Birkin clinches 2,000cc title with strong finish to season at BIC

Tim Birkin clinched the 2016/2017 title of the BIC 2,000cc Challenge last Friday night.

Birkin did so in style, taking both a podium and a victory in the season’s seventh and final round, held at a brilliantly floodlit Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.
The veteran headed into the meeting as the championship leader and was heavily favoured to come away with the crown.

Only one other driver still had a mathematical chance of stealing away the championship, but chief rival Mohamed Faqihi had an unlucky finale. That helped seal the title for Birkin, who managed to finish his campaign strong with a third-place classification in race one and then a well-deserved victory in race two.

“I now know why Nico Rosberg resigned after winning his title; I’ve just been a nervous wreck, worrying about everything and anything possibly breaking down,” said a visibly relieved Birkin after the round’s podium ceremony.

“The first race was really nerve-wracking,” he added. “In the second race, I could let my hair down and go for it. Luckily, I came out in first place, which is a nice way to round off the season.”

Birkin has captured the maiden 2,000cc title of his career. The Abu Dhabi resident first made his debut in the BIC-based series in the 2008/2009 season, and has since consistently been one of championship frontrunners. He had previously come close to winning the crown twice in the past, namely in the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 campaigns.

“I can still remember my first race in the 2,000cc like it was yesterday,” Birkin commented. “I finished eighth out of 14 and I was quite happy, and it took me another four or five years to get onto the third step of the podium. But gradually my times improved and so did my results.

“This is a fantastic family in the Circuit Racing Club (CRC), where all the drivers are so friendly – there’s no wonder why it’s the longest-running championship in the region, It’s such a good one.”

Raed Himmo driving a Honda CIVIC topped qualifying to take the leading grid position in race one alongside Faqihi, who was also driving a CIVIC. Lee Stones in a BMW 3 Series/F20C started from third and Birkin, in a Honda Integra, was in fourth place.

Faqihi managed to gain the lead early on in the race, but after just four laps, he was forced to pull off to the side of the track with car trouble. He eventually retired from the 12-lap sprint.

Himmo went on to regain the lead and hold on to it until the chequered flag. He won in a total time of 16 minutes 29.038 seconds. Stones followed as the runner-up 5.507 seconds behind, while Birkin finished third 20.878s back. With his race one result, Birkin had already locked up the championship.

Ramzi Al Qassab (Honda CIVIC), Abdullah Ben Nakhi (Honda CIVIC EP3) and Martyna Al Qassab (Renault Clio Sport) rounded out the final classification. Both Faqihi and Michael Priester (Honda CRX) did not finish.

“I had to do a double take when I saw Mohamed go off the track, I couldn’t believe it!” Birkin said. “It took about 10 seconds to dawn on me that that was it, the championship was over, and it was mine. I felt sorry for Mohamed because nobody wants to win a championship that way, but nevertheless, I’m delighted to win it.”

In race two, Birkin started from fourth and Martyna was on pole. It didn’t take long before Birkin was in front. He finished the 12-lap event in 16:27.988. Birkin managed to beat Stones by just 0.271s at the end, while Himmo claimed third place 29.169s back.

Alqassab, Ben Nakhi, Martyna and Alqaoud rounded out the final classification. Faqihi did not start.

The winning drivers were presented their respective trophies after all the racing by officials from BIC and the Circuit Racing Club.

Birkin ended the 2,000cc season with 223 points while Faqihi followed by Himmo with 173 points. Martyna was ranked third on 164, while Faqihi went to fourth place with 164 poins.