Interview with Khaled Al Qubaisi
Emirati Khaled Al Qubaisi is the only driver from the Middle East to be a full season competitor in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship, and races with Christian Ried and Klaus Bachler in the LMGTE Am class no88 Proton Competition Porsche 911 RSR. Al Qubaisi and Ried are currently holding fourth place in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE Am Drivers, just three points behind Nicki Thiim. The Proton Competition Porsche is third in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE Am Teams and is 26 points behind the 98 Aston Martin Racing Vantage V8.
We caught up with Khaled Al Qubaisi ahead of his home race, the 6 Hours of Bahrain.
Q: What does it mean to you to have a race of the FIA World Endurance Championship in the Middle East?
"It's really great to be able to race somewhere we can closely call a "home race". The WEC is a great Championship and the pinnacle of GT Endurance, so therefore a race in our region is really important for us and our supporters and can help us raise awareness about Endurance and sportscar racing."
Q: While Formula One is well established in Abu Dhabi and in Bahrain, how is sportscar and endurance racing viewed by the people in the Middle East?
"It's a bit different, there is a lot of promotion that goes towards F1 and it's the top end of motor Racing and attracts everyone if those who aren't really motorsports fans. Endurance and sports car racing is quite different, those who attend are usually more hardcore and those kind of fans take time to build but we are already seeing them growing as evidenced in the Dubai 24 Hours and now the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi. It will come, slowly but surely, this region has a great future in motorsports."
Q: What has been the highlight of your season so far in the FIA WEC?
"My highlight was definitely finishing second at Le Mans! But my stint in Austin during the rain came very close! Getting in the car in 4th and out with a 2 lap lead, I overtook a pro car too; a great feeling."
Q: What is the goal for the 6 Hours of Bahrain for you and the Proton Competition team?
"The goal is to stay out of trouble and extend our 3rd position in the championship. A podium will be nice too."
Jeff Carter
