Dubai 24 hour race starts today 2pm local time

[timmo]

The Dubai 24 hour race start today at 2pm local time

lots of well know drivers competing

http://live.24hseries.com/

[Dan Friel]

Just back from the circuit.. I'll try to upload some pictures (not very good ones).

[Dan Friel]

Rain is forecast at the circuit, and it was starting to drizzle on the way home...

[pauljc]

Not pictured here but the Audi R8 looks very good.

[Redlake27]

I never really understand why a tyre company (Toyo) would sponsor an event where most of the teams choose Michelin or Dunlop tyres instead (see pics above).

But I only work in the tyre industry, so what would I know.......

Looks a great event. Very tempting this time of year!!!

[Dan Friel]

here's the Audi getting blasted by a bunch of porsches.. it broke early but I think spares are on their way from the local Audi dealer!



The event was free to get into, although the crowd was pretty small (most people there seemed to be related to one of the teams),

[anonymous-user]

Redlake27 said:

I never really understand why a tyre company (Toyo) would sponsor an event where most of the teams choose Michelin or Dunlop tyres instead (see pics above).

But I only work in the tyre industry, so what would I know.......

Looks a great event. Very tempting this time of year!!!

It seems to have worked.

[CivicMan]

You'd have thought that rather than yet another flat, featureless Mickey mouse circuit, the Sheikhs, with their billions, would have stuck a hill or two in to the design.

Just looks SOOOO boring, and if it's to feature on the F1 circuit in the years to come, it'll be another GP to miss.

Does anyone from the F1 world actually advise on circuit design? We'll end up with line of uniform circuits, anonymous, featureless, regimented, willing to obey orders........oh my god, it's the hand of Mad Max!!!!!

[anonymous-user]

The new Turkey circuit is stunning, so Tilke can get it right.

[Dan Friel]

There is some elevation but not a lot and there won't be a GP at Dubai. Abu Dhabi will have it from 2009.. the circuit design for that looks good.

[CivicMan]

http://www.abudhabigp.com/english/index.aspx

Checked out the Abu Dhabi site - interesting circuit design by Tilke again, and they estimate an average lap speed of 200kmh which, considering the number of really sharp bends and a hairpin, promises to be good.

Abu Dhabi looks quite pleasant compared with that blinged up chav city Dubai.

Edited by CivicMan on Monday 14th January 00:03

[Jungles]

CivicMan said:

http://www.abudhabigp.com/english/index.aspx

Checked out the Abu Dhabi site - interesting circuit design by Tilke again, and they estimate an average lap speed of 200kmh which, considering the number of really sharp bends and a hairpin, promises to be good.

It's got a massive back straight and a very long Monza-like curve. It's a little mickey-mousey, but an interesting mix of features.

Should be better than Bahrain.

[Regional]

I was working on the English entered Brunswick RX7, next door to the GT4 Nissan 350Z.
Good event, we did the first one 2 years ago and this has really taken off, its a shame the locals do not come but it was hardly promoted locally unlike the first year.

I'll upload some pictures in a while.

[Simon Mason]

If you have any pictures of the Lotus Exige I would be very greatfull.

I was one of the drivers and still amazed we survived the night rain.

[Dan Friel]

A couple of "in pit" photos.

Edited by Dan Friel on Thursday 17th January 17:36

[Regional]

Great picture Dan!
That is me in the blue fireproof suit in the engine bay, I was the engine man who managed to lose our oil filler cap during one of the early stops, oops!

Tank tape and cable ties rule!

Any more of the Mazda?

[Simon Mason]

Cheers Dan, thats me sat in the Exige wishing I had'nt drunk so much water.

[Dan Friel]

Sorry, that's all the pics that I have.. too busy drinking Costa Coffee and trying to keep warm.

If you want the full resolution pics then drop me a mail. [e-mail]

Dan