Shaikh Hamad wins 2 National Festival races

Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa won both races in a hotly contested sixth round of the 2012/2013 BIC 2000cc Challenge yesterday, held as part of an action-packed National Racing Festival in Sakhir. Held around the 2.55-km Inner circuit at the BIC, the 2000cc events were organised by the Circuit Racing Club (CRC), in cooperation with BIC and the Bahrain Motor Federation. The National Racing Festival also included round four of the 2012/2013 Bahrain Drag Racing Championship. The sixth round kick started with Raed Himmo in a Honda CRX topping the timesheets in practice with a fastest lap of 1min 19.952secs. Himmo then captured pole position with a best time of 1min 19.814secs. In Race One, Shaikh Hamad managed to claim an impressive victory ahead of defending champion Stephen Kellogg. Both drivers were competing in Honda CIVIC challengers, but it was Shaikh Hamad who was able to take the chequered flag in 20mins 20.440secs - 6.755secs ahead of the runner-up. Himmo was demoted to third place, finishing 13.650secs off Shaikh Hamad's pace. Hussain Karimi, also in a CRX, and Abdulrahman Ghuloom, driving a CIVIC, finished in fourth and fifth, respectively. Salah Salahuddin, in the fourth CIVIC of the field, and Alex Longden in a BMW 3 Series were not classified. In Race Two, Shaikh Hamad claimed a more convincing victory over the rest of the field, winning in a total time of 20mins 20.930secs. Shaikh Hamad completed the race 13.287secs in front of Himmo and 18.931secs ahead of Karimi. Ghuloom rounded out the finishers in fourth position. Kellogg and Salahuddin were not classified from the race. The winners were presented their respective trophies by CRC and BIC officials during a special podium ceremony. Also during the round's programme, a special memoriam event in honour of the late Mustafa Al Khan was held. Al Khan was a former champion in the BIC 2000cc Challenge, and was a key member of the Bahraini motor racing family. For information on upcoming events at BIC, visit the circuit website, www.bahraingp.com, or call the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000.