QMMF gets set to host night races at Losail

Round seven of this year’s Qatar International Road Racing Championship (QIRRC) will be held under floodlights today. This was disclosed by Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, President of Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF). “This round will be held after sunset. We are approaching peak summer and it is better for everybody involved with racing to take part in our events at night,” Al Attiyah said. Round round six of QIRRC was held last month.

“It will be a welcome relief for all the riders, drivers, marshals and volunteers, who manage our race events,” the QMMF president said. “We have finalised the timetable,” he added. Last month, Australian rider Alex Cudlin won the 2011 QIRRC title with a round to spare. In sapping heat, Cudlin won both the races in round six of QIRRC on way to his first title in Qatar. Last year’s runners-up, Cudlin survived a tense session in race one before securing the title at Losail International Circuit.

“It is a good result for me. I was thinking so much about the championship title that I lost concentration in the first race. But I got back to real racing just in time,” Cudlin said with a smile. “I had a great battle against Nasser. It was a fantastic race. “It was tough but I won and I am thrilled about it,” the Australian added. “I finished second last season and I thought a lot about the 2011 season last year. I prepared well and now I am set for endurance next week,” Cudlin said. The Australian, who rides a Suzuki, has 291 points from six rounds of the seven-race championship.

Second-placed Al Malki said: “It was a good battle with Alex. I thank my sponsors and QMMF for their support. We have a long season to go. I am happy with my performance.” Al Malki, who rides a BMW bike, has 181 points from six races whereas Yousef Maged Al Malki (Honda) is in third spot with 164 points with just one race to go.

On the same day, Ahmad Ghaith Al Kuwari (Mitsubishi) won the open class category in QIRRC by finishing round four ahead of Dutchman Rob Frijns (Porsche). Al Kuwari finished the 10-lap car race with a time of 22 minutes 22.203 seconds. Frijns finished in second spot, 27.599 seconds adrift of Al Kuwari.

Despite finishing second, Frijns hold the top spot on the points table. The Dutchman has a tally of 60 points after four rounds in the seven-race championship. Second-placed Al Kuwari has 50 points whereas Saadon Al Kuwari – who did not start yesterday – is in third place with 32 points. “I am disappointed to have finished in second spot. I know there were just two drivers in the production class but I still feel as if I lost the race. The car overheated a little but I managed to finish the race,” Frijns said.

“Anyway, I don’t want to make this sound like an excuse but Ahmad did well. I had to compete in the race so that I have chance to win the championship. I had to go watch my son compete in Germany, but I stayed back to complete this round as I am looking forward to winning the championship,” the Dutchman said. “I don’t want to skip any round for any reason,” he added.

source: The Peninsula