Creventic has announced that the Middle East Trophy powered by Hankook will return for a second season across the winter of 2023 and 2024.
On the schedule are three races a 12-hour race at Kuwait in December, followed by the annual Dubai 24 Hours and six-hour finale in Abu Dhabi in January. The three venues are Kuwait Motor Town, the Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina Circuit.
“We’re very pleased that our inaugural Middle East Trophy garnered sufficient interest to warrant a second program in 2023/2024,” said David Vink, Creventic, event manager.
“In tandem with the European-focused 24H Series powered by Hankook, Creventic’s Middle East Trophy provides an ideal opportunity for our European and overseas competitors to experience several jewels in the region’s crown during the winter, with the esteemed Hankook 24H Dubai as the main event.”
As in 2022/2023, titles will be awarded to the highest point-scoring team and driver(s) in their respective category, with a championship celebration set to be held at the completion of the finale. A winner of the Ladies Cup will also be crowned in each class where applicable.
To be eligible for a championship, competitors must enter at least two rounds of the Middle East Trophy.
Unlike the 2024 24H Series, no ‘scratch results’ will be permitted and all points scored count towards the Middle East Trophy standings.
Creventic’s established scoring system will continue to be used for the Middle East Trophy in 2023/2024, with 40 points being awarded to class winners at all three events, 36 to 2nd place and 32 to 3rd. As in 2023, points will not be allocated at half-distance during the Dubai 24 Hours.
Championship trophies will be awarded to the top three, highest-point-scoring teams and drivers per category. A bespoke trophy, authenticated by series partner Hankook, will be awarded to each category’s respective Teams’ champion.
Podium celebrations close each of the three events in the Middle East Trophy, again with individual trophies being awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd-placed teams and drivers, while the victorious team and drivers of each event overall will receive a unique 24H Series garland.
In a new move for 2023/2024, the top three finishers in the GT3-Pro class will receive medals, a nod to a similar accolade presented to podium finishers at Creventic’s first 6H Qualifying Race at Estoril.
Significantly, in a bid to offer its ‘gentlemen’ competitors more track time, the minimum driver rest time is no longer in effect for the Hankook 6H Abu Dhabi. Each maximum stint length remains limited to two hours.
As for transportation and logistics. Creventic will manage it on behalf of the teams, with costs for a shared container included a part of a race entry fee.
Teams that sign up for the full Middle East Trophy programme will get exclusive use of a full container for all three rounds.
2023 / 2024 Middle East Trophy calendar
7-9 December – Hankook 12H Kuwait, Kuwait Motor Town – Kuwait
12-14 January – Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai, Dubai Autodrome, UAE
19-21 January – Hankook 6H Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit, UAE
