Team Abu Dhabi target 3rd Hankook 24h Dubai title

Abu Dhabi: Team Abu Dhabi Racing Black Falcon is looking forward to adding a third 24 hours Dubai title to its trophy cabinet when the 11th edition of the Hankook 24H Dubai is run on the weekend of January 14-16.

Having previously won the title in 2012 and 2013, the team led by Abu Dhabi endurance racing star Khalid Al Qubaisi will be aboard an all-new Mercedes AMG GT3, which will be making its world debut at the Dubai Autodrome on race weekend.

Sharing driving duties with Al Qubaisi over the course of the 24 hours will be Maro Engel and Huber Haupt, both of Germany, and Dutchmen Jeroen Bleekemolenand Indy Dontje.

Al Qubaisi is aware of the tough competition Team Abu Dhabi Racing Black Falcon will be facing given that no less than 100 cars are expected to line-up on the start grid.

“It is great to be back racing at the Dubai24H; it’s been a constant part of our race programme for the last five years and so far we have been very successful with two wins, three podiums and a 4th place finish,” said Al Qubaisi adding, “It’s a very special race and requires a completely different approach and set of skills from other endurance races, but we will be looking to repeat our wins from 2012 and 2013. We are also very excited to be the first team to drive the new AMG GT3 race car, which makes its international debut here in Dubai.”

Al Qubaisi added that they haven’t got the chance to test the car as it has still not arrived. “It will arrive in time for the race as it has been just delivered to the team. We will have a test day prior to the race and hopefully that should be good enough for us to get acquainted with the AMG GT3 race car.”

TIME SCHEDULE

Thursday 14 January 2016

11:30 — 12:00 Hankook 24H DUBAI Free practice 1, Class A2, A3, CUP 1, TCR, SP3

12:05 — 12:35 Hankook 24H DUBAI Free practice 2, Class A6, SPX, SP2, 991, 997

12:35 — 13:30 Break

13:30 — 16:00 Hankook 24H DUBAI Free practice 3 ALL Classes

16:15 — 16:45 Hankook 24H DUBAI Qualification 1: Class A2, A3, CUP 1, TCR, SP3

17:00 — 17:30 Hankook 24H DUBAI Qualification 2: Class A6, SPX, SP2, 991, 997

17:30 — 18:00 Break

18:00 — 20:00 Hankook 24H DUBAI Night practice

Friday 15 January 2016

10:30 — 11:00 Hankook 24H DUBAI Warming up