ABU DHABI: A short winter break has proved only to heighten interest, increase driver focus and build anticipation as the region’s leading race series makes a long-awaited return to the UAE capital for Round 3 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

The Middle East’s most competitive drivers will return to the track in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit for the first time in over three years with two races scheduled on Friday.

The newly formed Al Faisal racing team which consists of Saudi brothers, Abdulaziz Al Faisal and Saud Al Faisal, are enjoying their first team season in the series, and although they haven’t had the flying start they had hoped for, the vastly experienced Abdulaziz is confident that it’s a case of getting back into the swing of things and finding their form in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons to date.

The last time the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East came to Abu Dhabi, Abdulaziz Al Faisal won both races on the F1 circuit, and will be keen to replicate the immense driving that he displayed the last time out here at the Yas Marina track.

“After taking a year out from Porsche racing it was always going to be challenging coming back into this series in which the competition gets tougher and tougher each year. I am very excited about the race in Abu Dhabi and have great memories here from the last time out. The track provides so many opportunities to get the cars up to top speed and allows for some great racing. We have worked hard as a team over the winter break to fine tune some areas and we can’t wait to get off to a great start in 2016!”

For younger brother Saud the experience of racing among seasoned professionals and on this highly competitive stage is great for his confidence and sets a solid platform for him to progress and develop his driving at this level.

“For me this is an amazing experience and I am enjoying every minute of it. I am learning a lot about from Abdulaziz and from the team and just trying to improve on my times at every race. We have a lot more to give out on the track and the second half of the season will be extremely important for us to try and finish on the podium in our first year racing as a team!”

For racing fans in the UAE, the return of the spectacular Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East to the capital will serve as a timely reminder of the country’s domination so far this season with Jeffrey Schmidt’s Al Nabooda Racing Team occupying two of the three top spots in the standings.

After two exhilarating first rounds of the new Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Al Nabooda Racing sits comfortably atop of the team standings as well, no doubt helped by the dynamic duo’s incredibly consistent performances. However, with the new series only midway through, anything can still happen – especially at the notoriously challenging Yas Marina Circuit, famed for hosting the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and for its unique turns and long straights which allows for plenty of overtaking opportunities.

The 2015-2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East race schedule is:

Round 3

Race 1 – 22nd Jan.

Race 2 — 22nd Jan.

Yas Marina Circuit, UAE

Round 4

Race 1- 29th Jan.

Race 2- 30th Jan.

Dubai Autodrome, UAE

Round 5

Race 1 — 19th Feb

Race 2 — 19th Feb

Dubai Autodrome, UAE

Round 6

Race 1 — 4th March

Race 2 — 5th March

Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain