ABU DHABI // An all-Emirati team will be firing on all cylinders today when they take part in the first 12-hour endurance race at Yas Marina Circuit.
The Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management entry of Saeed Al Mehairi, Mohammed Al Mutawaa, and Thani bin Thani will compete in two six-hour races in a Yas Aston Marin GT4.
The Gulf 12 Hours will feature race cars from around the world in the GT2, GT3, GT4, Porsche Cup and Prototype categories.
"The race is a great platform for introducing endurance racing to Yas Marina Circuit and region," Richard Cregan, the chief executive of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, said.
"It provides an internationally recognised event where local stars can compete with drivers from around the world on one of the best motorsports circuits.
"Our target is to develop this event so that it is the No 1 endurance race in the GCC and will attract as many international and local drivers, as possible.
"We are pleased to be supporting three of the UAE's best drivers in this race."
Despite being afforded just 40-minutes to work on their cars during the break between races, Al Mehairi is excited by the challenge of being part of an all-Emirati team competing in the first endurance race to be staged at Yas Marina since it was built in 2009.
"There are quite a few really good drivers here in the UAE and this is a great opportunity for us to race against an international field," Al Mehairi said.
Bin Thani, his teammate, said: "Endurance racing is not easy; it is very different from the one-hour races that we are used to in the UAE GT Championship.
"It involves a lot of stamina, concentration and consistency, and will be a much greater challenge, both physically and mentally."
To minimise the gap between the fastest and the slowest cars, touring cars with power less than 300 BHP will not be admitted.
"There are several categories of car involved in this race," Al Mutawaa said. "From the much faster GT2s and GT3s, to our GT4s. This difference in performance will mean that the racing will be very busy from start to finish.
"Not only will we be focused on trying to overtake the car ahead of us, but we will also have to be watching in our mirrors to avoid holding up the faster categories."
Andrea Ficarelli, a director of Driving Force Events, the organiser of the Gulf 12 Hours, said the race will be the first step of a multiyear agreement with Yas Marina Circuit.
"Together with Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management, our intention is to develop this race into a classic," Ficarelli said.
"Hence, we have been very selective in the categories and cars that will make up the grid, which will include special race variants of the world's most popular supercars.
"In addition, we feel that the format of two six-hour races will create a superb spectator experience. We are keen to include garage tours, pit lane walks and grid access in between each of the races."
Race 1 is due to begin at 9.30am and will continue through to 3.30pm.
There will be a 90 minute break between races, allowing spectators entry to the pitlane to watch mechanics work on the cars.
Race 2 is scheduled to start at 5pm and will conclude at 11pm.
* Agency
