Dubai 24H news 2010-09-02

New record entry with 90 cars expected for Dunlop 24H of Dubai!

GENNEP (August 31st, 2010) Four months prior to the sixth running of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai, the first international motor race of the year for GTs, touring cars and 24H specials (January 13th-15th, 2011), 80 entries have already been received. "Teams and drivers from over 30 countries have already signed up for our race. As a result of this huge interest, we have received permission from the Dubai Autodrome circuit management to increase the grid capacity to 90 cars", says Gerrie Willems on behalf of Dutch agency, CREVENTIC, organisers and promoters of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai.

Until September 15th, teams still have the possibility to submit their entry for the race at the discounted rate of 7310 Euros, transport of the race car and equipment to Dubai included. "Now that we have received the permission to run 90 cars in the race, there are still ten grid slots available", says Gerrie Willems. "Teams that enter when we have reached the number of 90 entrants will be put on a waiting list." Of course, Willems and his colleagues at CREVENTIC are well pleased with this huge interest for the race. "It clearly shows that the Dunlop 24H of Dubai has become firmly established on the international motorsport calendar. Many of our regular competitors will be joining us again, while we have also many entries from new teams", says Willems.

Changes in regulations to enhance competition

Based on the experience from the previous five events, the organisers and promoters of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai have decided to make some changes in the regulations for the event to enhance the competition and to allow for a wider variety of cars to take part. Gerrie Willems sums up: "We have created a special class for the Porsche 996 and 997. There are still many 996-based race cars around that are considerably cheaper to run than the 997. The A6 class is now really the territory of GT2 and GT3 cars. Next to the Porsches RSR, Cup S and Cup R, new cars like the Audi R8 LMS, Lamborghini, BMW Z4 GT3, Corvette, Ferrari 430, Jaguar XKR and even the Spyker C8 Laviolette are also allowed in this category. We have even received an entry for two Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG cars."

In order to prevent any domination, a balance of performance system will be in force. "We didn't want to get faster lap times at the front of the field, which saw the Porsche RSR setting the pace in previous years. Instead, we wanted better chances for the cars just behind the outright front runners", says Gerrie Willems. "As a result, it is still possible to win overall with a Porsche 997 Cup car, although it will not be easy, because the level in the field is high." Another change for 2011, there will no longer be a separate silhouette class. Willems: "Of course, we still very much welcome the beautiful silhouette cars. We will accommodate them in the category that is best suited for each individual type of car." Moreover, the A2 category for two litre petrol engines is now also open for cars with turbocharged petrol engines up to 1600 cc, allowing cars like the Mini turbo in, whilst the A3T class has been extended to a maximum engine capacity of 2600 cc. The popular class SP3-GT4, mainly for GT4 cars, and the SP2 class for exceptional cars, will remain the same.

Driver IDs help fans find their favourites

To popular demand, a driver identification system will be used for the first time during the sixth running of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai. This will make it easier for fans to find their favourite drivers and also allows all the followers of the race, both at the track and at home through the live online coverage, to determine which driver is behind the wheel of which car.

"After the summer holidays, we have a busy time coming up", says Gerrie Willems. "First of all, we have our 12-hour race in Hungary on October 8th and 9th, and then we start the final preparations for the race in Dubai. Of course, Dubai is a very nice place to spend a few days in January, with the beautiful weather, the new Burj Khalifa, the shopping malls etc. We can't think of any better place to start the 2011 racing season than Dubai!"

-source: www.24hseries.com