Dubai: The big question going into the Nivea for Men 24 Hours of Dubai is: who can stop the NFM Professionals from taking victory in the endurance challenge which starts today at the Kartdrome at 2pm.
The nature of endurance racing is such that predicting the outcome prior to the event is pure guesswork as numerous factors can combine to throw a spanner in the works even for the leading teams.
Nevertheless there are teams that can always be pencilled in as the ones to watch.
Top of the list are no doubt the NFM Professionals who are fresh from a powerful showing in the recent Thailand 24 Hours where they were constantly challenging for the lead and hot favourites for victory until technical gremlins intervened forcing them to settle for second place.
Nevertheless they made their mark and they have another opportunity this weekend to stamp their authority in the event which last year, in the October race, they won in most dramatic fashion on the last lap.
As they say, "that is now history" and they have it all to do again but it would be a brave punter who waged against them doing a repeat. The team led by Mike Wilkes includes some of the hottest Karting talent in the region.
On paper the biggest threat to the NFM Professionals victory ambitions is the equally formidable Team MRDC. Formerly known as team Dodsal, the MRDC squad is determined to take top honours in the prestigious race and at least give the favourites a run for their money.
The Kartdrome Speedsters are a team made up of media workers are highly motivated to excel in the 2008 Nivea for Men Endurance Challenge and have been quietly preparing for this weekend's event.
