In 2017, Oman’s racing sensation Ahmad Al Harthy created history by winning the Pro-AM championship. On Monday, with an aim to bring back the title, the racing legend unveiled his plans for the new season with the latest generation Aston Martin Vantage GT3 at the iconic National Bank of Oman (NBO) headquarters.  Ahmad will return to the Pro-Am class in the high-profile Blancpain Endurance Cup.

Speaking to The Arabian Stories, Ahmad said: “It’s going to be challenging but I am confident of bringing back the title. We obviously have some great memories of Pro-Am from 2017 when we won the championship, and we’re determined Oman Racing will again be in a position to challenge for the title this season with our new line-up.”

Al Harthy’s team-mates for the new Blancpain season have also been confirmed with Northern Ireland’s Charlie Eastwood, who raced as part of the squad’s Silver class line-up last year, continuing with Oman Racing.

Salih Yoluc, who was part of the team’s Pro-Am podium finishing line-up in the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2017, returns to the squad for the full season this year and the Turkish driver will bring additional experience from the FIA World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours. 

“I’m very pleased Charlie [Eastwood] is continuing with us for a second season, and it’s great to see Salih [Yoluc] back with us for the full championship,” he said. 

A decade of partnership with NBO

Notably, the 2019 season marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Al Harthy and the National Bank of Oman and the Sultanate’s first local bank – founded in 1973 – has enhanced its association with Oman Racing as a result into the landmark year.

Importantly, the Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs also continues its long-standing support as a key partner of Al Harthy into 2019 as does Omantel and Barr Al Jissah, completing a strong and highly prestigious sponsorship portfolio once again.

“We’re very excited to have launched our season at the new head office of the National Bank of Oman today, and I’m very proud to be flying the flag for Oman again in the Pro-Am class of the Blancpain Endurance Cup”, said a very happy Al Harthy, “Oman Racing is again partnering with TF Sport and we’re very excited to be challenging in the brand new Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

Al Harthy added: “Of course, I am delighted to retain the incredible support of the Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, National Bank of Oman, Omantel and Barr Al Jissah who have all been a key part of our journey for a long time. It’s wonderful in our 10th year of partnership to have enhanced support from the National Bank of Oman this year, a season we intend to be a very successful one.”