DUBAI, UAE, November 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
An eclectic mix of race cars will be in action this Friday at Dubai Autodrome for the running of the NGK Enduro featuring GT cars, Le Mans style Radicals and Touring Cars on a day which includes the opening rounds of the Formula Gulf 1000 and UAE Sportbikes.
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Heading the entry list is the Dragon Racing McLaren 12C GT Sprint in the hands of Rob Barff and Jordan Grogor. The team is using the opportunity to get mileage and data in preparation for the 2014 Dunlop 24 Hours in January. However, they will be targeting an outright win.
Chasing hard and capable of stealing the Dragon team's thunder is the Radical SR8 of Tony Wells and James Littlejohn, while a horde of very rapid Radical SR3s will also be in the chase.
The father and son pairing of Costas Papantonis and Alex Annivas in the Gulf Petrochem Seat will start favourites among the touring cars.
There has been little rest for the two wheel brigade, a mere two weeks since their season opening races they will be back in action for Round 3 and Round 4 of the UAE Sportbikes Championship.
Saudi ace Abdul Aziz Binladen signaled his intent with a couple of dominant wins in the premier 600 Class aboard his Liberty Kawasaki on the opening day and will be targeting a repeat result on the day.
Reigning champion Mahmoud Tannir will be going all out to reverse a below par start to his championship defence aboard his Triumph Daytona. The Dubai based Lebanese rider is aiming for a third consecutive championship title this season.
A star was born on day one of the UAE Sportbikes Championship with Gautam Maylivaganan emerging with two fine second place finishes, and declaring that he has his sights on the title.
Others to watch include the likes of Ducati rider Joe Oxley and last year's runner-up Surya Raja who missed the first two rounds but will be back in action on his Yamaha.
Michael Collins aboard his Yamaha has set himself as the man to beat in the Rookie Cup with the likes of Yamaha trio Vafi Khan, Nasir Hussain and Ahmed Kammas along with Honda mounted Darryl Pais out to rain on his parade.
The non-championship 1000 Class will see the likes of Alan Boyter (Kawasaki), Steve Blackney (Kawasaki), Nasser Al Shaiba (BMW) and Damien van Blerk (Ducati) slug it out for top spot on the podium.
Also on the bill will be the opening two races of the 2013-2014 Formula Gulf 1000 where young and up and coming talent will be fighting out for top honours in the region's leading single-seater series.
Qualifying on Friday starts at 10:15am followed by the first race of the day at 11:30am, with the final race scheduled to start at 16:40pm.
Provisional race day schedule:
09:00 - 09:15 NGK Enduro - Radical Middle East Cup Practice
09:25 - 09:35 UAE Sportbike Championship Practice
09:50 - 10:05 UAE Sportbike Championship Practice
10:15 - 10:35 Formula Gulf 1000 Qualifying
10:45 - 11:15 NGK Enduro/Radical Middle East Cup Qualifying
11:30 Race 1 UAE Sportbike Championship - 10 laps
Prayers & Lunch Break
13:15 - Race 2 Formula Gulf 1000 - 12 laps
13:50 - Race 3 NGK Enduro/Radical Middle East Cup - 120 min
16:05 - Race 4 UAE Sportbike Championship - 10 laps
16:40 - Race 5 Formula Gulf 1000 - 12 laps
Link to high resolution image:
Caption: The Dragon Racing McLaren and Gulf Petrochem Seat will be in action during the NGK Enduro http://www.dubaiautodrome.com/tracktalk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/08-11-13-Autodrome-208.jpg
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