Dubai 24: JK Racing preview

Destination Dubai for Mitsubishi race team

Leading saloon car racer James Kaye heads to the United Arab Emirates this week to contest the spectacular Toyo Tires 24 endurance race in Dubai. Accompanying Kaye for the event will be four other drivers: Mark Lemmer, Raed Hassan, Charles Hall and Tom Gladdis.

Kaye and his team will be using the same Mitsubishi Motors UK Works Lancer Evolution X that was debuted at Silverstone in September, when it contested the Britcar 24-hour event. This inaugural outing was a resounding success for the team, the car running faultlessly throughout and crossing the line fifth in class and 25th overall, after covering a race-distance of 517 laps and 1651 miles.

Always popular with competitors, this year's Dubai 24-hour race sees a full entry of 75 cars line-up on the grid, with 20 different countries being represented, many of the teams experienced in contesting endurance events.

However Kaye, who has been a regular competitor in the British Touring Car Championship since 1992, is one of the most experienced saloon car racers in the UK and is undeterred by the competition:

"I am really looking forward to this weekend. It's a race I've wanted to do for a long time and it's great to have finally got the opportunity to compete in Dubai", said James. "Looking at the quality of the entries it's going to be a tough call to get near the front, but we'll certainly try. However, a 24-hour event is all about reliability and endurance and with our car and team, that's something that will work in our favour."

The race takes place at the impressive Dubai Autodrome, which was the first circuit of its kind in the Middle East. It incorporates an FIA sanctioned 5.39 km race track, international specification pit lane complex, with a "state-of-the-art" grandstand accommodating over 7,000 spectators, as well as hospitality suites for corporate customers.

Competitors will get the green light to start the race at 1.00pm on Friday 9th January and cross the finish line at the same time on Saturday.

The team is supported by: Toyo Tires, Al Habtoor Motors, Alcon, Speedline Corse, Janspeed, EcuTek, Exe-tc competition suspension and PIAA. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is built and prepared by JR Motorsports of Chesterfield.

-credit: jkr