- Published: May 14 2008
It was a double podium finish for Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa in the two races that made up the penultimate round of the Batelco-sponsored 2000CC Challenge this weekend.
Going head-to-head against top rival Mustafa Al Khan, Shaikh Salman managed to maintain the lead and steal not one, but two first place finishes in the race which was organised by the Circuit Racing Club under the umbrella of the Bahrain Motor Federation.
12 line up the starting grid
Speaking at the end of the most intense 2000CC weekend yet, Shaikh Salman was delighted to win his 12th race of the season adding that it was a superb response to the challenges and competition from Mustafa Al Khan on the grid and in the media. He added that he was looking forward to the final round of the season later this month where he hoped to pick up more victories.
The seventh round saw 12 drivers lining up the grid, and a new participation from Bahraini driver Ahmed Kozbar in the most recent addition to the Challenge, a Ford Focus Zetec 2.0. Unfortunately for Kozbar, he was forced to pull out of the round after facing technical difficulties during the qualifiers.
Shaikh Salman does it again
The first race saw history repeat itself as Shaikh Salman went head-to-head against Mustafa Al Khan on the track over the 10-lap race. As Shaikh Salman started in first place during the first race, he managed to wedge out Mustafa Al Khan and hold on firmly to pole position over the 10 laps with a 2.317 second gap.
But the race took a turn for Essa Al Kooheji and Mike Spahn after they collided, Al Kooheji had to withdraw from the race following severe damage to his car. In the meanwhile. Ali Al Kobaisi’s third place result was annulled due to car’s weight restrictions which put Mohammed Saleh in third instead. Fastest lap went to Shaikh Salman who recorded a time of 1:22.310 minutes.
The results after the first race: 1. Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa; 2. Mustafa Al Khan; 3. Mohammed Saleh; 4. Mike Spahn; 5. Rashed Al Jowder; 6. Osama Al Boflasa; 7. Karl Tschersich; 8. Faisal Raffii; 9. Carina Ghuloom; Ahmed Kozbar had to sit out of the race whilst Essa Al Kooheji was forced to withdraw as Ali Al Kobaisi’s result was annulled.
Toughest fight of the season for Al Khan and Shaikh Salman
The second race of the weekend was awarded most thrilling and nail-biting performance of the season as the toughest battle between Al Khan and Shaikh Salman was seen as they fought for the lead. An intense start saw Al Khan steal the lead and hold onto it for several laps after which Shaikh Salman managed to glide into first place once again with a 1.435 second lead, overtaking Al Khan and clinching first place after several near-collisions. Al Khan, however, managed to clinch the fastest lap in the second race with a time of 1:22.066 minutes.
The results at the end of the seventh round: 1. Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa; 2. Mustafa Al Khan; 3. Ali Al Kobaisi; 4. Mohammed Saleh; 5. Mike Spahn; 6. Essa Al Kooheji; 7. Karl Tschersich; 8. Rashed Al Jowder; 9. Osama Al Boflasa; 10. Faisal Raffii; 11. Carina Ghuloom.
To conclude the end of the action-packed penultimate round of the season, Batelco awarded the winners with monetary prizes and trophies.