A file photo of Denmark’s Christina Nielsen (front) in action during a race. RIGHT: Nielsen is seen before a race starts. Nielsen will be racing for the first time at Losail International Circuit when the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East takes place in Qatar tomorrow and Saturday.
DOHA: Christina Nielsen, the first female driver to race in the history of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East is set to debut at the Losail International Circuit as the leading one-make series in the region returns for the spectacular night racing tomorrow and Saturday.
The Danish made a big impression before the winter break as she held her own amongst the strongest grid ever assembled in the history of the series.
The impressionable 21-year-old, who is currently sitting in 9th position on the overall championship standings with 82 points, is looking to make an impact on the championship in the penultimate weekend of fourth season.
Nielsen, who has also participated on the European circuit, said: “It is a great feeling to be back on the grid after a long winter break. I cannot wait to get back behind the wheel.”
She added: “It has been an incredible experience so far, with the competition as keenly fought as I thought it would be which is why this is the leading series in the region. It has been a great journey and experience of racing in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and has improved me as a driver.”
The 21-year-old explained: “I am looking forward to racing at the Losail International Circuit and under the lights. It will be a completely different challenge of racing during the day. I believe it will have an overall effect on the results.”
Walter Lechner, Manager of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East believes Nielsen’s return will only add to the drama and competition.
He said: “It is great to have Christina back into the fold. She has held her own this season, produced respectable results and given the rest of the grid a challenge. Her presence in Qatar will give the rest of the drivers something else to think about as she will be battling for the points.”
Last year’s debut event in Qatar was the first Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge night racing event staged in the world since its championship introduction seven years ago, running initially in Brazil, New Zealand and the US.
The introduction of the Qatar circuit on the schedule last year also marked another milestone for the one-make series by uniting all five if the region’s top race circuit’s, having already become well acquainted in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The fourth season has been one of the closest in the history of the championship with Al Nabooda Racings Clemens Schmid leading by six points over reigning champion Abdulaziz AlFaisal, in an absorbing two-horse race for the title. THE PENINSULA
