De Haan sets pace in Porsche Carrera Cup practices

TDT | Manama                                              

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Dutchman Robert De Haan kick-started the 2023/2024 season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East (PCCME) by topping the timesheets in the opening round’s two practice sessions yesterday at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.

The PCCME is supporting the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain this weekend, marking the final round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship. In the first session held in the morning, De Haan, competing for Central Europe Racing, had a best lap time of two minutes 04.087 while completing 13 laps of work.

German Theo Oeverhaus of DHL Team followed narrowly behind just 0.027 seconds off De Haan’s pace, while Oeverhaus’s countryman Colin Boenighausen of Fire Racing finished third overall 0.327s back. All three drivers were also the leaders in the PCCME’s Pro category.

Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Alahmadi, driving for Saudi Racing, spearheaded the ProAm class with a best lap of 2:04.806; while Italian Sebastian Gorga of R1SE Motorsport was the pace-setter in the Am category with a fastest lap time of 2:05.547.

Bahrain’s Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, competing for Team Bahrain, was right behind Gorga in 2:05.975. In yesterday’s second practice, De Haan maintained his fine form and didn’t let up as the floodlights lit up BIC in the early evening. De Haan’s best lap was this time 2:02.284 seconds to lead a one-two for Central Europe Racing.

Teammate and compatriot Flynt Schuring followed 0.496s behind, while Boenighausen completed the top three overall and in the PCCME’s Pro category 0.887s back. Alahmdi was again quickest amongst the ProAm runners with a fastest lap of 2:03.689, while Gorga led the Am category for the second straight session with a lap of 2:04.258.

Shaikh Jaber bin Ali Al Khalifa followed in the Am rankings for One% team while Shaikh Salman was fourth in class. The PCCME field returns to action today morning for qualifying, scheduled for an 11.10am start, while race one will be held later in the day at 6pm.