Dubai: Dubai Kartdrome is gearing up to host round two of the 2014 Endurance Championship driven by Mini on the challenging Reverse Switchback configuration, which will run over 600 laps on Friday and Saturday.

In February, after a one-year lay-off from the competition, Batelco made a welcome return and took top honours in a tense opening round run over 12 hours. Reclaiming the title — which they held from 2010 to 2012 — is their focus.

The Bahraini outfit were chased hard throughout the 12 hours by CG Racing, Dubai 5 and Dubai Falcon Racing Team.

Barring a major upset, this quartet are most likely to feature at the front of proceedings in the 600-lap contest, which should run for about 12 to 13 hours. The final result will count towards the all-important SWS Sodi-W-Series and places in the prestigious Sodi World Finals in 2015.

CG Racing, who have continued to raise the bar in recent years, are again targeting the ‘Triple Crown’ — which means they are targeting top spots in the Pro Category, Corporate Category and the Nations Cup.

Increasingly important and fiercely contested is the Corporate Category, where CG Racing are likely to encounter tough rivalry from Lukoil Racing Team and Emirates Racing Team, who finished second and third respectively last time out.

In the Nations Cup, CG Racing will again be tough to beat with their two teams targeting victory, but they will be pushed hard by all-Emirati squads such as Dubai 5 and Mini Dubai, with Russia’s Lukoil Racing Team also in the mix.

Optimum management of strategy, team work and endurance will be key factors for success in the 600-lap race. The May races have always been among the toughest of the four-round contest as conditions, particularly heat and humidity, severely test drivers and their teams.

Kartdrome manager Ryan Trutch said ahead of the race weekend: “We will have 28 teams on the grid, of which 24 return from the first round of the championship, which looks to be shaping up to be one of the closest championship battles for years.

“This weekend we will also be unveiling the new R56 model Mini prior to the start of the race and doing Mini test drives from the car park on Friday evening. Everyone is welcome. We would like to thank Mini for their ongoing support of the championship,” added Trutch.

The race will be flagged off with a Le Mans style start at 9 pm on Friday and is scheduled to end around 10 am on Saturday. Entry is free for spectators, who have access to excellent viewing areas, as well as access to the pit area, which will be a hive of activity with more than 300 drivers and team personnel on duty during the dozen or so hours of racing.