The Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship (also known as the Chevrolet Lumina CSV Championship Middle East) was a one-make auto racing championship for Chevrolet Luminas held in the Middle East.[1]
| Category | One-make racing |
|---|---|
| Country | Middle East |
| Inaugural season | 2005–06 |
| Folded | 2011–12 |
| Constructors | Chevrolet |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Last Drivers' champion |  Alban Varutti (SC09) Nasser Al Alawi (SC06) |
| Official website | www.supercarsme.com Archived with Wayback Machine |
History edit
Run by the Bahrain International Circuit, the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship was launched in 2005 in an attempt to establish a domestic racing scene in the Middle East. Vehicles were Improved Production versions of Holden Commodore VZs re-badged as Chevrolet Luminas, utilising Chevrolet V8 engines and a four-speed gearbox. For the 2009–10 season, the championship developed a class structure whereby the Holden Commodore VE was introduced as the top-class Chevrolet Lumina SC09 and the VZ model became a secondary-class Chevrolet Lumina SC06, with the SC09 cars 50hp better than the previous generation.[2]
The championship was held over six seasons, each held in the Middle Eastern winter. No championship was held in 2008–09. Bahraini driver Fahad Al Musalam was the series' most successful driver with two titles.[3] Due to the vehicles similarity to V8 Supercars, Al Musalam and compatriot Raed Raffii earned tests with Garry Rogers Motorsport and Paul Morris Motorsport respectively – Al Musalam going on to race for Team Kiwi Racing in the 2008 Desert 400.[4][5]
Circuits edit
Bahrain International Circuit (2005–06 to 2007–08, 2009–10 to 2011–12)
Dubai Autodrome (2007–08)- Yas Marina Circuit (2009–10)
Reem International Circuit (2009–10 to 2010–11)
Champions edit
| Chevrolet Lumina CSV Championship Middle East | ||
|---|---|---|
| Season | Champion | |
| 2005–06 |  Jamie Morrow
| |
| 2006–07 |  Tarek El Gammal
| |
| 2007–08 | Fahad Al Musalam
| |
| Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship | ||
| Season | SC09 Champion | SC06 Champion |
| 2009–10 | Fahad Al Musalam
|
Faisal Raffii
|
| 2010–11 | Raed Raffii
|
Ezra Idafar
|
| 2011–12 | Alban Varutti
|
Nasser Al Alawi
|
References edit
- ^ "Michael Patrizi wins at Yas Marina!". Speedcafe. 20 February 2010.
- ^ "Bahrain V8s: Chevrolet Supercars Middle East opens for registration with major upgrades package". Circuit Pro Digital. 25 September 2010.
- ^ "Chevrolet Supercars 2009/2010 Season Finale". Elements BH. 25 May 2010.
- ^ "Raed Raffii impresses in V8 Supercar test". Speedcafe. 16 July 2010.
- ^ "Motorsport: Kiwis sign Mideast driver". New Zealand Herald. 6 November 2008.