Defending champion Saeed Al Sulaiti of Qatar in action during a practice session of the Qatar Superstock 600 Championship at the Losail International Circuit yesterday.
Qatar’s Saeed Al Sulaiti, took the first pole position of the season in the Qatar Superstock 600 Championship (QSTK) with a lap time of 2:04.381, and will start today race from the front of the grid at Losail International Circuit yesterday.
Mashel Al Naimi did the second-best time at the superpole, 2:04.914 whereas Nasser Al Malki will start in third position on the grid.
Defending champion Al Sulaiti is happy with another superpole and ready for the race.
“At the Free Practice 1 I did only 2 laps just to make sure the bike was ok and I was able to make a good time with used tyres. For Free Practice 2, I was focusing to do some rhythm, getting ready for the race tomorrow and the time was consisting, so I think I am ready for the race,” said Al Sulaiti
Al Sulaiti said he will push for the race today from the second position on the grid.
“For the Superpole, I was expecting to be on pole position not really hard because the gap was a bit ok, but in the middle of superpole I was surprised as I was behind by a fraction so I really pushed hard and I really did one of my best laps. I thought that we will have the Ohlins racing suspensions for this round because they are better for my riding style and hopefully we can have them for the next round. Good luck for everybody and I will push for a win.”
Al Naimi who had fever and was not in the best fitness wise fought bravely to finish second.
“I was not feeling good and, I was in hospital this morning with high fever and I missed the free practice 1. Superpole 2 was better than free practice 2. I felt really tired inside the track, but overall, due to my condition I am happy my lap time and start second in the grid,” Al Naimi said.
In the QSTK Trophy , the fastest rider was Essa Al Mutawa with a lap time of 2:10.733.
At the second round of Qatar Touring Car Championship, the leader of the standings, Abdullah Al Khelaifi was the fastest driver during the Free Practice session, with a lap time of 2:26.081. Saadon Al Kuwari was second with 2:26.739.
During the Qualifying session, Al Khelaifi took the pole position with a lap time of 2:24.128 and Adham El Dib finished in second place with a lap time of 2:25.551. Mahmoud Al Khalaf finished third in the Qualifying session, with a time of 2:25.638.
Al Khelaifi was very happy with the results of the practice sessions.
“First, in the free practice I had to test several set ups to use in the qualifying and I found the good spots and luckily in the qualifying I was the first one to go outside, so the track was clean, no one was in front of me so I was able to focus and broke actually the record, that is really great.
“Hope that I can catch at least Adham because he starts tomorrow from second place and he has the advantage in the straight line and definitely he will pass me , so I will try to attack him in the breaking zone and continue until the end of the race,” Al Khelaifi said.
El Dib, who finished third in the previous race, is looking forward to the race and try to be again in the podium.
“The track is fantastic today, very gripy beyond belief and the car is in great shape I did change some tyre settings and it worked as magic. I am very happy with today results and looking for another podium.”
Today, QSTK Race 1 starts at 11:30 and Race 2 at 14:30. For QTCC, the first race is scheduled at 13:00 and the second race at 16:00.
Qatar Superstock 600 and Qatar Touring Car Championship are organised by Losail Circuit Sports Club and Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation with Pirelli Qatar and Inside as sponsors of both championships.
The Karting track will be also opened today from 2pm to 7pm.
