Former Moto GP rider Marco Melandri, who is without a ride in this years series following the withdrawal of the works Kawasaki, enjoyed an eventful weekend in Qatar making his debut on four wheels in the Speedcar series.
Racing under floodlights at the Qatar Losail International circuit on Friday night, Mealandriqualified in a very respectable fourth place and finished his first race of the weekend in eighth position. Melandri’s compatriate Gianni Morbidelli won the first race ahead of ex formula one driver Vitantonio Liuzzi in second place.
In Saturday nights race, Melandristarted from pole position on the grid and looked set to score his first win. Having built up a lead of 7.5 seconds by lap nine and with only four laps remaining Melandri suddenly experienced mechanical problems, struggling with the gearbox and as he says “All of a sudden there were no more gears and I was out.”
The second race was won by Liuzzi.
