Dubai 24H: Event daylight practice report

Five manufacturers set to do battle as UAE champion Al Azhari signed for top team

Track action started today for tomorrow's (Friday) Dunlop Dubai 24 Hours of Dubai, held under the patronage of His Highness Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Eighty teams, consisting of over 400 drivers from 21 different countries were practicing and making setup teaks to their race cars ahead of race day.

Big news, early in the morning, was the announcement that multiple UAE champion Karim Al Azhari has been drafted in to drive the VDS Racing Adventures Ford Mustang. The Dubai based driver was enthusiastic about the development and said, "This was a great surprise for me to make it onto a top team for the Dubai 24 Hours. I really enjoy this event on my home track. I believe I can add some value to the team as I am familiar with GT cars and of course know Dubai Autodrome really well. I hope to contribute to a good result for my team this weekend, VDS Racing Adventures.

Fastest in the first practice of the day were the De Lorenzi Racing Porsche 997 GT3 who were fractionally faster than the IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 997 GT3 who were second quickest. Third fastest was the Ferrari AF Corse team, which sets the scene for a classic battle between two of motorsport's greatest marques.

With five different car manufacturers represented in the top ten placings, the Dunlop 24 Hours looks set to be an intriguing battle between the likes of BMW, Ford, Porsche, Ferrari and Ginetta.

Al Azhari made an immediate impact as his team VDS Mustang was seventh fastest overall. Other UAE based teams were also showing impressive pace with AUH Motorsport Aston Martin setting second quickest time in the SP3 Class and the DXB Racing Aston Martin not far off the leading pace.

The all Emirati Al Qasba Lap 57 Team UAE Honda turned a wheel for the first time this afternoon, the team clearly getting to grips with the challenges of what lies ahead.

Today (Thursday) there were two day time practice sessions which will be followed by a qualifying session and a night time practice session.

-source: dubaiautodrome