QMMF by HRT Thuraya team in action during Friday's practice at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
DOHA: Just days after winning their second podium spot in the Middle East Trophy Powered by Hankook 2022/2023 in Dubai, Qatar’s QMMF by HRT Thuraya (car #929) team on Friday began their bid for the regional title at the famed Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
The team’s Porsche 911 car is driven by popular Qatari drivers Abdulla Ali Al Khelaifi, Ghanim Al Maadheed, and Ibrahim Al Abdulghani while German semi-pro Julian Hanses joins as a fourth behind the steering wheel.
The Abu Dhabi race – a six-hour endurance test – is the second round of the 24-Hour Series and also the third round of the Middle East Endurance championship, following stops in Kuwait (12 hours) and the Dubai (24 hours) endurance races.
The 992 class in the Middle East Trophy series is currently led by Willi Motorsport by Ebimotors (60 points) with NKPP by HRT Performance (50) in the second spot, while Team Thuraya sits in the third spot with 44 points.
The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) Executive Director Amro Al Hamad said: “The car number 929, Team Thuraya did really well. And they’re now contenders for the title of the Middle East Championship. Since they scored third in Kuwait, and second in Dubai, depending on the results in Abu Dhabi, there might be a big chance that they win the Middle East Endurance title if they get good results.”
Amro also said the team’s participation in the series is part of a long-term plan set out by the QMMF.
“This is part of the long plan. It was not just a coincidence that they have these results or us competing for the Middle East title. It is part of a long-term plan for the QMMF to move motorsports from what was perceived as an individual sport to a group sport or a team sport. Now the drivers can work together.
"They have a very close relationship professionally. They have to carry each other and support each other to be able to score a win,” Amro added.
Following free practice and the qualifying rounds, the race flags off at 3:00 pm Qatar time on Saturday.
