The race weekend on 8 February at Dubai Autodrome will feature the inaugural running of the NGK 300 endurance race for a variety of car categories, making it the first race of its kind in the region.
DAMC manager Richard Birch explained, “The event will be historic as for the first time we will be running a variety of cars including Radicals, GTs and Touring Cars in one race, which in itself will be an interesting challenge for competitors.”
“We are hoping to see the season regulars on the grid, but are also hoping that the many drivers sitting out the season will be tempted to compete even as a one-off and be part of a first in UAE motorsport,” added Birch.
The concept is akin to races such as Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours where prototypes line up on the grid along with touring cars. The concept has been part of endurance races since the sixties, and the introduction in this region is aimed at bolstering grids, while offering drivers an alternative challenge to the customary sprint race format. With grids down on most National Race Days, with a number of drivers sitting out this season, the event is expected to lure some drivers and teams back to racing even if for only this one event.
Former UAE Touring Car champion Spencer Vanderpal, who led his SVDP Racing team to class victory in the recent Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai, will enter the class winning BMW.
“SVDP Racing would like to announce it will be participating in the first NGK 300 endurance race on 8 February. SVDP Racing will also be unveiling its new colour scheme and sponsor,” said Vanderpal.
“I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking the Dubai Autodrome for it continuing support to the local racing scene in Dubai,” added the team boss.
Early indications are that there will be a healthy entry, with most of the current NGK Racing Series regulars set to enter the series. Talk of a second Ferrari, a Mosler, a Lamborghini and several touring cars entering the NGK 300 are doing the rounds within the motorsport community.
AUH Motorsport team principal and Radical Winter Series organiser Carl Rolaston said of the 300km endurance concept, “The NGK 300 provides a different challenge to competitors, particularly the Radical drivers who will have to contend with slower cars while battling among themselves. It is going to be interesting.”
The race will be held over 70 laps on the Dubai Autodrome’s International Circuit configuration, and early calculations suggest that the race should last about two hours.
On Friday, 8 February qualifying for the NGK 300 takes place at 10.10am at Dubai Autodrome, with the inaugural event set to be flagged off at 14.30pm. Also on the day will be two rounds of the Motorcity UAE Sportbikes Championship, where the country’s top two wheel protagonists will battle it out in a tight contest for top honours in the series which boasts a big field and very close racing.
