Brookspeed & Dragon down to one Cayman apiece
The entry list coming into the event featured 26 cars, though only 24 of them are now due to take the start. The drop in numbers comes in the GTX class, as both Brookspeed and Dragon Racing’s #41 and #48 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsports respectively are here at the event but without drivers.
What was supposed to be the #41 Brookspeed Porsche (pictured above) is now being used as a spare #40.
DSC caught up with Brookspeed team principal Martyn Braybrook who is looking forward to the team’s upcoming season, the plans for which are still coming together.
“After we finish here, the cars will get packed into containers and will be shipped to Bathurst on Sunday for the 12 Hour. Next season we are looking to do select 24H Series races, like the round at CoTA and Mugello, as well as the GT4 Euroseries Northern Cup.
“British GT is also a potential option if drivers come forward and want to do it.”
This weekend the team’s sole Cayman will see Aaron Mason, Graeme Mundy and Colin Paton share driving duties.
LMP3s balanced with GT3s
In order to allow the GT3 entrants in the race to compete for the overall win, the Gulf 12 Hours organisers have imposed new rules for the LMP3 teams to prevent them from controlling the race at the front.
The four cars in the sole prototype class will have to make an extra pair of stops during both six hour parts of the race and are only allowed one non-Bronze driver in each car.
Also, if the non-Bronze is a Silver or Gold, then they are limited to racing for just three hours across the two parts, if they are platinum, they can only take part for two hours of the race.
Minassian headlines Dragon Racing’s driver lineup
SMP driver Nic Minassian is here this week driving the #88 Dragon Racing Ferrari 488 with Rob Barff and Matt Griffin, in what is his first GT race since he took part in this event back in 2012 with AF Corse.
No stranger to endurance races, but not accustomed to the physicality of GT cars, Minassian told DSC, that he is enjoying the challenge.
“It’s a fantastic car, I’ve known the guys at Dragon for a long time, they gave me the chance to shake down the car, then they offered me the chance to drive and I couldn’t turn them down,” he revealed to DSC.
“It’s great to be back racing a GT3 car, it’s so different,” he added. “The last time I drove a GT3 car was here back in 2012 in the 458 with AF Corse, so I have seen a real jump, the car is so much more sophisticated, the early GT cars were just hotted up street tuners, this 488 is a proper race car. It’s still a very tough car physically to drive compared to the LMP2 cars I’m now used to.
“I’m really looking forward to the race already, it’s a good grid, and I have fast teammates in Matt and Rob, so it should be a lot of fun.”
Life in slow motion for Alex Lynn
Alex Lynn, who is still yet to announce his 2017 plans following his head-turning partial season programme with Manor in the World Endurance Championship, is back in Abu Dhabi after winning the GP2 Sprint race last month, racing alongside his father Shaun and Richard Meins in United Autosports’ #23 Gulf-liveried Ligier JSP3.
“Before coming here I’d done about 12 laps in it,” Lynn told DSC before Free Practice 2. “It’s a lovely, lovely car, perfect for gentlemen. It’s got the challenge of no traction control or ABS, but with a really solid aero package which makes it very drivable. I’m very impressed so far.
“In comparison to a GP2 round here, which is like taking part in a heavyweight boxing fight, it’s not that different really, because of the downforce, it’s just like driving in slow motion.”
As a Platinum rated driver, Lynn will only be able to drive for two hours of Saturday’s race. “It’s ok though,” he said, “it’s just a bit of fun, and it’ll be a challenge to see what I achieve behind the wheel.”
Stuart Hall gets first taste of the R.S.01
Stuart Hall is sharing one of Extreme’s Renault R.S.01s for this Saturday’s race with Jordan Grogor and Nicky Pastorelli in what will be his first experience driving the car.
“It’s mega, I wouldn’t be here unless I thought it would be a good package,” said Hall. “What Fred (Fatien, GP Extreme boss) is doing here is great, with the two cars. He has big plans for the future. As for me though, I’m only confirmed for this and to race at Dubai.
“This weekend is the first time I’ve driven a modern race car since July, I’ve been driving classic cars most of the year, and using a proper gear leaver! But I’ll be fine, Jordan and Nicky have plenty of experience in the car, so I’ll pick up tips from them.”
Full coverage on Radio Le Mans
Radio Le Mans will be providing live commentary for Saturday’s Gulf 12 Hours, as well as Free Practice 3, 4 and Qualifying tomorrow on radiolemans.com. In the booth will be John Hindhaugh and Jonny Palmer, with Joe Bradley and Nick Daman patrolling pit-lane.
Live timing is also available for the event here >>
Free Practice 2 and 3 are set to run tomorrow from 09:15 and 11:30 respectively, followed by Qualifying at 15:45. Saturday’s 12-Hour race, which is split in two parts, is due to run from to 09:30 to 15:30, then 17:45 to 23:45 local time in the UAE.
