Dubai Falcons fly high in endurance event

Dubai: The Dubai Falcons Racing Team became the first all-Emirati driving line-up to win a karting endurance race in the UAE yesterday. The Kartdrome 12 Hours victory was doubly satisfying because it marked the second round of the 2012 Kartdrome Endurance Championship.

Captained by Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum and including two of the country's top young motor racing talents in Saeed Al Muhairi and Mohammad Al Mutawa, Dubai Falcons battled reigning champions Batelco right through the race with never more than a lap separating the two teams.

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With an hour to go, Shaikh Hasher took over the Dubai Falcons kart leading the race by a mere 12 seconds, with Batelco's Alban Verutti drafted in for their last stint. The Dubai Falcons captain kept his cool in scorching conditions to take victory by just 5.687 seconds after completing 579 laps. "I am very happy with this win. We have come close in the past but made small mistakes that cost us. But today we made no mistakes and stuck to a good pace which, in the end, was enough to win. Being an all Emirati driver line-up makes it extra special," Shaikh Hasher said.

Al Mutawa added: "It is very satisfying to win with such good drivers and all of us being UAE nationals is good for the sport. I am very happy to have been part of this victory."

Standing: Top ten overall

• 1 Dubai Falcon Racing Team 579 laps
• 2 Batelco 579
• 3 CG Racing 576
• 4 CG Racing 2 576
• 5 Timeless Events Racing 575
• 6 UAE Arrow Racing Team 575
• 7 Al Ain Rockets 573
• 8 TrackTalk MediaBoltz 571
• 9 Rotax Masters 568
• 10 MBC Action 567