12H Hungary: Series preview

34 Teams from 14 countries to race in 12H of Hungary 2009

GENNEP (October 2nd, 2009) With only one week remaining before the second running of the 12H of Hungary (October 9th and 10th, 2009), the event has attracted an international field with 34 teams from no less than 14 countries. "This year's entry is more than double of what we had for last year's inaugural edition. It clearly shows that our concept of endurance races at affordable costs in a friendly atmosphere works out", says Gerrie Willems on behalf of Dutch-based agency Creventic BV, organisers and promoters of the 12H of Hungary. Meanwhile, preparations for Creventic's flagship event, the fifth anniversary edition of the Dunlop 24H of Dubai (January 14th till 16th, 2010) are also well underway, with 90 entries having already been received. "For Dubai, there are still places available. However, first of all, we are now focussing on our event in Hungary. Last year, everybody was impressed by the beauty of the city of Budapest and the facilities at the Hungaroring circuit. This year's event promises to be even better", says Willems.

The entry list for the second running of the 12H of Hungary, organised by Creventic in co-operation with DNRT, includes teams from as far afield as Australia, Russia and Lithuania. However, it doesn't come as a surprise that Hungary has the largest contingent with no less than eight different teams bound to take part in this year's event. Last year's winners, German outfit Schubert Motorsport, are back to defend their title with a BMW Z4 M Coupe with drivers Jorg Viebahn, Stian Sørlie and Michael Outzen. Some strong competition is expected from the Porsches entered by Austrian teams Jetalliance Racing and Lechner Racing Team, the Hungarian GENEX-GFS Team, Dutch team Lammertink Racing with Toyo Tires, the Swedish Hubert Bergh Motorsport team and the Slovakian Auto Racing Club Bratislava. While the Porsches are all racing in the A6 category, Schubert Motorsport's BMW Z4 is set to face the opposition from various BMW M3s in the A5 class. British teams Povey Motorsport and Intersport Racing, Danish Stefan Kaas Racing Team and Rotoma Racing from Lithuania are all running a BMW M3.

There is more variety in the A3T class with a Volkswagen Golf, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, BMWs 120D and 320D, two SEAT Leon Supercopas and one Lotus Exige Cup car. The D2 diesel class only has one BMW 330D entered, but a few more cars are still expected. The A2 category includes a Renault Clio, a Honda Civic Type-R, a Peugeot 206 RCC, a Suzuki Swift, a Ford Fiesta ST, a SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI and a BMW 120D. The SP2 class has some exotic machinery on offer with the likes of a Ford Mustang GT3, an Aston Martin N23, a Brokernet Silversting, a Saker GT Diesel, a BMW E90 and a Ferrari F430 Challenge, plus Creventic's own Audi CR-8.

Prominent drivers on the grid

The driver line-up for the second edition of the 12H of Hungary includes some real endurance racing experts like FIA GT regulars Lukas Lichtner- Hoyer, Ryan Sharp and Stephane Lemeret, touring car specialists like WTCC- driver Tom Coronel and ex-BTCC-stalwart James Kaye and many other ambitious drivers who are all out for overall honours and/or a good class result at the 4.381 kilometres long Hungaroring. While the tyre choice for this event is free for all competitors, Michelin will be on site with its professional racing service as the official tyre partner for the 12H of Hungary. The action starts with practice sessions and qualifying on Friday, the 12-hour race itself will get underway at 10.00 on Saturday morning.

A classic support event: Coppa Pannonia Regia

The Coppa Pannonia Regia with an array of beautiful historic cars will be the official support event for the 12H of Hungary 2009. Here, competitors have to take part in a regularity run with their often unique cars. The entry includes Ferrari, De Tomaso, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Alpine, MG and Matra. Two regularity runs are planned on Friday, from 10.00 till 10.30 and from 13.00 till 13.30.

-credit: 24hseries.com