Kuwaiti star looks to overturn 12pt deficit

Kuwait’s Zaid Ashkanani has confirmed his focus remains only on winning the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East driver’s title when the region’s leading race series concludes as part of the official 2015 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend at the Sakhir International Circuit.

Despite recently announcing his forthcoming debut in GP3 this summer the 20-year old is determined to finish the season on a glorious high and finish with an outstanding performance to overturn a significant 12 point deficit against arch rival Clemens Schmid of Al Nabooda Racing.

UAE-based Schmid (240 points) a former champion is ahead of Ashkanani (228) in second position with Saeed Al Mehairi of Skydive Dubai Falcons (177).

Last year’s gripping climax in Bahrain saw Ashkanani win by the narrowest of margins over Schmid, by a single point as the series is set for another dramatic finish.

First from ME 

Ashkanani will then will join Team Campos in GP3 a support series to Formula One and will become the first ever driver from the Middle East to enter the single-seater championship.

For the Kuwaiti the prospect of GP3 racing remains a distant challenge with winning a successive Porsche GT3 title his immediate priority and goal, Ashkanani said:  “The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East has turned me into a racing driver after I started in karting with big hopes but this is where I got my opportunity to learn, develop and build what I hope to be a successful career in motorsport. It’s so competitive, there is simply nothing like it in the region to give experience to young drivers and to race professionally with a leading manufacturer like Porsche. Last year I won the championship in Bahrain over a quality grid which is the highlight of my career so far, retaining the title will be tough but not impossible and I can’t wait for the Bahrain on one of the Middle East’s biggest stages.”

For Team Campos 

Ashkanani will begin the new challenge of GP3 this summer for Team Campos in Barcelona for the first of nine rounds. Similar to Porsche Supercup series GP3 tours some of Europe’s most prestigious motor circuits including Silverstone and Monaco before GP3 concludes in a one-off round outside Europe at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Circuit.

This weekend’s Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East is the sixth and final round of the season and begins on Friday with first practice and qualifying, followed on Saturday with the opening race of the sixth race on Saturday and the final race on Sunday at 3.30pm ahead of the  2015 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.