Ahmad Al Harthy will start both of this weekend’s Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship races at Snetterton 300 Circuit from the front row of the Pro-Am 1 grid after a hotly contested qualifying session at the warm and sunny Norfolk track this afternoon, Saturday, 11th August.

While just missing out on the class pole position for round 11 by a mere 0.1 seconds, the Oman Air Racing Team driver’s renowned consistency delivered him the top spot in Pro-Am 1 for round 12 – his ninth pole of the year.

Lapping with a quickest time of 1m53.265 seconds (94.36mph), Ahmad’s second best effort of 1m53.314 seconds (94.32mph) secured the class pole position for the second of the weekend’s two races by almost 0.2 seconds.

“It was a good session, we’re happy with that”, said the 30-year-old Muscat racer, “After such a long break since the last round, it’s good to come back and be on the front row for both races. We made some good improvements from testing yesterday [Friday] which was important, we’re satisfied with how things have gone in qualifying.”

Despite starting second in Pro-Am 1 for the opening encounter on Sunday, the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Nawras, National Bank of Oman and Muscat Eye Laser Centre-backed racer is crucially ahead of each of his chief championship rivals.

“It’s very important to be starting ahead of our main opposition”, added Ahmad, “It would have been nice to have both pole positions but the main goal is to try and increase our lead in the points. We’re predicting two hot races tomorrow, especially the second one, so it’s going to be hard work and looking after the tyres will be vital.”

Going into tomorrow’s action at the 2.97-mile track with a healthy 35-point lead in the class title battle, Ahmad will be determined to maintain his outstanding 2012 podium record – having finished on the rostrum in each of the 10 races so far – and also try and add to his tally of six Pro-Am 1 wins.

Round 11 of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship season will take place at 10.25 tomorrow, Sunday, 12th August, with round 12 – which will be screened live in the UK on ITV4 and ITV4 HD and streamed online at the www.itv.com/btcc website - getting underway at 16.10.

Keep up to speed with Ahmad's 2012 progress at his official website www.ahmadalharthy.com follow him on Twitter @AlHarthyRacing or visit the Ahmad Al Harthy Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ahmad-...11700892183537

2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship – Pro-Am1 Driver Standings (after Rd10):
1st Ahmad Al Harthy, 94pts