Teenager bids for glory in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East before studies take him overseas 21.12.2010: Record-breaker Fahad aims for winning return to Saudi Fahad Algosaibi - stepping up his bid for the Porsche GT3 Cup title Record-breaking teenager Fahad Algosaibi has set his sights on a winning return

Record-breaker Fahad aims for winning return to Saudi




Fahad Algosaibi - stepping up his bid for the Porsche GT3 Cup title

 Record-breaking teenager Fahad Algosaibi has set his sights on a winning return to Saudi Arabia next month in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East as he aims to bid a victorious farewell to circuit racing in the region.

The talented young Saudi driver whose family is Bahrain-based plans to step up his attempt to land the Porsche GT3 Cup title in his last season before beginning studies overseas to become an industrial engineer.

“My aim is to do the best I can do, and that’s win the championship,” said Algosaibi. “I’m aiming as high as I can to motivate myself as this is my last year before I go abroad.”

While still a 16-year, Algosabi became the youngest ever winner in the history of Porsche one-make series racing worldwide in Round 10 of the 2009-10 season in March at Reem International Circuit, outside Riyadh.

It was a memorable occasion in more ways than one, as he produced a brilliant drive to edge out Saudi’s Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal who still managed to secure the Porsche GT3 Cup crown with second place.

The memory of that win could inspire Algosaibi to more success when the series returns to Reem for Rounds 5 & 6 of the current season on January 19-20.

“To win is definitely my target, and I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “What I like about Reem is that it’s a unique circuit, and a very technical one which tests a driver’s ability. I really enjoy racing there. I love the way the circuit flows.”

After a disappointing start to the new season at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit where he finished fourth and seventh over the double race weekend, Algosaibi hauled himself back into the title race during Rounds 3 & 4 at Bahrain International Circuit recently.

Runner-up to Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa in the first race he took third place as Prince Abdulaziz grabbed victory 24 hours later.

The only driver to grab two podium places that weekend, Algosaibi now lies fourth in the championship standings, with Salman heading Abdulaziz by two points, and he is keen to step up his challenge.

“We did a lot of work in testing in Bahrain and I was very happy with the car’s set up,” he said. “That made me feel very confident and knew I could do well. We’re all improving as drivers. The lap times in Bahrain were very close and with so little to choose between us it’s going to be very interesting for the rest of the series.”




Championship positions after four rounds:

1. Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH)            72pts   
2. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Al Faisal Racing Team        70pts   
3. Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE) tolimit Arabia            64pts   
4. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing        57pts   
5. Bandar Alesayi (KSA)                    54pts   
6. Musaed Al Murar (UAE) tolimit arabia             39pts   
7. Ibrahim Salloum (UAE) Abu Dhabi Falcon Racing    34pts   
8. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing         27pts   
9. Faisal Binladen (KSA) Saudi Falcon Racing        22pts   
10. Johannes Waimer (GER)                    15pts





- Tony Lewis, Total Communication Dubai - also photos