Team Abu Dhabi ready for test of endurance at the 24 Hours of Rouen in France

Team Abu Dhabi are in northern France preparing for this weekend’s 53rd edition of the 24 Hours of Rouen, the marine version of motorsport’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

First-timers

The team from Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) have taken a break from the UIM XCAT World Series and the UIM F1 H2O World Championship. They have entered two boats in the race on France’s River Seine for the first time and will be seen competing in the S2 class. There are three classes in all.

Four drivers

Four drivers will take turns to steer each of the race hulls. Double UIM F1 H2O world champion Alex Carella will team up with Emiratis Thani Al Qamzi and Majed Al Mansouri, with Tullio Abbate set to crew Team Abu Dhabi 35.

• See also: Victory Team look to increase lead in UIM XCat World Series ahead of third round in Switzerland

The other team

Three regular racers in the UIM F-4S Trophy – Mohammed Al Mehairbi, Rashid Al Qamzi and Alberto Comparato – will join Team’s Abu Dhabi’s Rashid Al Tayer in the second boat, Team Abu Dhabi 36.

Carella’s experience

“This is an event that is very close to my heart and something I really enjoy,” Carella, pictured in action in Dubai, said. “I have been here five times and won my class twice. Now we have a new team from Abu Dhabi, and I am delighted that the people I work with all season will be strongly represented in Rouen. It is another great opportunity for Team Abu Dhabi to shine on the world stage.”

Other entries

Team Abu Dhabi will be up against the likes of Carella’s former Russian New Star teammates, including F1 H2O racer Duarte Benavente, and several French teams, such as Paris Inshore Racing, Xtrem Racing and Navikart Racing.

‘New challenge’

ADIMSC’s Salem Al Romaithi is confident his team, a blend of youth and experience, will do well on debut. “This is an exciting new challenge for everyone at Team Abu Dhabi, and we are all looking forward to taking part in this new form of marine sport racing with a real endurance element to it,” Al Romaithi said.

Schedule

The 24-hour race starts at noon (UAE time) Friday and the first section of 15 hours will run until 3am. Competitors will then be permitted seven hours of rest before the final nine hours of racing starts at 10am on Sunday and finishes at 7pm.

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