AL HARTHY AIMING FOR STRONG CONCLUSION DURING GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE ENDURANCE SEASON FINALE

International GT3 racing driver Ahmad Al Harthy returns to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend, 9th/10th October, for the final race of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup season – an event in which the Oman Racing driver is setting his sights high.

After a competitive return to GTWCE Endurance Cup last month at the Nurburgring in Germany, after two years away from the category, the two-time Pro-Am Champion is determined to mount the strongest challenge possible a few days from now at the wheel of the No.97 Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

Teaming with Italy’s Giacomo Petrobelli and Aston Martin factory driver Charlie Eastwood – the Northern Irishman returning to Oman Racing having been forced to miss the previous round – Al Harthy is relishing his first race in Barcelona since wrapping-up his second Pro-Am title back in 2019. 

“We’re looking forward to being back out in the Oman Racing car again, especially in such a competitive championship as GT World Challenge Europe Endurance”, said the Omani, “It’s the last race of the season in GTWCE and we’re really hoping to end it on a high. We raced well in Germany during the previous round, and can’t wait to be back on track in Barcelona.

“Once again, we’ll be looking to improve the car throughout every session and work on our race pace to make sure we have the best car possible. It’s going to be fantastic teaming again with both Charlie and Giacomo, hopefully we can enjoy a very strong weekend.”

In what has been a very positive year for Al Harthy across a variety of championships, the Omantel, OQ and Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth supported driver is hoping for more success in Barcelona with a return to the Pro-Am podium.

In a series as competitive as it has ever been, that is easier said than done. But the Omani has huge confidence in not only his team-mates but also the TF Sport squad which engineers and prepares the Oman Racing Aston Martin Vantage. 

Having been on the racing sidelines for almost the entirety of last year due to the restrictions enforced worldwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Al Harthy put together a mixed programme of track competition for 2021 and has enjoyed considerable success.

First embarking on a debut in the four-round Asian Le Mans Series in the Middle East, the Oman Racing driver then made a winning return to the British GT Championship in August with team-mate Eastwood – Al Harthy’s first outing in the category in six years. Little more than a week later, Al Harthy and Michael Dinan celebrated podium glory in the prestigious ‘Road To Le Mans’ in France.

The final event of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup will begin with testing on Friday, 8th October, ahead of additional free practice and pre-qualifying on Saturday, 9th October.

Final qualifying will take place on Sunday, 10th October, at 09.00 local time with the three-hour race getting underway at 15.00 local time. As always, live online streaming of all of the action will be available HERE

Source. Marc Orme/Photo. Sro Motorsports Group