Al Sulaiti consolidates top position with winning show at Losail Circuit

Doha: Popular Qatari rider Saeed Al Sulaiti has consolidated his position at the top of the rankings following one of the two races in Round 2 of the Qatar Superstock Championship 600 (QTSK). 

Al Sulaiti won the first race covering the 12-lap contest in a time of 25 minutes and 12.849 seconds, just 0.100 seconds ahead of his closest competitor Abdullah Al Qubaisi, who finished second with a time of 25.12.949. 

Veteran rider Meshaal Al Nuaimi ranked third after recording a time of 25.43.119 while Youssef Al Darwish finished fourth with a time of 25.47.350. Saud Al Thani completed the list of the first five positions with a time of 26.24.518. The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the championship decided to postpone the second race of Round 2 and decided to hold it during Round 3. 

The decision was taken due to heavy rain at Losail International Circuit, the venue of the championship races. 

After the end of the first race of Round 2, Al Sulaiti strengthened lead with 75 points. Al Sulaiti is 15 points ahead of his closest competitor Al Qubaisi, who has a tally of 60 points. Al Nuaimi has 48 points. 

“I had some issues with the gear but we overcame the problem in time. We did a great time in qualifying. We started from the front position We did an amazing lap time during warm-up and I felt confident going into the race,” Al Sulaiti said.

“Unfortunately at the beginning of the race. The seven laps out of 12 was tricky. The rain started and that put a risk to riders. We enjoyed riding then. Thankfully nobody crashed. In the last lap I manage to overtake him and finish the race in first position,” Al Sulaiti added. 

Qatari rider Saeed Al Sulaiti celebrates after winning the race.

In the “Trophy” category, Qatari rookie Yusef Al Darwish continued his brilliant riding to win the first race of Round 2. 

Al Darwish clocked a time of 25 minutes 47.350 seconds, 55.159 seconds ahead of closest rival Khaled Al Thani (26.37.337) while Canadian rider Stephen Turnbull finished third. After the first race of Round 2, Al Darwish added 25 points to increasing his overall tally to 75 points.

Khaled Al Remaihi, Vice President of Lusail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), said the ‘distinguished levels presented by the riders and drivers in the Qatar Touring Car Championship (QTCC) was good to see’.

“The young riders have become very keen to participate in the championship,” Al Remaihi said. 

“This has increased the number of participants in all classes of competitions. I see that the riding and driving levels have improved significantly despite the difficult atmosphere in the past two days,” he added.

When asked about the impact of strong winds on the races and participants over the weekend, Al Remaihi said riders and drivers stood to gain by competing in tough conditions.

“Certainly strong winds do not help drivers, but at the same time, the participants gain more experience in such tough conditions. That will undoubtedly benefit them in the future since every race has different circumstances and challenges, and it is better for our youth to face all circumstances so that they are ready for any scenario,” Al Remaihi remarked.

“The QTSL competition is very tough though Saeed Al Sulaiti succeeded in winning the race in tough conditions. This has happened thanks to his great experience, which had a major role in his superiority over Abdullah Al Qubaisi, who is a natural but does not have the experience of Al Sulaiti,” Al Remaihi said when asked about Al Sulaiti and Al Qubaisi.

The six-round series, which started on Jan 22, ends on Nov 6, 2021.