Eastwood wins at Yas Marina

Manama : Northern Ireland newcomer Charlie Eastwood joined the grid for race one of the fourth round at the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, surprising drivers to take first place on the podium.

A Porsche Carrera Cup GB scholar, Eastwood (two minutes 13.611 seconds) flew into Abu Dhabi and onto the grid as a guest driver, taking pole position in qualifying and sharing the front row with title hopeful Charlie Frijns, Eastwood held his position to take the win with Ryan Cullen second and Frijns third.

The three Bahraini drivers on the track competing at the Yas Marina Circuit for the first time, it was all about getting some vital experience whilst building on some impressive performances over the first half of the season. After qualifying well in their respective categories, a crowded turn one saw Shaikh Isa Abdulla Al Khalifa and Shaikh Hamad Al Khalifa both drop positions, while Shaikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa kept his position as the drivers continued into the first lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit.