Some of the UAE's top drivers will be part of a special support race this weekend to mark the 10th anniversary of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will have two races, one Saturday and the second Sunday, ahead of the Formula One drivers taking to the track at Sakhir.
Lechner Racing, who organise the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, have confirmed that drivers from the series will be involved, including the Skydive Dubai Falcons team.
The Dubai-based duo of Saeed Al Mehairi and Khalid Al Mutawaa will be part of a grid of 17 Porsche drivers, including the reigning Porsche champion Zaid Ashkanani of Kuwait, Bahrain’s past Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East champion Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa and other racing veterans.
Al Mutawaa, who has been coaching the Skydive Dubai Falcons team throughout the series, now in its fifth season, will step in for Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, who will not be able to participate over the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. It is only the third time in the Middle East series that drivers have been given the chance to support a Formula One race weekend. The race Sunday will take place immediately before the grand prix.
“For any driver this is a dream come true, the chance to live and breathe a racing experience enjoyed by the quickest drivers in the world,” Al Mehairi said. “I’ve had some great moments in my debut Porsche season, finishing joint fifth overall and third in the team title. But this really is a perfect way to test everything I’ve learnt so far and sample the special Formula One atmosphere.
“Opportunities like this don’t come along very often. It will be a moment for all Arab drivers to shine.”
He said Sheikh Hasher “will be missed” but is “extremely excited to have Khalid Al Mutawaa” with him in Bahrain. “He has been handling the development of the team and has been by my side since I started racing,” Al Mehairi said.
Speaking on his Porsche GT3 race debut Al Mutawaa said: “I have been away from the track for almost a year now, managing my younger brother and coaching Sheikh Hasher and Saeed in the Porsche Middle East Championship.
“That has been my focus. However, it is time to get back in the car and continue the journey in motor sports that I started in 2006.”
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