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6 January 2010
Build-up: Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai
All systems go for Dubai 24 Hours with free entry for race fans
Under the patronage of His Highness Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the countdown to the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai has begun. Eighty teams, five hundred drivers from twenty six different countries, over a thousand team crew members and tons of equipment are scheduled to arrive at Dubai Autodrome this weekend, for the race on 14, 15 and 16 January 2010.

The 24 Hours of Dubai will be running for the fifth year and His Highness, in a message in the race programme, said, “This event has become a fixture of our city’s sporting calendar. We expect around 80 entries from 26 countries which is the perfect way to start the year’s international motor racing calendar.”

The race marks the start of the international 2010 road racing season and has grown in stature to become one of the biggest 24 hour races of its kind. Dubai Autodrome Chairman Saeed Khalfan commented, “It is known that last year, perhaps due to global economic conditions, similar 24 hour races in Europe failed to attract big fields. In fact some were actually cancelled. With eighty teams coming to Dubai we are very proud that our venue still has the ability to attract top motor racing teams and drivers. Our event, in the UAE, is one that no one wants to miss.”

Of the eighty teams to do battle in the grueling 24 hours endurance race, eleven have UAE roots and include a large number of locally based drivers. Teams include the likes of Lap57 Racing, AUH Motorsport, DXB Racing, Zengo Dubai Team Motorsport and Duel Racing. Al Faisal Racing will be making the trip from Saudi Arabia.

Emirati drivers who will be in the thick of the action include: the Al Owais brothers Mohammed and Omran, Saeed Al Mehairi, Humaid and Al Masaood. While UAE Based drivers who are regular campaigners in the local UAEW National Championships include: Julian Griffin, John Simmonds, Carl Rolaston, Frederic Gaillard, Umair Khan and the Moutran clan Ramzi, Sami and Nabil. Several more drivers are likely to be signed up closer to the time.

The 24 Hours of Dubai has become an annual tradition and invariably throws up some major challenges to the competitors. Conditions can be fierce, with rain a distinct possibility. Teams that are well prepared and plan for all eventualities, who can couple this to a fast and consistent pace will no doubt feature in the final reckoning.

The event organisers, Creventic BV and Dubai Autodrome, have focused on making the race a family friendly affair with many off track attractions to keep fans entertained. Also for the first time there will be a Superkarts support race, which will be making their debut at the circuit.

Chairman Khalfan explains, “We want families to come out and enjoy the two days of action. Of course we cannot expect people to stay all 24 hours but personally I highly recommend that spectators make the effort to be here at the 2pm start because the sight of 80 cars in full flight in the opening stages of the race ranks up there as a spectacle in the mould of the 24 hour classics such as Le Mans and Daytona. And of course the finish the following day is always an emotional affair. In between, fans have easy access to the teams and drivers while a myriad of off-track activities in the paddock and grandstand area will keep everyone entertained.”

Track action for the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai starts on Thursday, 14 January with free practice, qualifying and night practice. The race will start on Friday, 15 January at 2 pm and finish 24 hours later. Entry to the event is free with invitations available for download http://www.dubaiautodrome.com

• Click here for provisional race weekend Timetable
• Click here for provisional Entry List

22 December 2009
Cars and equipment on route to UAE for Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai

From various ports all over the world, cars and equipment are currently being shipped to Dubai for the fifth anniversary edition of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai (January 14th till 16th), the annual 24-hour race for GT and touring cars and 24h specials.

“We will have 80 cars on the grid for the race”, says Gerrie Willems on behalf of Dutch agency Creventic BV, promoters and organisers of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai.

In October, 2004, Dutch entrepreneur and hobby racer Ivo Breukers first visited the Dubai Autodrome to attend a round of the FIA GT Championship. Impressed by the facility, Breukers immediately saw the opportunity to stage a 24-hour race there. “Ivo and I had raced together in several endurance events, so he asked me to join him”, recalls Gerrie Willems.

In January, 2005, Breukers and Willems visited the Dubai Autodrome together for the first time and discussed the possibility to have a race there early in 2006. “Circuit management and local authorities were enthusiastic about our plans and we received a lot of support from them”, says Willems.

Thus, the inaugural 24H of Dubai took place in January, 2006. “We had a total  of 67 entrants for our first race and we were quite pleased with that. During the 2005 season, we had promoted our event at other race meetings and we received positive reactions”, says Willems. “After that, our event has shown steady progress.”

