Kartdrome 24 Hours honour Christophe Hissette

Christophe Hissette flies the chequered flag after another triumph at the Kartdrome

20 October 2010
Press Release: Preview Battery 24 Hours at the Kartdrome

The legacy of Christophe Hissette will always be largely associated with the Dubai Kartdrome, particularly his legendary exploits in the Nivea for Men Endurance Challenge 24 Hours races and most recently in the Battery 24 Hours in early April 2010. Hence it is appropriate that there will be one minute of silence, before the start of the race, in his honour.

Christophe was killed during practice for the final round of the GulfSport Radical Cup at Dubai Autodrome on 23 April 2010.

Motor racing records will show that Christophe, during his racing career, was part of more winning teams than any other driver in 24 hours endurance races at the Kartdrome. What they won’t always show is the massive role he invariably played to help his teams to victory on these numerous occasions.

One of his most famous wins at the Kartdrome is without doubt in the 2007 edition of the endurance challenge when he had to make up a lap on the leading team in the final hour of the race. Christophe had already driven more stints than his team mates when team manager Mike Wilkes assigned him to the last stint. What transpired is now part of karting folklore and will always be remembered by those present at the Kartdrome on the day.

In a show of relentless determination, Christophe reeled in the leading driver and scythed down a one minute lead by a second per lap. Halfway around the final lap, of the 24 hours race, he pounced to take the lead and win the race by the narrowest of margins ever. Unforgettable.

Shortly before his tragic passing, Christophe was part of the Batelco Team which triumphed in the April opening round of the 2010 Battery 24 Hours Endurance Championship. Again his role in the victory was prominent.

Dubai Autodrome Chairman Saeed Khalfan said, “This edition of the Kartdrome 24 Hours will be the first of many that will not feature Christophe Hissette doing what he did best – leading his team to victory. But his racing spirit will be forever at the Kartdrome where he had so many admirers and where he impressed so many people. We will pay tribute to him with one minute of silence on Friday shortly before the start of the race.”

Most of the drivers and teams lining up on the grid will have raced with Christophe over the years. Many drivers carry his name on their helmet or race karts, including Sheikh Hasher al Maktoum who has Christophe’s name on his visor.

Christophe Hissette touched and affected many people. Thus 24 hours races at the Kartdrome will always be remembered as “his turf” where he excelled so often. And as his friends and relatives say: “Christophe, gone but never to be forgotten.”

The second round of the Battery 24 Hours starts at 14:00pm on Friday at the Kartdrome and will feature twenty of the region’s best karters in action until the flag drops at 14:00 on Saturday. Entrance to the event is free and spectators are welcome to attend.