De Haan triumphs in Porsche Carrera Cup at BIC

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Robert De Haan of the Netherlands triumphed last night in the season-opening race of the 2023/2024 Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East (PCCME), held in support of this weekend’s Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

The Central Europe Racing team driver won from pole following a tough battle with German Theo Oeverhaus of DHL Team.

Only 1.028 seconds separated the pair at the chequered flag after 12 laps of exciting action along BIC’s 5.412-kilometre track.

Colin Boenighausen, also from Germany, came third for FIRE Racing 3.499s behind to complete the overall podium. All three drivers were also the top-placers in the PCCME’s Pro class.

De Haan’s victory continued his near-perfect weekend at BIC, in which he also topped the timesheets in the meeting’s two practices while capturing pole for race one in qualifying. He is set to start today’s second race on the front row in second position.

Taking the honours in the ProAm category last night was Canadian Bashar Mardini of Team BMR, who finished sixth overall; while winning the Am class was Italian Sebastian Gorga of R1SE Motorsport, who was 10th overall in the 16-car field.

Team Bahrain’s Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa and Shaikh Jaber bin Ali Al Khalifa of One% team joined Gorga on the Am category podium.

The PCCME’s second race of this round is set for today, scheduled for an 11am start with Oeverhaus on pole.