Dubai: SVDP Racing, the Dubai-based racing team, will enter their BMW 120d in the 2012 edition of the Dubai 24-hour race, which will take place between January 12 and 14.
The event at Dubai Autodrome will be the team's third 24-hour race after competing in the Britcar competition at Silverstone in 2010 and last year's Dubai event. The team and car finished a creditable 34th overall at Silverstone and second in class in the 2011 Dubai 24-hour race.
SVDP have been competing the UAE racing series under its various guises for the last five years, when they have had success as class champions in 2006/07 and second in class in 2010/11.
As part of the race preparation, weight has been removed from the car by replacing the standard doors and bonnet with glass fibre ones and the removal of all unnecessary brackets. As a result the car now weighs the minimum permissible for the event. New wheel hubs, turbocharger and a thorough service will be carried out before the event. A comprehensive spares package has been put together should an incident occur during the event.
The team comprises manager Ian Rodgers and drivers Spencer Vanderpal and Chris Wishart. They are joined by Jonathan Mullan, who competes in the UAE Touring Car Championship, and experienced endurance driver Peter Moulsdale, who is a former Bahrain Touring Car Championship competitor. The mechanics and support team are all volunteers who give up their time to help out and participate in the event.
Rodgers said: "The objective is for the car to spend as little time in the pits as possible so that we are out on the track racking up the laps and to get the car to the finish. We will be seeking quick but consistent lap times from the drivers so that we are not overstressing the car."
Sponsorship and product support helps the team compete.
