The title race in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East has one more leg to run later this month, but Abdulaziz Al Faisal looks every inch a champion after proving again in Qatar that he is the man for the big occasion. He made history as the first ever Porsche GT3 Cup race winner when the series was launched in Bahrain in December 2009, and his latest success at the Losail International Circuit, was equally significant. It marked another milestone for the Porsche one-make series which has now united all five of the region's top race circuits, having already become a familiar attraction in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain and Reem (Saudi Arabia). The addition of Losail to the championship circuit has given it another dimension, creating a spectacular night time stage for the Porsche GT3 Cup Cars, a record 18 of which went into dramatic action in Friday's night's Round 9 of the 2011-12 season. It was the series' first ever night race. This was GT racing at its best, as Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah, President of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, became the latest senior Middle East motor racing official to acclaim the Porsche GT3 Cup series. “It is very exciting and professional, and I hope we will have a long partnership with the Porsche GT3 Cup,” said Al-Attiyah. In Round 9 here, Abdulaziz powered his way ahead and produced an immaculate drive en route to his fourth victory of the season, his 19th GT3 Cup win overall, and a 24-point championship lead over Bandar Alesayi who could manage only fifth place. Clemens Schmid had an eventful race, eventually winning a personal battle with Abdulaziz's Saudi teammate, Saeed Al-Mouri, to claim second position. He was followed by the UAE's jubilant Karim Al-Azhari, marking only his third appearance in the series with Dubai's Al-Nabooda Racing by getting past Al-Mouri on the final corner to record his first podium finish. There were celebrations also for the host country, as Saadon Al-Kuwari came out on top in the intermediate class Michelin Silver Trophy while fellow-Qatari Abdul Rahman Al-Thani headed the bronze category Mobil 1 Trophy standings on his GT3 Cup debut.
