DUBAI // Clemens Schmid will drive in the first round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East next month, despite his car being left in “1,000 pieces” after a high-speed crash in Germany last weekend.
The Austrian, who won the 2012/13 championship and was second last year, was scheduled to appear at the unveiling of Al Nabooda Racing’s driver line-up in Dubai on Tuesday, but he was unable to travel after being ordered by a doctor to rest and recover from a mild concussion.
Schmid, 24, competing in the 17th round of the Carrera Cup at Hockenheim on Sunday, spun off the track before re-entering and being hit forcefully from behind by another competitor.
Both drivers safely exited their cars unassisted and Schmid’s team manager, Walter Lechner, said his compatriot will be fine to compete in the opening round of the GT3 season in Bahrain on November 14.
“The car is in 1,000 pieces, but Clemens was able to step out of the car and insisted he was fine,” Lechner said Tuesday.
“He had to go to the medical centre and the doctor said he should take it easy for a couple of days to recover, as he was suffering a little bit from concussion.”
Schmid will be joined this season at Al Nabooda Racing, the reigning champions, by Ahmad Al Harthy. The pair look to secure their marque a third consecutive team championship.
The Omani made his debut in the series in 2011/12 when he contested eight rounds and won his first race, in Abu Dhabi.
“I’ve always rated that win at Yas Marina Circuit as one of my greatest achievements,” Al Harthy said. “To win a race that had the best Middle East drivers always provides a great sense of pride.”
The series is in its sixth season and will this year race in Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar. With Al Nabooda Racing having won the previous two championships, team manager Vijay Rao, seated next to the team’s trophies as they glinted in the morning sun, spoke of his intention of “pulling off the hat-trick”.
“Our success over the past two seasons has made us eager for more, but it has also made us the team to beat,” Rao said. “We’ll need to work harder than ever to keep hold of our No 1 spot, but we have a combination of drivers who are up to the task.”
Like all motorsports, the one-make series requires steep financial investment. The Porsche GT3 cup car costs US$231,000 (Dh848,400) and depreciates by roughly $40,000 per season.
Participation fees are as high as $135,000, and the additional expense of fuel, brakes, tyres and more, and the series requires serious commitment.
Al Harthy promised to provide exactly that.
“This season, I expect the grid to definitely be a lot stronger,” he said. “But I am determined to learn as much as possible from Clemens and am totally dedicated to getting the best results for the team.”
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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