GCC teams gear up for Asian Le Mans at Dubai Autodrome
DUBAI: The UAE and Qatar will be among the countries represented in a strong line-up as Dubai Autodrome prepares to stage the Asian Le Mans races this weekend.
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
UAE-based team Dragon Racing, along with Herberth Motorsport's 911 team, featuring an all-Qatari crew of Ibrahim Al-Abdulghani, Abdulla Al-Khelaifi and Ghanim Al-Ali, will be among the 47 cars on the grid for the two four-hour races on Feb. 8-9.
Dragon Racing will enter a pair of Ferrari 296 GT3s for those races, with Todd Coleman, Benjamin Pedersen and Aaron Tellitz behind the wheel. Team-mates Marco Pulcini, Nicola Marinangeli and Giacomo Altoe will be in the other car.
Besides the GT category, which includes championship leaders Winward Racing, the event also features LMP2 and LMP3 categories with 10 and seven cars, respectively, set to compete on both days.
Entry to the event is free. Away from the track there will be entertainment and food and beverage options for fans to enjoy.
Faisal Al Sahlawi, general manager of Dubai Autodrome, said: 'The Dubai Autodrome had its first taste of the Asian Le Mans Series in 2021 and since then, the event has grown rapidly to be one of our major racing championships. The fact there are 47 teams participating this weekend signifies how highly regarded the event is.
'The races will also see the Gulf region being represented through UAE and Qatar — which showcases the popularity of the sport in the region again and giving them a platform to test themselves against international teams.
'Previous editions proved to be a big success and this weekend's races will be no different as some of the world's best GT drivers test themselves on a challenging 5.39km circuit that not only sees them take on the high-speed straights but also the corners — all of which paves the way to a great weekend of elite motorsport racing action.'
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