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GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, UAE’s Bashar Mardini returns to Bahrain for Round 5 , Preview
Organiser of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East series calls for ‘cool heads’ as championship enters critical stage

This weekend the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East returns to the Bahrain International Circuit for the penultimate round of Season 8 with the championship’s manager calling for drivers to stay cool and calm behind the wheel.

Over four dramatic rounds of world-class racing Walter Lechner, the series organiser and motorsport legend, has witnessed the pressure grow with every race as the chance to seize silverware comes closer to the grasp of several drivers.

Only two rounds remain and the stakes are higher than ever in what has been without doubt the most competitive season in the championship’s long and prestigious history. A bigger and more international grid has resulted in every category in the drivers standings staying wide open with a small number of points separating those holding the top positions.

Speaking ahead of Round 5 in Bahrain UAE based driver Bashar Mardini said: “The championship has been very close this season and the fact that with only two rounds left to go there are no runaway leaders in any of the categories, makes everything that much more exciting. The level of competition is so high and each driver is more than capable of finishing on the podium if things go their way. I will continue to push hard for a top three finish in my category, I am 26 points behind third place as it stands going into Bahrain, and I will be giving everything I have to close this gap over the remaining rounds!”

In the race for the overall driver’s title the consistency of Ryan Cullen (188 pts) has seen the Irishman open up a gap of 23 points over second placed Charlie Frijns (168 pts) of Qatar and Britain’s Tom Oliphant (152 pts) third a further 16 points further back.

Series Manager Walter Lechner added: “This season has been one of the very best with new rivalries and fierce competition stretching throughout the grid. So it’s simply impossible to predict who will be on the podium at the end of each race. It’s been a joy to watch.

“Already eight different drivers have graced the top three steps of the podium in the overall race. Drivers from eight different nations with different levels of experience all bidding for glory. It’s exactly what drivers and fans want. It’s what I want to see but with the margins between winning and losing so small there is a fine line between brilliant driving and simply taking too many risks. It’s my responsibility to ensure drivers know where that line is and they stay on the right side of it.”

In the final four races, 100 points can be won and less than 60 points separate the top four drivers in the overall championship. 30 points split the top three drivers in the silver category, and a mere 22 points lie between the top three drivers in the bronze category.

Remarkably five of the top ten drivers in the overall standings are making their Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East debut. Five of those newcomers are aged twenty-five years or younger, demonstrating that the power of the platform’s formula to help young careers in motorsport progress is clearly working.

Lechner further commented: “We’re entering a critical stage and who knows if experience, talent, or hunger will prevail. I’m intrigued to find out. But when it’s this close on the track and rivals not willing to leave gaps between themselves then I need to ensure that driver safety and wellbeing prevails above all else.

“It is great to see such determination and fight amongst all the drivers on the grid this season. However we want to see drivers competing safely no matter how much they want to win. I will be hoping that the message is well received amongst all drivers especially the young and inexperienced racers. Then we can look forward to an exciting but safe climax to the season.”

On 10th and 11th March, Round 5 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East will head back to the Bahrain International Circuit as the drivers prepare for the penultimate round of this season 8 championship blockbuster.


Championship standings after Round 4 of 6 – Season 8

Name Country Category Points
1st Ryan Cullen IRE Gold 188
2nd Charlie Frijns QAT Gold 165
3rd Tom Oliphant GBR Gold 152
4th Al Faisal Al Zubair OMN Silver 131
5th Dylan Pereira LUX Gold 129
6th Bander Alesayi KSA Silver 125


GCC Rookie Championship standings after Round 4 of 6– Season 8

Name Country Category Points
1st Al Faisal Al Zubair OMA Silver 131
2nd Isa S. Al Khalifa BAH Bronze 82
3rd Isa A. Al Khalifa BAH Silver 53
4th Mohammad Al Saud KSA Bronze 36



All reports on the previous season can be found in our archive.