(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar-based racing driver Charlie Frijns swept to the podium to secure second place in the second and final race of Round 4 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at the Dubai Autodrome.
After finishing third in Race 1 of Round 4 the previous day, Frijns managed to climb one place higher to complete an outstanding weekend of racing for the Doha resident. Frijns was joined on the podium by eventual race winner Jeffrey Schmidt of Al Nabooda Racing, who leads the championship. The final step on the podium was filled by Ireland's Ryan Cullen who claimed third.
For the second time this season Frijns showed his driving quality and pace by setting the quickest time in qualifying to start the race from pole position ahead of rival Schmidt. However his slim advantage was relinquished as early as turn one of the second lap as Schmidt took the lead and control of the race.
For the remaining laps Frijns racing for Team Frijns Structural Steel Middle East alongside his teammate and father Rob Frijns, piled the pressure onto Schmidt but in the end had to be satisfied with a second position. As a result of his best finish of the season so far Frijns has improved to fifth in the overall driver's standings and reduced the gap to only 3 points behind Abdulaziz al-Faisal. Al-Faisal could only manage a fifth place finish in the second race at the Dubai Autodrome.
Speaking after Race 2 of Round 4 Charlie Frijns said: "I was very happy with my qualifying today which enabled me to start in poll position on the grid. I had a very good start but unfortunately couldn't extend my lead after the first lap. I made one small mistake and Jeffery took the lead. I managed to keep my second position, my first second position of the year and hopefully next round here I can get one position higher."
The result came as welcome relief for Schmidt and Al Nabooda Racing following Race 1 where he was forced to retire after a collision with team-mate Zaid Ashkanani. Victory in Race 2 was all but essential for the UAE resident. Starting from second on the grid, Schmidt was quick to redeem himself and take ownership of pole position as he continues his hunt for the Season 7 championship title in what is his debut season.
After entering Round 4 with a 26-point lead, Schmidt had his advantage cut to just 1 point by Cullen after the first race, but with win in the second, the lead has increased to five.
The region's leading drivers will line-up in the Porsche 911 GT3 as the star attractions at Dubai Autodrome on February 19 for Round 5.
Championship Standings (top 5)
1. Jeffrey Schmidt (Al Nabooda Racing) 175
2. Ryan Cullen (Cullen Motorsport) 170
3. Zaid Ashkanani (Al Nabooda Racing) 161
4. Abdulaziz al-Faisal (AlFaisal Racing) 138
5. Charlie Frijns (Frijns Structural Steel ME) 135
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