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Sports / Qatar Sport

Al Khelaifi looks to shine in ‘exciting round’ at LIC

Published: 15 Dec 2017 - 07:55 pm | Last Updated: 06 Nov 2021 - 02:56 pm
Defending QTCC champion Abdulla Ali Al Khelaifi in action during the first round earlier this month.

Defending QTCC champion Abdulla Ali Al Khelaifi in action during the first round earlier this month.

The Peninsula

Top class action is on the cards as the second round of Qatar Touring Car Championship (QTCC) and the opening round of Qatar Superstock 600 are set to start today  at the Losail International Circuit ((LIC).

In the Qatar Touring Car Championship, after the first round that was held at the start of this month along with the FIA World Touring Car Championship, the defending QTCC champion Abdulla Ali Al Khelaifi is leading the standings with 36 points, only one point ahead of Saadon Al Kuwari who is second.

Al Khelaifi and Al Kuwari shared victories in the first round with thrilling battles in both races and the third place at the podium went to Adham El Dib, who is third in the standings.
“I am looking forward to another round of QTCC and I am sure this round will be more exciting and tougher than the previous one as Ibrahim is back and it will be more challenging to battle both Saadon and Ibrahim this time. Good luck to all the drivers,” Al Khelaifi said.
Al Kuwari also expects a very close battle in the front group.
 “It was very clear in the first round of QTCC that the championship title will be very close and challenging. I am really looking forward for another exciting round,” stated Al Kuwari.
Regarding the opening round of Qatar Superstock 600, Saeed Al Sulaiti is ready to start another season and defend the championship title. “I think that we are ready to start the season in a good way. After the official test we had last weekend, we managed to set the fastest laps both days and the feeling with the bike were very good,”said Al Sulaiti.
The runner up of the last season, Mishal Al Naimi, hopes that this weekend he can be faster in the official practice.
“During the official practice we suffered a lot with the strong winds and I wasn’t very fast. Hopefully, this weekend the weather will be better and we can get good results for the beginning of the season,” Al Naimi said.
Apart from the exciting competition that will be held in the front group with Al Sulaiti, Al Naimi, Al Malki, Al Sowaidi and the newcomer Hungarian rider Balint Kóvacs, it is expected that the QSTK Trophy category will also bring thrilling moments with Al Shammari, Al Mutawa and the Kuwaiti riders Al Zaidan and Al Shuaibi fighting in their category.
Today, QSTK track activity will start at 10am with the Free Practice 1 and QTCC activity starts at 2:30pm.
Tomorrow, QSTK Race 1 is scheduled at 11:30am and Race 2 at 2:30.
For QTCC, the first race is at 1pm and the second one at 4pm. There is free entrance for all the fans at the grandstand and also at the Paddock.