Muscat: Omantel, the first homegrown telecommunications services provider in Oman, will continue its long-standing support of multiple motor racing champion Ahmad Al Harthy throughout the second half of 2021 as the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 driver makes his eagerly awaited track return.
Almost five months since he was last in action, during the Middle East-based Asian Le Mans Series, the Sultanate’s most successful racer is absolutely delighted to make his first partner announcement ahead of his just announced return to the Intelligent Money British GT Championship next month.
In its position as the leading telecommunications provider in Oman, Omantel is focused on fulfilling the needs of its many customers – both business and personal – with first class services and the highest standards of professionalism.
Sustainability is at the core of the business model with a vision focusing on three key areas, namely digital inclusion, responsibility and innovation. With regard to the latter, Omantel is forging forward with its rollout of 5G across the Sultanate – bringing immense benefits to the people of Oman.
Omantel has a very strong and successful history of supporting the best Omani talent in many fields, not least in sporting endeavours, and the company has been an integral part of Al Harthy and Oman Racing’s winning partnership portfolio since the beginning of his motorsport career.
“I really am so delighted to be able to confirm the continued support of Omantel this year for our upcoming race programme, our partnership is a long-standing and very successful one and it’s an honour for me to continue representing Omantel on and off track”, said Al Harthy.
“We’ve just announced our return to British GT next month, and have more exciting announcements to come with regard to additional races this year. It’s been a very long five months since the Asian Le Mans Series, so I can’t wait to be back on track. Of course, it’s been a very challenging time since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year so I am incredibly grateful for the amazing support of Omantel.”
On behalf of Omantel, Saba Al Busaidi, Senior Manager Corporate Affairs, commented: “Ahmad Al Harthy has been Oman’s pride on the racing circuit. Omantel is always keen to associate itself with, and stand behind, outstanding Omani talent with its support. The Company has been partnering with Ahmad since 2016 and welcomes his return to the track.
“This partnership also embodies leadership position, speed, talent and the ability to conquer all challenges – qualities that both Oman’s favourite racer and Oman’s favourite telecom company share. Omantel is sure that Ahmad will keep making Oman proud.”
Just before the world changed in March 2020 when the global coronavirus outbreak took hold, Al Harthy was scheduled to make a full-time return to the Intelligent Money British GT Championship but the pandemic halted any racing activity for the Omani until October last year.
Debuting in the International GT Open at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium with a dream Pro-Am victory, teaming with British racer Tom Canning, Al Harthy then partnered with Canning and Aston Martin factory driver Jonny Adam for February’s Asian Le Mans Series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Al Harthy’s glittering racing career, of course, has delivered numerous victories in a variety of categories and some notable championship wins. Taking the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Pro-Am 1 title in 2012, Al Harthy and then team-mate Michael Caine won the Team Championship for Oman Racing in the 2014 British GT Championship and Al Harthy claimed the Silver Cup class crown in 2015.
In 2017, Al Harthy won the Pro-Am title in the prestigious pan-European Blancpain Endurance Cup [now GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup] and then repeated the feat in 2019 – also making history with Pro-Am class race victory in the world renowned Total 24 Hours of Spa.
