QERT I makes Hat-trick of World Superstock Titles, SERT Champion for 10th time

Doha Qatar Endurance Racing Team I (QERT 95) created history again, recording a thrilling hat-trick of Superstock titles at the Doha 8-hour round at the Qtel World Endurance Championship on Saturday (November 13, 2010). At the Losail International Circuit under brilliant floodlights, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team from France bagged the 10th Formula EWC crown with Philippe, Vincent, Foray Freddy and Sylvain Guitoli combining their promise with pace.
Earlier in the day, HH Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Private Advisor to the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, visited the Losail track and exhorted the Qatari riders to go all out and win the title again.

Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation President Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Attiya was also present on the occasion to welcome HH Sheikh Abdulla warmly. The QMMF President said HH Sheikh Abdulla has always guided the federation with his vision and foresight. He also added the brief visit by HH Sheikh Abdulla was a big boost for the QERT riders.
Entering the last round of the series, QERT I, using Suzuki GSXR 1000, was only 11 points ahead of title challenger Andalucia BMW from Spain. The objectives of the lead Qatari team were quite clear – it had to finish the race and beat the Spanish team.

The Qatari team, fielding an experienced trio of Mashel al Naimi, Anthony Delhalle and Alexander Cudlin, secured both the goals and emerged the champion in its class. Andalucia, which started the race ahead of QERT 95, faced electrical problems in the beginning of the race and could not recover from it.                                                                                                            The QERT I, despite starting from 11th spot on the grid, grabbed the lead soon after the start and continued to push ahead, through unwavering focus, rhythm and pace. The gamble of using Moto2 rider al Naimi worked well and all three riders maintained the high levels of consistency to clinch the title.
QERT I, winner in 2008 and last year also, completed 223 laps of the Losail track in eight hours. The second place was bagged by French Team Motors Events, which finished one lap behind the Qatari champion. Germany’s Boenig Penz13 Racing claimed the third spot with 217 rounds.                                                                                                                                         Mashel Al Naimi said the task of winning the title after the tough Moto2 season was not an easy one. “I felt the bike was quite heavy compared to the 600cc bike of Moto2. After more than one year, I was using the 1000cc in the race. I did not feel comfortable at all in the beginning,” he said after on the podium. “But my experience, the team work with Anthony
Delhalle and new rider Alexander Cudlin and a strong bike prepared by the team, all helped us to win the third title. I’m feeling happy and relieved that I could do my job,” added Mashel.

For newcomer Cudlin, the world title meant a lot. “I am new to the team. Winning the world title was the main objective given in my contract. The last race pressure was there but we all raced well and our team prepared a beautiful bike so we could finish the race on the top.
Cudlin is hoping to stay with the team and race again for QERT I next year. “My contract was for just one year. After the strong performance of the team, I hope to get the contract with the QMMF team again. The team is very good and takes good care of us. I don’t know what will happen but I’d love to continue to ride for the QERT I team.”
Frenchman Delhalle was also quite pleased with the achievement. He also thanked Mashel for joining hands and helping the team defend the crown. “I am really thrilled with another title-winning performance by the QERT I team. We won the first race but then our results were not that good.

“But in the last round, Mashel came into the team and boosted us. I want to thank him a lot. I’d also like to thank my whole team for giving us a strong bike for the crucial race. We’re proud to make it three in a row,” commented Delhalle.
Last season, Qatar teams had created history, winning all the three spots. This time, Qatar had fielded five teams but its second team, QERT II, could make the top five.
At the closing ceremony, QMMF President Al Attiya praised the QERT I for winning the title again. He also congratulated SERT for bagging the world title for the 10th time. “I congratulate both the champions and I hope those who did not win any place would not lose their heart and try harder next year to bag the title. We all enjoyed a great race and I wish you all a safe return home. ”

Claude Danis, FIM Road Racing Commission President, was the chief guest at the awards ceremony. “I congratulate the QMMF on hosting another superb race at Losail. The standards of hosting are always very high here. I congratulate both SERT and QERT for claiming the championships. I hope to see more strong challenges from other teams next year.” SERT was involved in a big fight for the title with Team Bolliger Switzerland. The Swiss team’s failure to do well in the qualifying was a big setback. The former champion SERT hit the front soon after pole rider BMP Elf 99 racing slowed down a bit and left all other teams far behind.

SERT managed 231 laps and the second place of the Formula EWC was taken by 2009 world champion YART from Austria, four laps behind the winner. The last spot on the podium was occupied by RMT 21 Racing team from Germany. Team Bolliger managed to get as high as fourth spot, managing only 225 laps.