Dubai 24 hour

[Tinohead]

Has anyone ever been to the Dubai 24 race? Me and my girlfriend are planning on being in Dubai on the weekend of the 2012 race and I was wondering if anyone could provide some more info on a couple of things.

1) How busy is Dubai during the race weekend? The likes of hotels, public transport, flights in and out? Are they booked up really early or does it not have that much of an effect on the place as a whole?

2) What options are there for a quick visit/spectate of the race? We're only there for a few days and already have a few touristy things planned so I don't really want to buy a ticket for the whole race when I'd be only manage an hour or 2.

Any info/advice greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Tino

[Dan Friel]

Easy answers..

1. The race has zero impact on hotels.
2. The race is free to get into, easy to pop in.

[Tinohead]

Thanks for the enough Dan. Amazed to find out the race is free to spectate - how can such a big event not cost?

[IanUAE]

I am based in Dubai and participated in the event the last 2 years (as a mechanic). If you want to stay in a budget hotel (Ibis etc) then the earlier you book the better (there are other budget hotels but their standards are more basic and their locations may be a bit more dodgy), although more hotels are opening up.

The Dubai Autodrome doesn't charge an entry fee for any race that happens at the track (Yas Marina in Abu dhabi does though). In fact not only is the entry free but you can walk around the perimeter of track, sit in the grand stand and visit the pits area (always worth a visit).

January is a good time to visit the Middle East because the weather is nice. You can visit either of the 2 water parks (Wild Wadi or Atlantis), Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building), visit Ski Dubai, take a desert safari trip, visit the gold souk, etc.

[Dan Friel]

Yes, the event is well worth attending if you're in the UAE at the time. And as Ian mentions, it's the perfect time of year. Crowds at all Dubai race events are "sparse" and it really is access all areas. Grid walk before the race included. The race organisers pay for the circuit hire, and charging spectators would result in very few people turning up.

Abu Dhabi is a worth a visit as well, and there may be a race meeting at Yas on one of the adjoining weekends (if GP2 Asia exists next year..).

[Tinohead]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll definitely be attending now! As mentioned I'll probably only manage half a day at the most there - when would you recommend as the best time to attend? Start, finish, practise, etc?

Ian - what team were you working with? Are you planning on going back next year? Thanks for the additional suggestions of things to do, Wild Wadi is already on the list!

[Dan Friel]

Tinohead said:

Thanks for the info guys. I'll definitely be attending now! As mentioned I'll probably only manage half a day at the most there - when would you recommend as the best time to attend? Start, finish, practise, etc?

Ian - what team were you working with? Are you planning on going back next year? Thanks for the additional suggestions of things to do, Wild Wadi is already on the list!

I always turned up a couple of hours before the start. Full access to all pits and paddock (all very friendly), then the grid walk, then the start from the main grandstand. Even entertained the entire family. I can imagine watching the racing at night is pretty good, just don't expect the complete Le Mans experience..

Video of 2008 start here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRR2MQl_ZU4

[Tinohead]

Sounds like a good plan. Is it a Saturday afternoon race start? Cheers for the videos - the other one of the evening race, is that the sort of access you can get as a spectator or was that because you were working as a mechanic?

Oh and Dan, thanks for the tip on Abu Dhabi but we're heading on to Japan the Monday after the 24 hour so won't have time unfortunately!

[Dan Friel]

Don't forget that the weekend in the Middle East is Friday and Saturday. Race start time is Friday at 1400 or 1500 I would have thought. Going on the Friday is also good because the roads in that area will be very quiet (on other days it can be a nightmare).

The evening footage was a track day (I was there in a 207 GTI.. and just slightly outgunned). However, on race days you really can get to the fence. For the GP2 Asia races held there i was able to lean over the crash barrier on the inside of Turn 1 and take pics of the cars passing under me (well almost). Quite different to the UK!

An example of how close you can get:

Edited by Dan Friel on Tuesday 29th March 22:44

[Tinohead]

Right enough, I'd forgotten that, Friday it is then! How's the public transport? We're planning on staying in the centre and a quick googlebuses!search puts it at 35km and 1hr 45 over 3 buses to get to the track.

[Dan Friel]

Taxi or hotel car. Costs peanuts. Getting a taxi back would be the biggest hassle, but hotel should sort that and I think I remember a steady flow of taxis in any case..

[Tinohead]

Ah ok, so we should just get taxis everywhere then? Thats good to know, thanks!

[Dan Friel]

Tinohead said:

Ah ok, so we should just get taxis everywhere then? Thats good to know, thanks!

Yes, unless the metro takes you exactly where you want to get to..