On site at Dubai Autodrome and all 46 cars are being readied for the weekend’s double-header of 4-hour enduros.
It’s 46 not 47 with the withdrawal from this meeting of the planned second Blackthorn Aston Martin, the second Vantage will though race next weekend at Yas Marina.
The #19 meanwhile has its pre-announced driver line-up.
The two-car additions from both Herberth and Dragon Racing are both here though.
The Earl Bamber Motorsport-entered Aston Martin arrives in the UAE with a new look and a new crew too.
The Prime Speed Sport Lamborghini meanwhile should be in better shape this weekend after a race against time to get the car to the track at Sepang. DSC understands that the car was bought from a US owner described as an Evo2 Huracan. On arrival that proved not to be the case, the car was to initial Evo spec. Parts availability and spares proved to be a major headache ahead of the Sepang weekend. Since then though the team has got on top of the logistical challenge!
Entry List Complete
The final ‘TBA’ on the entry list, the required Bronze-ranked driver in the #11 Proton Competition Oreca replacing Alexander Matschull will be…. Alexander Matschull, the affable German will return to the fray after illness prevented his planned replacement from traveling. Alex looks set to complete the season in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Testing Time
Three private test sessions on Thursday saw a number of minor incidents and two more significant shunts.
An off for Naveen Rao in the afternoon session saw the Nielsen Racing LMP2 Oreca with damage to the right front corner, the team immediately set to work with repairs.
More seriously though the #21 Car Collection Porsche had already had a substantial shunt in the first session of the day, the car brought back with significant damage to three corners.
The team later confirmed to DSC that the chassis was damaged beyond immediate repair, the car was immediately being stripped down with Car Collection Motorsport already hunting for a replacement chassis.
RLR MSport Moves
A change that DSC has known about for some time is now confirmed as the RLR Sport LMP3 and Ligier European Series effort has now moved from RAM Racing’s HQ to that of Vector Sport. The two teams though will remain as separate entities.
Vector Sport’s Gary Holland and others are here together with RLR Team Manager Alan McGarrity. The exact terms of the switch aren’t up for discussion but both team’s plans for 2025 remain unchanged with Vector set for an LMP2 effort in the ELMS, and with an entry request filed for Le Mans.
RLR MSport meanwhile is set to contest ELMS (LMP3), will take up the LMP2 entry for Le Mans won via their 2024 ELMS LMP3 title with Michael Jensen, and look set to return too to the Ligier European Series.
DKR Ginetta Double
DKR Engineering’s Kendy Jenclaes confirmed to DSC that the team’s plans with Ginetta in LMP3 are progressing, they have been testing with the development car, and whilst there is performance still to be found the team is encouraged with progress, and with the commitment to the programme of the UK-based manufacturer. Also confirmed alongside single-car entries for the ELMS and Michelin Le Mans Cup with the new Ginetta is a double entry request for the Road To Le Mans races in June.
Steady Hand
Wednesday evening saw an on-track opportunity for tracking shots and, in the absence of a qualified driver the Asian Le Mans Series were forced to drag a retiree back into action, albeit briefly, before being tucked back into his comfy chair for an evening milky tea.
Sebring Shenanigans
The Pre-Sebring test next week makes it high-on impossible for Prototype drivers in IMSA to make it back to Abu Dhabi in time to take to the track in time to qualify for the final weekend, hence the switch at Pure Rxcing from Louis Deletraz to Julien Andlauer.
GT drivers have less pressure with their sessions at Sebring ending a day earlier and multiple rivers on site in Dubai will test before at Sebring before flying back for the Yas Marina weekend. Ben Barnicoat, Aaron Telitz, Lauren Heinrich, Matt Bell, Klaus Bachler and Casper Stevenson are all set to make the trip.
Second Generation Talent
As always the Dubai races feature support races from the TopSpeed-organised single-seater Championships – F4 UAE and Formula Regional Middle East.
The F4 Series entry features 16-year-old Sebastian Wheldon, son of the late and very great Dan Wheldon whilst Formula Regional’s entry includes Brando Badoer, son of 1992 F3000 Champion, ex BMS Scuderia Italia, Minardi, Forti, and Ferrari F1 racer Luca Badoer.
