Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Muscat: Keeping a cool head and showing great manoeuvring skills, Oman’s rising racing star Shihab Al Habsi clinched the second place in a one-two finish for Tony Kart/MSport Karting in the OK Junior competition of the 2017 MSA Kartmasters British Kart Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Omani teenager, who started fourth on the grid at the Paul Fletcher International (PFi) kart circuit in Grantham, had a sensational race, first move into the second place and then slipping back to fourth before sealing the second place behind Tony Kart/MSport Karting teammate Morgan Porter.
After the third lap of the 17-lap race, Shihab Al Habsi moved up to the third while trying to catch up with the leading drivers and then into second place. But after sixth lap, the young Omani slipped back to fourth place.
However, Shihab kept his cool and stayed close to the leading drivers. After the 15th lap, he once again moved back into the second place and remained in that position till the end for a deserving podium finish.
Shihab finished just 0.16 seconds behind teammate Morgan Porter, who completed the race in 16 minutes and 34.51 seconds. The Omani boy clocked 16:34.67.
Sean Butcher of MBR team finished third in 16:36.10. Dubai-based Jamie Day of KR-Sport finished in fourth place in a time of 16:36.40.
Next challenge
The experience of taking part in the Kartmasters British Kart Grand Prix and his second place finish will do a world of good for Shihab’s confidence as he is also preparing to take part in the CIK-FIA OK & OKJ World Championships.
The CIK-FIA World Championships are scheduled to take place at the same venue from September 20 to 24.
