DUBAI // Al Nabooda Racing’s Clemens Schmid made up for Friday’s awful start when he shot off the mark on Saturday to win Race 2 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at the Dubai Autodrome.
In Race 1 on Friday, Schmid qualified on the pole but he finished fifth after a sluggish start.
This time there were no such problems as he bolted off the line from second position on the starting grid and overtook defending champion Zaid Ashkanani of Kuwait. Schmid held onto his lead to register his third win in four races. Ashkanani finished second, ahead of Emirati driver Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum of Skydive Dubai Falcons, the latter’s second podium finish of the weekend.
Schmidt won over Ashkanani by 0.586 seconds.
“It definitely wasn’t an easy race, although I had a good start and got out in front,” he said. “Leading from the front can often be difficult, as the there is no room for error and Zaid was right behind me the whole way. After yesterday’s disappointing results, I was keen to do better, but I was pushed all the way by the competition.
“Obviously, I’m delighted to get the win in front of the home fans and secure those crucial points for myself and the team. It’s a great end to a great weekend of racing.”
Skydive Dubai had a weekend of mixed fortunes, having secured their first victory in the series on Friday through the UAE’s Saeed Al Mehairi.
Yesterday, he finished fifth.
Sheikh Hasher grabbed third in both races.
“It’s definitely been one of our best weekends,” Sheikh Hasher said. “Saeed didn’t do as well today as yesterday, but overall, we are happy and I am very happy to have secured a podium in each race.
“Now we have a few weeks to rest and recover from the weekends and come out with all cylinders firing in Qatar next month.”
Following a winter break, the series moves to Losail International Circuit Autodrome near Doha for Round 3, set for January 23 and 24.
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)