Qatar Superstock 600 kicks off a new season with two days of official practice
Saeed Al Sulaiti topped the timesheets at the Official Practice Qatar Superstock 600 defending champion Saeed Al Sulaiti started to defend his title after the Qatari rider topped the two-day official practice sessions with a total of 22 riders taking part in the championship at the Lusail International Circuit on 30thNovember and 1stDecember 2018.Al Sulaiti was the fastest rider with a lap time of 2:05.131 on Day 2 during the last session, ahead of Mishal Al Naimi, the runner up of last year’s championship who finished second with a time of 2:05.178. Last year’s Rookie, Abdullah Al Qubaisi was the third fastest in a time of 2:05.367.Nasser Al Malki and Hungarian Balint Kovacs completed the top five while Fahad Al Sowaidi, Jassim Al Thani, Kuwaiti Mohammad Al Zaidan, Ali Al Shammari and Kuwaiti Nawaf Al Shuabi made up the top ten.Al Sulaiti was very happy with the overall results of the official test ‘To be honest, I faced difficult times for this weekend as unfortunately I broke my finger last week while training but I was able to ride and suffer the pain and in the second day I set the fastest time’ said Al Sulaiti‘I am also really happy with Abdulla’s performance compared to last season, he is much faster and for sure that this season there will be more than two riders competing for the championship. Thanks to Abdulrahman Al Mannai (QMMF President) and Khalid Al Remaihi (LCSC Vice President and General Manager) for their support and also to Ooredoo to continue with their sponsorship’ ended Al Sulaiti.Qatar’s Al Nami, although he had some problem with the front tyre during all the weekend, was happy with his result. ‘I tried to find a good set up but we didn’t have enough grip to do a good lap time and I had a problem with the front tyre that was destroyed all the time. The bike is working very well and I hope we can make a good result in the opening round. Thanks to Ooredoo for their support and QMMF and Lusail Circuit Sports Club’ stated Al Naimi.Hungarian rider Balint Kovacs is back to Qatar to race again in this championship. Kovacs has been racing at the IDM and Suzuki Cup with a 1000cc bike and he finds this championship a great opportunity to train ‘It is really nice to race again here. After racing with the 1000cc it is a bit difficult to get again into the rhythm of the 600cc bike but this test is good to get used to the bike. I am really looking forward for the opening round next weekend’ said Kovacs.In this season, there are newcomer riders from Kuwati and Australia. Out of 8 Kuwaiti riders that take part in this championship, Mohammad Al Zaidan is the fastest one. ‘I am very happy with the result in the official practice. Last week, during the track day it was different but this time, with the support of all the mechanics, we have a good set up in the bike and I am really excited to start again another season and join this amazing championship. Thanks to QMMF and Lusail Circuit Sports Club for their support.’ Said Al Zaidan.Another newcomer rider is the Australian rider Alastair Cunliffe, who joins the championship for first time. ‘This is my first season racing ever so it is a very exciting challenge for me and I am looking forward to improving my riding and be involved in this amazing championship and great opportunity here I Qatar’ mentioned Cunliffe.The Championship is organized by Lusail Circuit Sports Club and Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation with Pirelli Qatar as sponsor of the championship. There will be a total of five rounds, with two races at each round and the two categories racing together, QSTK600 and QSTK Trophy. First round of the season will be on 6th & 7th December 2018.Mr. Khalid Al Remaihi, LCSC Vice President and General Manager is looking forward to start the new season and happy with the good number of participants ‘We are very proud of what we achieved last season and we expect another fierce and strong competition between all the participants in both categories. It is great that more riders from abroad are joining our championship and for sure that all of them will give all the best in every race’ said Al Remaihi.CALENDAR:Round 1 7th & 8th December 2018rnRound 2 14th & 15th December 2018Round 3 25th & 26th January 2019rnRound 4 15h, 8th & 9th February 2019rnRound 5 29th & 30th March 2019