Zaid Ashkanani has been racing competitively for only three years, but the Kuwaiti already has been entrusted, along with teammate Jeffrey Schmidt, with bringing the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Championship to their new team, the UAE-based Al Nabooda Racing.
The new season begins at the Bahrain International Circuit on Friday, a venue Ashkanani has fondmemories of.
“This is the first circuit I ever drove on,” Ashkanani, 21, said. “So in a way it’s like my home track. From a very young age I’ve been racing in Bahrain. I was 16 when I started practicing here.”
So far, it has been a positive start for Ashkanani, with the team leading practice sessions on the first day and placing second on the second day.
“I feel comfortable in the car. The team is still working on it, to improve it even more, but for a start it’s been great,” he said. “Even though I’m used to the circuit, in the end there are varying conditions, and things are different from one car to another. But as a circuit, yes, I know it well.”
He said having the German Schmidt alongside him can only improve his performances this season.
“Of course, he has a lot of experience in racing, especially in this car,” Ashkanani said. “Having him as colleague is great; I can learn from him.”
Ashkanani said that while the weather conditions have been fine, and he expects more at the weekend, he still harbours concerns over the tyres.
“The track in Bahrain is particularly very hard on the tyres,” he said. “That’s one of the important things: we have to maintain the tyres throughout the race.
“The main aim is to win the championship with the team.
“Of course, every driver hopes to be individual champion, but first, hopefully, with hard work we can win the championship.”
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