Al Harthy closing in on 2012 title

Silverstone National Circuit will play host to the penultimate round of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB season on October 6-7, where Omani driver Ahmad Al Harthy aims to take a firmer grip on the Pro-Am 1 title race. Having sealed his 10th class victory of the season at Rockingham Ahmad left the Corby venue with a 48 point lead and the 31-year-old knows more podium success at the home of the British Grand Prix a few days from now will protect that cushion. "This is going to be another big weekend for me and everyone at the Oman Air Racing Team-, said Ahmad, "Silverstone is always a great track to visit and I'm looking forward to being back there. It's getting into the crucial last few races but I'm still not thinking about the championship, we'll just go out there and try and win both races as usual.- With 10 wins from 16 rounds and a total of 14 podiums for the season so far, the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Nawras, National Bank of Oman and Muscat Eye Laser Centre-supported driver has enjoyed a remarkable year in Porsche Carrera Cup GB. Beginning the 2012 campaign with two podiums at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, Ahmad duly claimed his first wins of the season at Donington Park during the second weekend of the championship and hasn't looked back since. The Omani did compete at Silverstone earlier this year of course, albeit on the much longer Grand Prix configuration during the FIA Formula One World Championship-supporting Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race, but the 1.64-mile National Circuit is also a layout he always enjoys. "We always have close races on the National Circuit and as it's such a short lap the races are always long, just under 30 laps, which is quite demanding-, added Ahmad, "Anything can happen in races that long so we're not taking anything for granted at all, we've had a fantastic season so far with so many high points but we just need to stay focused and take it round by round. "I'm so grateful for all the support from everyone in Oman, our amazing sponsors and all of the guys at the Oman Air Racing Team who have honestly done an incredible job all year. We'll be pushing as hard as ever at the weekend.- Porsche Carrera Cup GB testing will take place at Silverstone on Friday, October 5, with qualifying for rounds 17 and 18 following on Saturday, October 6. On Sunday, October 7, race one will begin the day's action with race two, which will be screened live in the UK and streamed online at the www.itv.com/btcc website, getting underway at 15.45. 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship -“ Pro-Am1 Driver Standings (after Rd16): 1. Ahmad Al Harthy, 141pts. Times of Oman