Skydive Dubai close the gap in Porsche GT3 Challenge Middle East

Schmid sits out after being charged with dangerous driving

Skydive Dubai took full advantage of championship leader Clemens Schmid's absence from Round 5 to put themselves in title contention. Courtesy Jorge Ferrari

DUBAI // It was a weekend to remember for Skydive Dubai duo Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Saeed Al Mehairi as the pair secured back-to-back podiums on Saturday in Round 5 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at the Dubai Autodrome.

Meanwhile, Al Nabooda Racing lost momentum in the individual and team championships after their star driver Clemens Schmid was banned from taking part in Race 2 and rival Zaid Ashkanani took advantage.

The Kuwaiti leapfrogged Schmid into first in the drivers’ championship and opened up a three-point gap over his Al Nabooda rival on 199. The Austrian’s lack of points from the weekend also allowed two-time champion Abdulaziz Al Faisal to draw level on 196.

Al Nabooda still lead the team race with 341 points, but Saudi Falcons (320) and Skydive Dubai (310) have closed the gap.

Following on from Al Mehairi’s second-place finish in Friday’s Race 1, Sheikh Hasher’s sensational start saw him move from ninth position in the grid up to third within the first few laps of Race 2.

The Emirati driver pushed past two-time former champion Al Faisal, who ended in fourth. His Skydive Dubai teammate Al Mehairi finished fifth.

Al Nabooda had hoped to wrap up at least one of the team or drivers’ championships in Dubai but now must wait until the final round of the season in Bahrain on March 7-8.

Schmid was banned after being found guilty of causing an accident due to dangerous driving in Race 1.

He said: “I accept responsibility for what happened in Race 1 and I have to live with the consequences. Now the focus is on Bahrain and doing everything I can to secure the title there.”

Speaking after his third-place finish, for which he was awarded the Rookie-of-the-Year trophy, Sheikh Hasher said: “I am really happy with the result this weekend. Round 5 has been a great team victory for us with Saeed doing well yesterday and me getting the podium today.

“Now the hard work really begins as it’s not long until Bahrain and, as we’ve seen this weekend, anything can happen in motorsport.”