(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman Air Racing Team driver Ahmad al Harthy showed his mettle at the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship on Sunday, racing to a Pro-Am1 class victory in testing conditions in the second race at Rockingham after he was forced to retire midway into the day's preceding race.The win in round 16 came despite a puncture late into the race and extended Ahmad's class tally to an impressive ten victories this season. It followed a rough mid-race contact with Victor Jimenez in round 15, which forced the Omani to pull out of the contest.Sunday's successful finish was all the more special for Ahmad as it came in inclement weather. He now has 14 podium finishes from 16 rounds this season to lead the Pro-Am1 standings by a solid 48-point margin. He has garnered 141 points, followed by second-placed Oly Mortimer (93) and Derek Pierce (82).After retiring from the round 15 race, Ahmad began the day's second race from pole position. He made a quick getaway from the slippery grid and survived contact to the rear of his car at a hairpin bend on the opening lap.Following a two-lap safety car period, which was required after an incident at the hairpin, the action resumed on lap four and Ahmad immediately proved his class by opening a significant gap on his rivals while it began to rain steadily.The 31 year old Omani racer posted the fastest class lap of 1m32.521s on the eighth lap and took the chequered flag on lap 16 with over five seconds clear.The round 16 race wasn't without a worry or two for Ahmad though, as his Porsche 911 picked up a slow puncture a couple of laps from the finish. However, he completed the win before the puncture could give him trouble.I could feel something is wrong with the left-front wheel, it was quite a scare then, Ahmad said.I really don't think I could have managed the win if I had another lap to go with that puncture - it was close. I had a great start to the race and was lucky at the second corner when (Derek) Pierce hit me hard from behind. I wasn't sure at that moment if my car would be fine.Thankfully, it was, and after the safety car period, I kept pushing hard at a good pace. It was comfortable from that point on, the car was working well. But the track surface was extremely slippery. I am happy I managed to master the conditions and win.Earlier, in the round 15 race, Ahmad was progressing swiftly when his vehicle ran into the car of Jimenez. The impact forced Ahmad to pull off the circuit two corners later with a damaged steering. Derek Pierce won the race.Ahmad will return to action in the championship after a fortnight's break for rounds 17 and 18, which will take place at the Silverstone National Circuit on October 6-7.Â
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