Qatar Superstock 600 starts a new season: Al Naimi fastest at the Official Practice
The new season of Qatar Superstock 600 kicked off on 6th December with an official practice at Lusail International Circuit before the first round of the championship starts next weekend, 13th & 14th December.
Most of the riders that joint the previous season are also taking part together with new riders: Shk Saoud Al Thani, Rayal Al Emadi and Ahmad Al Sahouti from Qatar, Mihail Florov from Bulgary, Jeremy Parola from France, Gary Little from UK and Stephen Turnbull from Canada.
As previous years, there will be two categories in the Championship, QSTK600 and QSTK Trophy for those riders that their best lap time is more than 2.09 at the Qatari track.
Qatar’s Mashel Al Naimi, was the fastest rider during both practices, with a lap time of 2:03.879.
‘I am happy with the official practice results, I did a good lap time. From the morning I felt something wrong with my bike, I lost the front tyre and it came from the clutch. We’ll try to fix it for the track day before the first round’ said Al Naimi.
‘For the new season, I have good feeling from the Spanish Championship and thanks to QMMF and Lusail Circuit Sports Club for giving me the opportunity to race in Spain so now I am stronger to fight for this season’s title. For sure that the competition will be stronger as Saeed and Abdulla are also readier this. I want to thanks to my sponsor Ooredoo and also to QMMF and LCSC for their support’ ended Al Naimi.
The defendant QSTK600 champion and three times winner, Saeed Al Sulaiti finished the official practice in second place with a lap time of 2:04.891.
‘Today I tried to get the feeling back since we didn’t ride for a long time. In general, it was good, I finished second overall although I was expecting to be better. We still have some work to do on the bike and we have some ideas that can be applied for the next track day before the first round’ Al Sulaiti said.
‘I can’t wait to start another exciting championship and looking forward to win the fourth title in a row, I know that it will be difficult but not impossible’ concluded Al Sulaiti.
Abdulla Al Qubaisi ended in third position and the 18 years old Bulgarian rider, Mihail Florov finished in fourth place.
‘This is my first time that I ride at the Lusail International Circuit and my first impression is amazing. The track is great and the competition is really good. I have experience racing in the Spanish Championship and this championship is a great opportunity for me to improve. Really looking forward to start the first round’ said Florov.
The first round of the season will be this weekend, on the 13th & 14th December 2019. Spectators have free entrance at the Paddock and Grandstand of the circuit.