Double for Saeed al-Sulaiti and Sheikh Soud al-Thani

Qatar’s Saeed al-Sulaiti produced a brilliant performance, winning both races in the opening round of the Qatar Superstock 600 Championship at the Losail International Circuit.In the first race, al-Sulaiti, who won the Superpole on Friday, was ahead of the pack over the first two laps after which he was overtaken by Mishal al-Naimi.However, al-Naimi, who was under the weather, couldn’t hold on to the advantage for long as al-Sulaiti soon regained his lead and finished the race in style.Eventually, al-Naimi could only finish third as Nasser al-Malki passed him to claim second.“I led the first two laps but then Mishal overtook me at the straight line. I tried to follow him aggressively until I almost crashed, so I took it easy and kept my rhythm,” al-Sulaiti said.In the second race, al-Sulaiti was aggressive from the start and crossed the checkered flag in first position. “I am really happy to win a double, that was my target,” he said. “The start was perfect, I tried to maintain my rhythm but it was not easy. But after five laps I managed to pull away.” In the QSTK Trophy, it was an intense battle between Essa al-Mutawa, Sheikh Soud al-Thani and the Kuwaiti rider Mohamed al-Zaidan. However, with just a few laps to go, al-Mutawa had a crash and Sheikh Soud al-Thani took victory.“Very nice race. I struggled a bit at the start but then I managed to overtake some slow riders and I found out that Essa al-Mutawa was leading our category. But after four laps I managed to catch him and overtook him. I am happy to finish first,” said Sheikh Soud al-Thani.Kuwaiti rider Mohamed al-Zaidan finished second in and France’s Michel Delarace was third.Sheikh Soud al-Thani also won the second QSTK race later.“I am very happy with another win. I was unlucky at the start, I had to exit from the pit lane as my tyre pressure was wrong, but with my lap time and good rhythm I managed to get a good result.’ Sheikh Soud al-Thani said.Essa al-Mutawa finished second and Mohamed al-Zaidan ended in third place in the QSTK Trophy.Trophies were presented by Abdulrahmam al-Mannai (QMMF President), Abdulrazak al-Kuwari (QMMF General Secretary) and Sultan al-Murraiki (QMMF Executive Director)The second round of Qatar Superstock Championship will be held on February 2 and 3, 2018.