Nasser Al Shaiba, riding BMW S1000RR, took two wins in the Motorcity UAE Sportbikes races, on UAE National Race Day 4, in the 1000 Class on the National circuit configuration of Dubai Autodrome. His main rival Gernot Dobida, was forced to have early shower when he retired out of the lead in the first race, with mechanical issues and was unable to make it onto the grid for the second race.
Al Shaiba summed up his day, “I am very happy with these two wins, everything went according to plan even though we did have a few problems. But in the end we won and that was the goal. I would like to thank the Dubai Autodrome for putting on this event and also my BMW team and support, including Sandstorm who help me setup my bike.”
In the 600 Class Mahmoud Tannir, on his Triumph Daytona 675, took did his championship ambitions the world of good taking his win tally to six out of eight. His main rival, team mate Alan Boyter, had fuel feed problems in the first race which forced him out on the warm-up lap. Boyter bounced back to take second in place in race two. Steve Blackney, on his Honda CBR600RR, was second in the first race and third in the final race. Erikas Savickas finished third in race one aboard hisYamaha YZF R6.
Tannir said, “My team mate Alan [Boyter] had problems in the first race which is a shame because he is capable of giving me a good run. I am glad he bounced back in the second race. For me two wins is great. I cannot ease off in future races as there are still many races ahead and anything can happen. It felt good racing with the 1000 Class. So all in all a good day.”
Sporting the biggest smile in the paddock at the end of the day was Surya Raja who took his first victory ever in the 600 Rookie Class in race one and followed that up with another win in race two riding a Yamaha YZF R6. His wins bringing to an end the six win streak by fellow rookie Chris Morley who had technical problems in the first race but managed to bounce back to finish second in the final race.
Raja said, “I am really pleased with these wins, my first in my short career as I have only been riding motorcycles seriously for the past eight months and started racing this past October. So winning now is great, as when I started I was fourth, then third, then second and now first. It feels good and I have been told it is addictive, but I know it takes hard work.”
The next race day featuring Round 9 and Round 10 of the Motorcity UAE Sportbikes Championship takes place on 10 February 2012 at Dubai Autodrome.