In 24 Hours of Dubai endurance epic at the Kartdrome

At 2.15 pm UAE time the second round of the 2009 Nivea for Men Endurance Challenge 24 Hours of Dubai was flagged off at the Dubai Autodrome. In total 26 teams and 200 drivers from around the globe embarked on another epic contest in an event that has become a mainstay of the country’s sporting calendar.

Lining up in the impressive field, along with a dozen UAE based teams featuring the best young racing drivers in the region, were a host of top international teams including former winners Batelco from Bahrain, 2007 winners Forza Russia1 and Forza Russia 2, a couple of French teams racing under the Esso 1 and Esso 2 banners, an all ladies Team Kayak Sunglasses from Italy, Scuderia Germany, Team Swiss.

After showing their intent in qualifying, the Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum led, NFM Professionals team started from pole position with the French Esso 1 team next to them on the grid. After two warm-up laps, with Dubai based Eiropean Masters Radical Champion, Christophe Hissette stormed into the lead for the NFM Professionals and proceeded to set a blistering pace with Esso 1 and the rest chasing hard.

The first hour was a frenzy of action as drivers did their utmost, in hot and humid conditions, to assert themselves early on. At the front NFM Professionals had established a half  lap advantage ahead of second placed Grohe Team with UAE Kart Champion Scott Latham at the wheel. Third was Esso 1 which ran second for the first half hour before being overhauled by Grohe Team.

The battle for fourth was intense with several teams swapping positions throughout the opening stint, these included Chilis, Speedsters, Ocean Rubber, Esso 2, Scuderia Germany and Team Swiss.

In the ultra-competitive Nivea for Men Endurance Corporate Challenge, for teams made of company workers, Multiplex Racing held a strong class lead ahead of MBC Group. The Corporate category is a race within a race and as tightly contested as the battle for top honours.

The early stages normally provide little indication of what will transpire over the 24 hours of the race. Truth be told the biggest challenge in the Nivea for Men Dubai 24 Hours will be the elements and the extreme nature of endurance karting.

Drivers and their teams will have to contend with stifling heat during the day, freezing cold before sunrise, intermittent winds, unpredictable conditions and anything else mother nature intends to dish out over the 24 hours.

Teams who will succeed are those who have a consistently fast pace, have a shrewd strategy, conduct lightning quick driver changes, employ dynamic tactics to cope for the inevitable incidents during the race and ultimately those who are the fittest, both mentally and physically.

The chequered flag will bring to an end round 2 of the 2009 Nivea for Men Endurance Challenge 24 Hours of Dubai at 2.15 pm tomorrow (Saturday).

source: Dubai Autodrome