Khalifa leading the race in his car at Reem International Circuit in Riyadh Wednesday. RIYADH: Bahrain's Sheikh Salman Bin Rashid Al-Khalifa scored a dramatic victory in Round 5 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Reem International Circuit here Wednesday to extend his lead in the series. He came out on top in a spectacular battle with Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal after Saudi Arabia's defending champion started in pole position and held his lead for 14 of 18 laps in what was at times a bumper to bumper battle with the Bahraini. The decisive moment came when Abdulaziz, under severe pressure from Salman, spun off the track at the end of the back straight, presenting the series leader with a clear path to his third race win of the 2010-11 championship. After starting in fifth place, Abu Dhabi's Khaled Al-Qubaisi again underlined his great progress this season by grabbing second place after shrugging off a determined challenge from Saudi teenager Fahad Algosaibi who finished third. With Prince Abdulaziz dropping to fourth, fellow Saudis Bandar Alesayi and Bandar Alireza completed the top six. The result gives Sheikh Salman an eight-point series lead from Prince Abdulaziz, with Al-Qubaisi just two points further adrift in third. Round 5 results: 1. Salman Bin Rashid Al-Khalifa (Bahrain) 27:17.165; 2. Khaled Al-Qubaisi (UAE), Tolimit Arabia, 27:19.552; 3. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA), Classic Arabia Racing, 27:20.174; 4. Abdulaziz Al-Faisal (KSA), Al-Faisal Racing Team, 27:26.323;5. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) 27:28.039; 6. Bandar Alireza (KSA) 27:32.787; 7. Musaed Al-Murar (UAE), Tolimit Arabia, 27:59.961; 8. Hamad Al-Khalifa (BAH) 28:01.842; 9. Ibrahim Salloum (UAE), Abu Dhabi Falcon Racing, 28:02.687; 10. Johannes Waimer (GER) 28:07.544.
