Doha: Qatar’s Fadhel Al Khater and Palestinian Omran Karama took double victories in the Losail 600 Cup and Qatar Touring Car Championship (QTCC) respectively on Saturday night.

The QTCC is a new car championship hosted by Losail Circuit Sports Club the opening round which took place on Saturday and which was hosted along with the second round of the Losail 600 Cup.

In the first race Al Khater who got the pole position in the qualifying lead the race during all the laps being Qatar’s rider Ali Al Shamari the only rider able to ride close to him but unfortunately in the last lap Al Shamari had a gear problem and had to retired from the race and Al Khater took the victory.

“It was a good race and a good chance the win of today because some riders didn’t ride today the weather is too hot but I am very happy with my victory as it is very good for the championship” Al Khater said.

With Ali Al Shamari out of the race Abdullah Al Qubaisi came in second place and was very happy with his victory ‘It was a good race the weather conditions were very warm but I am happy to get the second place and stand on the podium ‘ Al Kubaisi said after the race.

The third position in the podium was for the British rider Ian Maund

“I didn’t had enough track timing missed few track days and just get back into the rhythm since the last round and try to get faster . Race was good the track was perfect and the weather is a bit warm but I enjoyed the race and happy for my third place” Ian stated at the parc fermé.

Al Khater also took the victory in the second race and the second place went to Soud Al Thani who crashed in the qualifying session and didn’t have time to fix his bike on time for the first race.

“The second race was much better than the first one with the weather improvement and we enjoyed a lot. I had time to fix my bike for the second race after my crash in the qualifying and I am very happy with my second position and this is very good for the championship points’ said Soud Al Thani after the second race. Abdullah Al Qubaisi stood again in the podium this time in the third position. Al Khater is leading the championship with 50 points followed by Abdullah Al Qubaisi with 47 and Soud Al Thani with 42 points.

In the new QTCC the Palestinian driver who is racing under Qatar’s racing license Karama won both races.In the first race Qatar’s rider Al Khulaifi took the lead of the race during the first five laps of the race but in the sixth lap Omran managed to overtake him and stayed in first position until the checkered flag.

For Al Khulaifi this was the first time that he joined a car championship at the circuit and was very happy to finished the race in second place. The Italian driver Peter De Vido who is also racing under Qatar’s racing license finished in third place.

The second race was more exciting as the starting grid was in reverse order of the finishing order of Race 1 so Karama started from the back of the grid.

In the second lap Omran was positioned in the third place and took the lead in the third lap of the race until the end of the race.

“I am very excited 2 races and 2 wins in one day the first podium for me it is amazing. The reverse grid was great we had a lot of fun and very nice battle with the rest of the drivers. The temperature was cooling down so we were more relaxed and many thanks to Losail Circuit Sports Club for this championship and looking forward the next round” Karama said after winning the second race.

The second place in the podium went to Peter De Vido and the Australian driver Adam Spence ended in the third place.

“I am extremely happy with my two podiums today as after some technical issues I had with my car I though that I could make the first race so being in the podium in both races is fantastic. I enjoyed much more in the second race as the temperature came down and the reveres grid is absolutely fantastic. A very big thank you to Losail Circuit Sports Club for organising this professional championship and looking forward to this new championship” stated De Vido after the second race.

In the standings Karama has 22 points followed by Peter De Vido with 17 and Mansour Al Hajri with 15 points.

The third round of Losail 600 Cup and the second round for Qatar Touring Car Championship will be held on May 7.The Peninsula