Dubai: Dubai Autodrome has announced race dates for the forthcoming 2014-2015 motor racing season.
There will be six race days for UAE national racing featuring the prestigious Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East and the early January dates for the tenth edition of the 24 Hours of Dubai have been confirmed, which this year is backed by Hankook.
The 2014-2015 calendar has been streamlined to accommodate the best interests of competitors and teams who sought a less cluttered schedule over the six months in which racing takes place in the UAE.
This will not only help competitors to cut costs, it also provides the organisers — Dubai Autodrome Motorsport Club (DAMC) — an opportunity to create bigger and entertainment-packed race days at the region’s first motor racing circuit, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary.
To celebrate the milestone, the first week of December will feature several high-profile events, both at the Autodrome and the Kartdrome, with the highlight of the week being the Dubai Motorsport Festival on the weekend of December 4-6.
On the cards will be races for the NGK Racing Series featuring the UAE Clio Cup, UAE Sportbike Championship, Formula Gulf 1000, Radical Middle East Cup and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.
Dubai Autodrome general manager Richard Birch said: “We have an exciting schedule planned for the 2014-2015 season, which as per wishes of competitors is reduced in terms of amount of race dates during the season. This provides the racing community with an opportunity to prepare well and deliver six good national status events, while of course ensuring that the Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai will, for the tenth time, be of the highest standards once again.”
“It is a win-win situation for everyone as budgets in motorsport are always an issue, and by reducing the amount of race dates we have adhered to the wishes of the majority of competitors, while creating an opportunity whereby we can maximise the entertainment element of each event we stage at Dubai Autodrome. We look forward to hosting memorable race days next season.” added Birch.
Yas Marina Circuit will host the season opener, featuring the NGK Racing Series on October 31, which will be followed by the Dubai Autodrome’s first race of the 2014-2015 season two weeks later.
The NGK Racing Series will make a second visit to Yas Marina Circuit on March 13, 2015. The final race of the season takes place on April 3 at the Autodrome.
