Dubai: The 2014 Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai is fast approaching, and this year’s event — to be held at the Dubai Autodrome from January 9-11 — promises a distinct UAE flavour.
Along with more than 80 teams, including some 400 drivers from over 40 countries, set to line up on the grid, there will also be a strong contingent of Emirati competitors taking part in the ninth edition of this classic endurance event.
Topping the list is double winner Khalid Al Qubaisi, who is intent on a hat-trick of victories at his home race, which he and his team won in 2012 and 2013, and will again line-up with two outfits in Team Abu Dhabi by Black Falcon colours.
Al Qubaisi will share the driving with DTM legend Bernd Schneider and the ultra-quick pairing of Jeroen Bleekemolen, Andreas Simonsen and Dubai Autodrome regular Prince Abdul Aziz Al Faisal, who has been drafted into the team for the first time.
Also targeting outright victory is Dragon Racing, who have entered two Ferraris for Dubai Autodrome regulars Rob Barff, Bassam Kronfli, Jordan Grogor, Mohammad Jawa, Khalid Al Mudhaf and Frederic Fatien in the driving seat.
The Moutran brothers, including UAE champion Sami, along with Nabeel and Ramzi, will be joined by British ace Phil Quaife in the Memac Oglivy Duel Racing Seat Leon Supercopa with A3T Class victory in their sights.
Lap57 Racing Team, who have a rich pedigree in UAE national racing, have entered their pocket rocket Honda in the A2 Class with the trio of UAE champions Mohammad Al Owais, Nadir Zuhour and Umair Khan joined by Abullah Al Hammadi and Japan’s Junichi Umemoto.
SVDP Racing have entered their class-winning BMW 120D with former UAE champion Spencer Vanderpal joined by Dubai-based duo Jason O’Keefe and Chris Wishart, along with South African Kris Budnik and Dutchman Wubbe Hertaar.
Emirati driver Bashar Mardini will be part of the Italian run GDL Racing line-up, which includes Nigel Farmer, Paul and Ray Stubber at the wheel of a Porsche.
Abbas Al Alawi is the only UAE driver in an otherwise all-Qatari line-up consisting of Saif Al Naemi, Hamad Al Asam, Abdul Aziz Abdullah and Abdullah Al Kharaan, who will share a Suzuki Swift.
UAE teams have become increasingly competitive over the years, improving with each edition of the Dunlop 24 Hours. Several teams have notched up class wins during the course of the past decade. This time around, as in the past three years, an Emirati driver or team is capable of claiming the top prize in the UAE’s biggest race while a number of other local drivers could also be celebrating on Saturday afternoon.
Dubai Autodrome general manager Richard Birch commented, “It is always great to see homegrown talent show their skills on an international stage. It gives us who live in the UAE something to cheer about and be proud of at the Dunlop 24 Hours.”
“With the likes of Abu Dhabi Black Falcon and Dragon Racing capable of winning the race outright, and the likes of Lap57 Racing Team, Memac Ogilvy Duel Racing and SVDP Racing capable of class wins, all adds local interest to this multi-national event. All this, coupled to UAE drivers in action for international teams, provides valuable inspiration and motivation for local racing drivers,” Birch added.
Proceedings will be streamed live throughout the race on the official http://www.24hdubai.com/ website.
On-track action starts on Wednesday with optional private testing, which should see most of the big guns out to dust off any cobwebs that might have gathered during the festive season.
The first of three free practice sessions will get under way at 11.30 am on Thursday. This will be followed by three qualifying sessions, the first of which gets going at 3pm the same day.
On Friday, track action starts at 10.30am with a half-hour warm-up, with the race set to be flagged off at 2pm. The chequered flag will wave, to bring proceedings to an end 24 hours later, on Saturday at 2pm. This will be followed by podium ceremonies for all classes.
Entry for spectators is free throughout the weekend, including qualifying and race days,
In the Paddock Village, a range of activities are sure to keep fans entertained.
