Al Mehairi targeting top step of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East podium on home soil
Team championship prize a top priority for Skydive Dubai Falcon Racing Team
Dubai Autodrome hosts the fifth race weekend of the 2014-2015 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, featuring Round 9 and 10 of the regions’ premier racing series on Friday and Saturday, 27 and 28 February, where local hero Saeed Al Mehairi is targeting the top step of the podium in his home town.
Al Mehairi, who drives for the Skydive Dubai Falcon Racing Team, scored his maiden win last year in Round 3 at the Autodrome and sees the double header weekend at the venue as an ideal opportunity to add to his victory tally.
Speaking ahead of the race weekend, the young Emirati said, “For sure it is great to be back at my home track. Winning there in December will always be a special memory, but now I am focused on the future and what we can do this Friday and Saturday. Of course the target is always to win.”
Al Mehairi, along with teammate Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, make no secret of the fact that they are targeting the team title this year. They currently lie in second place, but only eight points behind leaders Al Nabooda Racing.
“Our programme has been made possible by Skydive Dubai and our goal is to win the team title for them,” revealed Al Mehairi. “Therefore individual glory is not part of the plan, but rather along with Sheikh Hasher we will work together to achieve the primary goal. Of course good results will help the cause, thus every race we go to the aim is to score maximum points.”
As for the cliched ‘home track advantage’ which is often bandied about in racing circles, Al Mehairi is wary.
“Of course being in my home town at the track which I know well is great, but really the level of drivers in this series is very high and they adapt to any circuit really fast. Many of them have done as many laps as me around the Autodrome, and enjoy racing in Dubai. In the end I think it is equal for everyone,” mused Al Mehairi.
“Of course Al Nabooda Racing, who lead the championsip at this point, are also racing in their hometown. So we have to give maximum effort no matter what happens,” said Al Mehairi.
Team manager Hadi Al Bloushi added, “Our goal remains the team championship for Skydive Dubai who we represent and have made this project possible along with TAG Heuer and Corthay.”
“Our home race is very important, but so are all the others. The championship is made up of 12 rounds and each one we tackle with one goal which is victort. The action plan is the same for our two races at the Autodrome this weekend and we have the drivers to do the job,” concluded Al Bloushi.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East is the highlight of what will be an action packed two days at the venue in Motorcity. Also on the bill will be two rounds of the NGK Racing Series featuring UAE Clio Cup, along with championship rounds of the Radical Middle East Cup, Formula Gulf 1000 and UAE Sportbikes.
Practices take place on Thursday, followed by races on Friday and Saturday, 27 and 28 February, with free entry for spectators who will have easy access to grandstands and a paddock packed with off-track entertainment.
