Report: National Race Day at Dubai Autodrome

Cytech UAE GT on the way to winning the GTA Class in the House of Portier Corvette driven by Karim Al Azhari and Fabien Giroix

26 November 2010

The Cytech UAE GT one hour mini-enduro race was the highlight of the fifth UAE national race day of the season at Dubai Autodrome. On the support bill were a pair of races for UAE Sportscars, three races for the Suzuki Swift Cup and one race for UAE Sportbikes.

Cytech UAE GT: Al Azhari and Giroix win thriller as Al Mutawaa, Skula and Cregan win their classes

Round 3 of the Cytech UAE GT Championship turned out to be one of the best on record. Close racing across the quality field was a highlight of the day.

In the premier GTA Class it was two in a row for the TAM Auto Engineering prepared House of Portier Corvette pairing of Karim Al Azhari and Fabien Giroix. The duo staved off a concerted challenge from the Bassam Kronfli/Raed Hassan Ginetta in the early stages, with Kronfli leading a large part of the first half of the race.

After the pitstops the Dodge Viper of Julian Griffin to the lead and what followed was a thrilling battle for top spot between the Viper and the Corvette, with Giroix in the cockpit. Griffin showed why his considered one of the best GT drivers around as he held onto the lead despite immense pressure, but with four minutes left to run in the hour long enduro Giroix made his move to take the lead and the chequered flag.

Al Azhari said afterwards, “This was a great win. My role in the first stint was to keep the tyres in good shape for Fabien. And when he got in the cockpit he did the business. Another good showing by our team.”

It was a double on the day for the TAM Auto Engineering/House of Portier squad as Mohammed Al Mutawaa and Jiri Skula powered to victory in the GTB Class ahead of the MSW Racing Porsche of Jon Simmonds and Phil Quaife. The latter were penalised after the race but still managed to take second place in class.

Simmonds said, “I am extremely satisfied with today’s result. Considering we only had this weekend to familiarise themselves with the car. It was a pleasant surprise to secure a place on the podium. I am confident that over the coming races, as the drivers get to know the car better we will be challenging for first place.”

The hotly contested GTC Class was won by Robert Cregan in the GulfSport Maserati ahead of team mate Joe Ghanam. The biggest cheer of the day went to third placed pairing of Saad Salman and Jordan Grogor in the KTM X-Bow.

Cregan said, “I am really happy to snatch my second win this season. It was a tough race, we have to give it 110% to secure class win. With two wins in three races, I am looking forward to a very exciting yet challenging season.”

ARM boss of Alex Renner reflected on the day where several cars prepared by his company were in action, “Unfortunately our cars got two drive through penalties, which made it hard for us to win in each class, however, this is only the third race of the season, and we hope we will have a good couple of races to come, especially with Sheikh Khaled Al Thani, from Qatar, racing with us.”

Race Results: Cytech UAE GT

UAE Sportbikes: Grosjean wins but tragedy strikes on slow down lap

With the main 1000 Class UAE Sportbike regulars doing duty in the Qatar Superbike Championship, the 600 Class became the highlight on the series on the day.

Reigning champion Pascal Grosjean (Yamaha) was the man to beat and got a great start to take the lead into turn one. Tucked in behind him was Jason Burnside (Mapei Honda) and Tony Jordan (Yamaha). The trio were inseparable for most of the race. In the end it was Grosjean who took top honours by 1.9 seconds from second placed Burnside  and Jordan third.

Shortly after the finish line, on the slow down lap after the race Grosjean, who was being congratulated by Burnside, was hit from behind by Jordan. This resulted in Grosjean being airlifted to hospital and Jordan being taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment. Early reports indicated that the injuries are serious and both admitted into ICU where Grosjean passed away druing the night while Jordan was described to be in serious condition. Burnside suffered no injuries. Read statment here…

Race Results: UAE Sportbikes

UAE Sportscars: Victory for George and Juno break their Autodrome duck as Bradshaw wins

It was a good day for Juno who prior to this, round 4 of the UAE Sportscar Championship, had not won a race at Dubai Autdrome. British driver Tom Bradshaw finished second in race one and took the chequered flag in race two.

Another great performance on the day was Bob George (Radical SR3) who was the race one winner and third in race two.

Reigning champion Jordan Grogor (AUH Motorsport Radical SR3) was second in the first race and finished third in race two.

Race Results: UAE Sportscars

Suzuki Swift Cup: Papantonis hat-trick

For the first time in the UAE the Suzuki Swift Cup was run as a separate race (previously the series was integrated into the UAE Touring Car Championship) adn although a dozen entries were expected. Half the expected drivers turned up on the grid. Former UAE champion Costas Papantonis was unbeatable on the day as he powered to a hat-trick of victories on the day.

Race Results: Suzuki Swift Cup