(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Oman Air Racing Team driver Ahmad al Harthy, who had already been crowned the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup GB champion in the Pro-Am1 class ahead of the final two races, rounded off his successful season on Sunday with a runner-up place and a DNF (did not finish) result in the concluding round at a rain-lashed Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit.Having won the title in Silverstone earlier this month, the Muscat-based racer had hoped to sign off the season on a winning note after claiming pole positions on Saturday for rounds 19 and 20. However, Ahmad had to settle for second place - his overall 17th podium finish this season - in the opening race and failed to finish in the next race.In the penultimate race, Ahmad got off to a good start and held the lead until lap seven at Druids Hairpin when he was shuffled back to second by eventual winner Derek Pierce.Staying close behind the Scotsman, Ahmad negotiated persistent rain and water spray from the track that cut down visibility. He couldn't catch up with Pierce, but finished ahead of third-placed Victor Jimenez.In the final race, Ahmad again led, starting from pole position, despite the worsening weather and built a one-second lead by lap four, which became 1.5 seconds over the next three laps. Then on lap nine at Surtees, Ahmads car went off track a little bit and the resulting drive across the grass dropped him to fourth. The Omani racer soon got back into his rhythm, challenging Oly Mortimer ahead of him. Mortimer appeared slower than Ahmad, but the former smartly defended the racing line.Carrying more momentum into Paddock Hill Bend on lap 11, Ahmad closed in at good pace, but the Scottish driver slowed down at the corner, which forced a contact with Ahmads car and the champion had to pullout from the race.Reflecting on his overall successful season, Ahmad said, This last race has been disappointing, but it's been an absolutely fantastic year. Finishing second in today's first race was good. It was particularly great to be on the podium as I had lot of my fans who travelled all the way from Muscat.He added, It has been an amazing year - so many wins, being on the podium in every race I finished and making history as the first Omani and Arab driver to win a championship at this level.In all, the 2012 edition saw Ahmad bag 12 Pro-Am1 victories from a total of 20 races.Among the fans cheering on from the stands on Sunday was Ahmed al Jhdhamy, director of sports marketing at the Ministry of Sports Affairs. What Ahmad is doing for Oman is incredible, Jhdhamy said. Everyone in Oman is watching what he is doing, he is a perfect representative for our country in sports, we all salute him for everything he has achieved.Pro-Am1 standings: 1 Ahmad (167 points), 2 Derek Pierce (110), 3 Oly Mortimer (110).
