Y - Issue 162 - March 22, 2011 - Y-oman.com

Al Harthy gears up again
He’s won the nation over with
his talent on track, earned
the respect of some of the
best racers in the world; his
achievements are tremendous,
and he’s back, and hungry for
more glory
Revving and ready to go, Omani racing star Ahmad Al Harthy has confirmed at a press
conference held recently that he is prepared to return to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB
Championship this year; and he owes it to the support of some of the country’s largest and
most prestigious businesses.
Oman Air has generously opted to increase its commercial involvement as a full title
sponsor for this year and telecommunications company Nawras continues to support for
the second season. The National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, Ministry of Sports Affairs
and the Ministry of Tourism too confirm their continuous support, with Al Harthy carrying
on with his role as Brand Ambassador.
Thoroughly pleased with his comeback and the support from his sponsors Al Harthy
expresses his gratitude saying, “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to confirm my return to
the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this year, it’s a fantastic championship. I have to thank Oman
Air, Nawras, National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, the Ministry of Sports Affairs and the
Ministry of Tourism for their amazing support. Without them I wouldn’t be racing and I
wouldn’t have the privilege of flying the flag for Oman.”
The new season begins at Brands Hatch in Kent on the 2nd and 3rd of April, and will
conclude on the 15th and 16th of October at the Silverstone in Northamptonshire. In late-
June, Al Harthy will be looking forward specially to experiencing his first-time thrill of the
world-famous Nurburgring-Nordschleife in Germany – one of motorsports most sought
after challenges.
Al Harthy fans can indulge in his first official appearance of this year on the annual Porsche
Carrera Cup GB Media Day taking place on 22nd March at the Snetterton 300 Circuit in
Norfolk, and can keep track of his progress in the year by visiting his Facebook fan page
at www.facebook.com/pages/Ahmad-Al-Harthy/111700892183537 or on Twitter@
AlHarthyRacing.
Drag-on to the Finish
Spitting fire from its exhausts, these weren’t just vehicles
racing to the finishing line but instead enraged dragons hungry
for glory
Speed enthusiasts in the Gulf have something to cheer about as the
Yas Drag Racing Centre brings the fuel, fire and fury of drag racing
to the Middle East region. Sporting state-of-the-art facilities specially
designed for drag racing, the venue is a hub for motor aficionados,
bringing the thrill of a rocketing car into a controlled environment.
Hosts of the Drag Racing Festival, Yas, welcomed 65 leading drag
racers from across the GCC to participate in the competition that
saw a wide range of purpose-built drag cars and motorcycles roar
down the track. The competition was divided into seven classes of
professional racing – Pro Modified, Outlaw 10.5, Super Eliminator
(7.50 Index), Pro Bike, Super Street Bike, Pro 6 and Super Street 8.
Ecstatic about the number of entrants, Head of the Yas Drag Racing
Centre, Rashed Al Qubaisi said prior to the competition, “It will be a
great turn-out of our region’s leading drivers. Even more pleasing is
the increased number of countries in the region that we are attracting
entrants from. It shows the increasing popularity of drag racing in
the GCC.”
Already made popular last year after being named the ‘Motorsport
Event of the Year’ by CAR Middle East magazine, and drawing in
crowds of 5,000 people, this year’s demonstrations from Martin Hill in
the world’s fastest jet-powered Funny Car and Rod Fuller, interacting
with spectators simply adds to its popularity and success.
Lucky spectators also got the rare opportunity to ride in a three-seat
Super Comp dragster, an experience that is sure to stay with them
for a long time. Another memorable moment for fans present at the
event was to see Yas Top Fuel driver Hot Rod Fuller go head-to-head
with FIA Top Fuel World Champion, Urs Erbacher.
“Yas Marina Circuit is proud to organise such an event and we are
looking forward to bringing some new experiences for our UAE fans
to build on last year’s successful event,” Al Qubaisi said before the
event.
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