CRC Calendar 2022/2023

Event Date Circuit Conditions
Round 1 Fri, Nov 18, 2022 Oasis Day
Round 2 Fri, Jan 20, 2023 Oasis Day
Round 3 Sat, Feb 04, 2023 Oasis Day
Round 4 Sat, Feb 25, 2023 Oasis Day
Round 4 Fri, Mar 24, 2023 Oasis Night
Round 5 Fri, Apr 07, 2023 Oasis Night
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive
 

Stephen Kellogg was once again in unbeatable form as he scored a fantastic double on Friday (December 23, 2011) in round four of the 2011/2012 BIC 2,000cc Challenge, held as part of the National Racing Festival which wrapped up in thrilling fashion at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.

Kellogg overcame an early surprise from Salah Salahuddin to triumph comfortably in race one before claiming race two in style, battling from the back and thwarting Tim Birkin midway through to power on to the chequered flag.

Kellogg’s two victories gave him seven wins in eight races so far this season, including six in a row along with three pole positions. It was also his third double of his fantastic campaign, which now heads into the latter half of the season with only three remaining rounds.

“Yes, it probably is,” answered Kellogg when asked if the title was now his to lose. “I’m just going to have to keep things going the way they are and continue developing the car, as everyone is constantly developing each round.

“I may now have a sizeable lead in the championship standings, but I cannot and I will not relax. I’ll only do that at the very end.”

In the day’s first race, Salahuddin looked determined to spring up a surprise with a strong drive early on. But in the end, it was a trio of familiar faces to finish in the top three.

Kellogg (Honda CIVIC) started from pole position but Salahuddin, who was eighth on the grid, managed to brilliantly maneuver his way through the field and overtake the leader towards the end of lap one. Salahuddin and Kellogg were then engaged in an exciting battle, until Kellogg reclaimed the advantage coming out of turn one on lap three as Salahuddin began to experience problems with his brakes. The championship leader was then flying from there, building gaps of over 10 seconds ahead of his closest rivals before finally taking the chequered flag by 11.962 seconds from race runner-up Tim Birkin (Honda Integra).

Kellogg had a total winning time of 20 minutes 22.396 seconds in the 15-lap sprint held along Bahrain International Circuit 2.550-kilometre Inner track. Ghuloom finished in third place 12.292s behind Kellogg, while Salahuddin, who had such a promising start, skidded out of the race midway through and could not continue. Abdulla Al Jowder finished in fourth place, Alex Longden fifth, Hussain Karimi sixth and Ahmed Kuzbar seventh. Both Salahuddin and Raed Himmo were both not classified.

In race two which featured a reverse grid that placed Kuzbar in pole position, Kellogg and Birkin did their best to weave their way through the field in the first lap. Birkin managed to gain first place on lap two, with Kellogg not far behind in fourth. Birkin did his best to keep Kellogg behind him for much of the next few laps, but on the seventh could not fend off a passing move on a right-hander and Kellogg captured his place up in front. Kellogg went on to win in 20:31.024, while Birkin was a narrow 2.741s off the pace. Abdulla Al Jowder finished third 23.586s from first. Ghuloom was originally on the podium, but was later given a 15-second penalty for taking a shortcut during the first lap. Al Jowder was therefore promoted and Ghuloom demoted one position. Longden finished fifth, Hussain Karimi sixth and Kuzbar seventh, while Himmo and Salahuddin did not compete.