Taichi Watarai took an impressive double victory today in the opening round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East for the 2025/2026 season, the support competition for the Bapco Energies Bahrain 8 Hours, which was held this weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Watarai took an emphatic victory from pole position in the second race of the tour, which was held in warm and sunny conditions yesterday morning. He finished the 12-lap race in a total time of 24 minutes and 55.743 seconds, adding to the victory he achieved in the first race on Friday evening – from which he also started.
Watarai cruised to the finish line yesterday, enjoying a comfortable lead of 17.741 seconds over his closest rival and overall runner-up, Cédric Chassang. Khaled Al-Ahmadi achieved third place in the final overall standings on the podium, 17.956 seconds behind Wataray. Both Wataray and Al-Ahmadi compete in the Pro category, while Chasang participates in the Pro-IM category. Thus, achieving victory in its category.
Alexandra Fateeva took third place in the Pro category, while Sam Shaheen and Banksy joined her on the podium in the Pro IM category. In the Masters category, Christer Andrew won, ahead of Peter Breca and Mark J. Thomas.
The Porsche Challenge Cup Middle East schedule for the 2025/2026 season includes six rounds. Besides Bahrain, the tournament is also scheduled to host rounds of Losail in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
The Porsche Championship will return to the Bahrain International Circuit for its fifth and penultimate round, scheduled to take place from April 10 to 12 next year, in support of the 2026 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
During the final day, which witnessed the presence of large crowds, fans and visitors to the race enjoyed the activities provided to them, most notably the open paddock events, the pit lane tour, and the World Endurance Championship drivers’ autograph sharing events, which received a great response from the attending fans. They were able to take many souvenir photos with their favorite drivers. The fans also enjoyed the entertainment activities provided to them and spent a day full of excitement and enjoyment in the entertainment area.
The World Endurance Championship activities continue on their final day with trials today, Sunday, November 8. The trials begin in two periods, the first from 10 am to 12 pm, and the evening period from 1 pm and lasting until 4 pm, and an elite group of drivers who will be future stars in motorsport participate in it on the Bahrain International Circuit track.
For more information about the Bapco Energies Bahrain 8 Hour Endurance Race at the Bahrain International Circuit, you can visit the official website www.bahraingp.com or call the hotline +973-17-450000.