The second running in 2007 already attracted 77 competitors and 87 cars took part in the race in 2008. Challenging economic conditions meant that the grid was slightly down at 77 cars for 2009, but Willems is expecting 80 cars for the fifth anniversary edition in January.

Ever since the inaugural race in 2006, Creventic has enjoyed a close and successful co-operation with DNRT, organisers of many endurance events in The Netherlands.

“The DNRT staff, first and foremost its chairman Huub Vermeulen and its secretary Ria Waterreus, has a vast experience in organising race events and they have been very helpful for us over the years”, says Gerrie Willems. “Special features like the ‘code-60’ instead of safety car interventions in case of an accident are among the contributions that DNRT has made to our event and our participants really appreciate that.

Last week, 35 containers with cars and equipment have been shipped from the port of Antwerp in Belgium. Other teams are sending their containers from various ports in Italy, Great Britain, Spain, Australia and Japan. The first activity for teams and drivers in Dubai is the traditional Welcome Party at “The Address” hotel with view of the Burj Dubai.

Track action for the Dunlop 24H of Dubai starts on Thursday, January 14th, with free practice, qualifying and night practice. The 24-hour race will start on Friday, January 15th, at 2 pm. The “Superkart” series, the official support category of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai, will have three races.

Click here for Provisional Entry List for 2010 Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai

15 November 2009
Motorsport News
Huge interest for fifth anniversary edition Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai in January 2010

From 14 to 16 January 2010, the Dubai Autodrome will again host the annual 24-hour race for GT and touring cars and 24h specials. Next year’s running of the race will mark the fifth anniversary edition of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai and already now, the organisers from Dutch agency Creventic BV have received many registrations. “Currently we already have 75 entries, so we expect a full grid again.  All the cars and equipment of the teams will be shipped to Dubai, December 8th from Antwerp in Belgium. So, last minute, teams still have a possibility to enter for the race. However, there are only few places left”, says Creventic’s Gerrie Willems.

After the four successful previous editions, the Dunlop 24H of Dubai has become firmly established on the global motorsport calendar as the first international endurance race of the year. For next year’s fifth anniversary edition, teams from Europe, Australia, Japan, China and the United Arab Emirates have already signed up. “It is positive to see the steady increase in the number of participants from the Emirates”, says Gerrie Willems. “That is a clear sign that motorsport is becoming more and more popular in the Gulf region, too. Moreover, with more teams from Australia and Asia joining us for next year, the worldwide appeal of our event is clear.”

A varied entry with GT and touring cars

The provisional entry lists includes a wide array of competition machinery. Top of the bill are of course the thoroughbred sports cars like Ascari KZ1 R GT3, Aston Martin Vantage N24, BMW Z4 M Coupé, Brokernet Silversting, Ferrari F430, Donkervoort, Dodge Viper, Lotus Exige, Marcos Mantis, Saker and Ginetta and, of course, a large quantity of Porsche 996 and 997 RSR and Cup cars. However, one of the assets of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai is that the race is also open to smaller, less expensive cars like Renault Clio, SEAT Leon Supercopa, Volkswagen Golf and BMW 1- and 3-series, both with petrol and with diesel engines. The event concept with various different classes allows all types of cars to compete for class honours.

“When you look at the entry list, there are at least 20 contenders for overall victory”, says Gerrie Willems. “The winners of the 2009 edition, Land Motorsport, are back with their Porsches, but so are the second- and the third-placed teams, Al Faisal Motorsport with the BMW Z4 and Besaplast Racing with the Porsche. Of course, the Hungarian Bovi Motorsport’s Brokernet Silversting was very strong in the 12H of Hungary while the Petronas Syntium Team from Japan have also joined us with a pair of BMW Z4 Coupés. There is a works-entry from Dutch sports car brand Donkervoort and the Maserati GT4 will also race for the first time in our event. And then there are many, many more.”

Click here for Provisional Entry List for 2010 Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai

Spectacular Superkarts as the official support category

Next to the GT and touring cars that will feature in the 24-hour race, there will be some more powerful machinery on the track: the spectacular International Superkart Series are the official support category for the fifth edition of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai. The programme for the Superkarts includes one free practice session, two qualifying heats and no less than three races! With its wide Asphalt-covered run-off areas, the Dubai Autodrome is perfectly suited for the fast Superkarts that can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h! More information can be found at www.24hdubai.com, the official website of the event.

Press Release by Creventic BV 
E-mail : willems@creventic.com
Web: www.24hseries.com