Ready to race: 2013 Dunlop 24H DUBAI is on this weekend!
This weekend, January 10th till 12th, the Dubai Autodrome will host the eighth running of the Dunlop 24H DUBAI, the first international endurance race of the year for GTs, touring cars and 24H Specials. Organised by Dutch agency CREVENTIC in co-operation with DNRT and the Dubai Autodrome Motorsports Club, the race has become established as the most international endurance event of the year. The entry list for this year’s event shows a total of 82 teams from 18 countries and drivers with 41 different nationalities, competing with 25 different car brands. The race once again promises to be thrilling affair!
No less than 27 cars have been entered in the A6 class, predominantly for machinery to international GT3 standards. With Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Audi R8 LMS ultra, BMW Z4 GT3, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper Competition Coupé, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo LP600 plus, McLaren MP4-12C GT3, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Porsche 997 R, RSR and Cup S, this class is filled with breath-taking sportscars which, theoretically, could all be contenders for overall honours. Last year, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 cars locked out the podium in Dubai, but BMW and Porsche are also in the winners’ list of the event and both brands again have a strong presence. Moreover, the debut of the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in Dubai is being eagerly awaited, the car having won the 24H BARCELONA last September.
The SP2 class has eight entries, including Renault Mégane and GC Automobile silhouette cars, a Chevrolet Corvette, an Audi TT RS and two new cars: a BMW M3 silhouette and the Belgian VDS GT 001-R, which is making its competition debut. The 997 class for Porsche Cup cars includes seven teams, while the SP3-GT4 class is the second-biggest category with twelve participating teams, running Aston Martin, BMW, Ginetta, GC, Lotus, Nissan and Porsche cars. A special feat: all the winners of the various Nissan PlayStation GT Academy competitions will be on the grid for this year’s race.
The A3T class includes three SEAT Leon Supercopa cars and a BMW 320D with an all-female line-up, the five Dutch lady racers once again competing under the ‘Racing Divas’ banner. Traditionally, the A4 class is an all-BMW affair, while various BMWs and a pair of Lotus cars have been entered into the A5 class. In the D1 diesel class, a Volkswagen and a SEAT will be up against three BMWs and the A2 class has nine entries, with a Honda, a Citroën C2, a Lotus Elise, three Minis and as many Renault Clios.
Cars and equipment have arrived, teams start preparations
No less than 70 cargo containers with the cars and equipment of the various teams have arrived at the Dubai Autodrome and have been placed in the paddock, directly behind the pit boxes. One by one, teams are arriving in Dubai as well and start preparations for the race. “It is always nice to welcome the people to Dubai and see the smiles on their face as they arrive here, no matter if they are first-time competitors or regulars of the event,” says Gerrie Willems on behalf of CREVENTIC. “With daytime temperatures of around 25 degrees, it is very pleasant here in Dubai and everything looks set for a great race. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Dunlop, Nissan, Bilstein and Besaplast, our main event sponsors, for their great contribution towards this race.”
More than 100 media representatives from all over the world are expected in Dubai as well. MOTORS TV and various other TV channels will provide extensive live broadcasting with up to 16 hours of live coverage during the event. The experts from Radio Show Ltd, the team behind Radio Le Mans, will be on site to provide commentary. Information about TV coverage can be found online at www.24hseries.com. Live streaming, timing and latest news will be available at live.24hseries.com, while the event will also be covered on Twitter (#24HDUBAI) and on Facebook.
Photo: webgallery -http://live.24hseries.com/
