DUBAI // There will be nowhere for Clemens Schmid to hide this weekend when Losail International Circuit in Qatar hosts its first daylight round of the Middle East’s Porche GT3 Cup Challenge.
The track, close to Doha, has hosted night racing since it joined the calendar in 2012 but, when the season reconvenes for 2015 on Friday, gone will be the shadowy off-track recesses and tricks of the light.
Instead, Schmid, the UAE-based driver with Al Nabooda Racing, will be greeted by unavoidable and inescapable natural light – and the notoriously hot Arabian Gulf sun.
With track temperatures likely to be the highest the series has experienced on the gas-rich peninsula, the focus will most certainly be on championship leader Schmid.
The Austrian arrives for the third round of the season in Qatar having won three of the four races held this season – there are two races in each round – and with a four-point lead over Kuwait’s Zaid Ashkanani at the top of the championship standings.
Ashkanani beat Schmid to the title last year and the latter is in no mood to relinquish his grip on his place at the top of the drivers’ table in this series.
“Obviously, I’m delighted to have secured the wins so far, but there is a long way to go in the season,” Schmid said.
“Last year ended well and it’s always nice to reach that end of year marker at the top of the standings, but one bad race could cost me the top spot and I do not want that to happen.
“I’ve always enjoyed the track in Qatar, we’ve got a packed field of excellent drivers, so it’s going to be exciting and we’ll be working to make sure 2015 starts in the same way it ended last year – with a podium finish.”
With fellow UAE race team Skydive Dubai Falcons carrying over their strong performances from last season, drivers Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Saeed Al Mehairi are likely to prove Schmid’s biggest challengers. The team have secured podiums at all four races.
“We have had a great start to season six and we want to keep this momentum going,” Sheikh Hasher said.
“Qatar is going to be another big test and there is definitely something symbolic about getting in the car for the first race of the year.
“For that reason, it’s going to be an extra special weekend and we will be making sure to stay focused on our main goal – a podium finish.”
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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