Every year in mid-January at the circuit of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates Endurance goes first — the opening of the season, daily marathon «24 Hours in Dubai» in a series of International Endurance Series powered by Hankook. The series consists of seven events of 12 and 24 hours, and after Emirates moved to Europe. The calendar contains Italy, England, Holland, France, Spain and the Czech Republic. Masthead until this series can not be named, but the way it happens the development, suggests that very quickly it will be no less prestigious than, for example, the same Lemans Series.
The first season of International Endurance Series was held in 2006. Organizers — Dutch Creventic — chosen at one time a very correct approach, listening to the wishes of the participants and conducting those activities that are interesting for teams and drivers. So now on the starting grid of each stage going from 60 or more members, and the opening of the season this year was attended by altogether 100 crews.
Another confirmation of sensitivity to the requests of the organizers of the participants was the announcement during a race in Dubai, a new series of endurance races, which will be organized by the same Creventic solely for the class touring car. Other teams that play in the touring classes, feel left out by such events, and even a couple of years ago introduced the Orgov such a proposal. On Saturday, it became known for at least three touring races, which will be held this year in Europe — two 24-hour and 12-hour one. Technical specifications will be announced later.
The main difference International Endurance Series from the same Lehmann lies in the composition of participants: IES collects at its start exclusively body classes, but some of them are as automobiles GT (including GT, GT3, GT4), and touring cars, and even more silhouettes.
The main difference International Endurance Series from the same Lehmann lies in the composition of participants: IES collects at its start exclusively body classes, but some of them are as automobiles GT (including GT, GT3, GT4), and touring cars, and even more silhouettes.
Yet the statistics make it clear about what level of competition in question is in Dubai at the start of the car came out 98 100 applications for participation in the 8 classes, while the senior class A6 is divided into professional and amateur. In the race was attended by 19 car brands, among them are quite rare as the Ginetta and KTM X-bow. Pilots from 46 different countries, including such exotic as Sri Lanka, Peru, Nigeria, Kuwait and others. Among them were Russian riders, but the Russian team did not have any.
Under the Russian flag were: Mikhail Spiridonov to Huracan Trofeo at number 12 of the German team Leipert Motorsport in the A6 class Am; Stanislav Minsk in a Porsche 991 Cup №60 for the team Black Falcon Team TMD Friction in the class 991; Ruben Anahazyan in the Ginetta G55 GT4 № 230 for the team Century Motorsport, England class SP3. Under the Austrian flag I was driving one of our compatriot Ilya Melnikov on the Nissan GT-R # 25 in class A6 Pro.
Since no little success in their classrooms, these crews have not, I should say about the results. All four of the car safely classified. Mikhail Spiridonov and his crew — the seventh in its class, Stanislav Minsk — five of the 14 in the class; Ruben Anahazyan — sixth and Ilya Melnikov — twelfth.
Now about what happened during the race.
One of the main contenders to win Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 team Black Falcon # 16 was forced to start from the pitlane due to the fact that the finished work on the car only the night before. From the outset, the leadership team Scuderia Praha won for Ferrari 458 GT3, and during the first 10 hours of this car at number 11 is continuously stayed in the Top 3, only changing places with the closest rivals during the pit stop.
All major collision nonetheless occurred in the first half of the marathon and it's clear: hundreds of cars on a short track (the length of the web in the Dubai race just 5.399 meters) initially can comfortably accommodate on the track so as not to interfere with each other. Double and triple overtaking led to both collisions, and a reassessment of opportunities for pilots and cars. The first accident occurred already after the first half hour: faced just three car — Porsche 991, BMW E90 and the Ginetta G55 GT4, and, for the last race and finished it. Then came a few minor incidents.
Famous Russian motorsport fans with their participation in the international Turinge (WTCC) for the Russian team Lada Sport Japp van Lagen after the race gave me a few comments about the mass stage.
«I believe that 100 cars at the start does not look too much. It is also a kind Challenge for the pilot — not to get into trouble. And complaining about it are usually people who drop out of the race as a result of any accident! Of course, during the race, you can not implement all its capacity by 100%, primarily due to the traffic, but my advice — stay cool, keep away from problems and do their job — or go home! »
Japp van Lagen
However, at the 10th hour of the race was nearly midnight Czech Ferrari, to keep in the lead for 76 laps, had an accident right outside the entrance to the pitstop, and, if the pilot is 458 minutes does not hurt, here is the pilot of the second car — Ginetta G55 at No. 51 team Primus Racing — rushed to the hospital with multiple fractures. However, then, as it turned out, nothing wrong with it did not happen: there were several broken ribs and collarbone, but both dropped out of the race car and Scuderia Praha also came under strict investigation. A study of the leadership race incident, it was decided to disqualify the Czech team to the next stage with the phrase «in connection with the accident at the Race to Dubai, as well as a number of other incidents they provoked in the previous competitions.»
The accident that took place around midnight, led to the fact that on the track for 72 minutes was introduced «Code 60» — the security mode setting speed limit of 60 km / h. During this time, the service is not only an airport tarmac cleared of debris, but also restores the security guard seriously injured. In total for the first 11 hours of racing, «Code 60», accompanied by purple flags hanging, administered 11 times. However, no serious accident no longer occurred. At this point on the road was 89 cars from the 98 starters. Good statistics.
After leaving the Czech team the lead passed to the Audi R8 LMS # 28 team Land Motorsport. Together with the other Audi R8 LMS # 19 of Team WRT Belgian Audi Club. The third and fourth place was shared between a Lamborghini Huracan # 26 Konrad Motorsport and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 team Black Falcon # 16, which is already after 4 hours of racing climbed into the top 10 in the overall standings, beating most of its rivals.
Such an alignment in the overall standings remained for more than 100 laps until early Saturday morning leading to the pilot while the Audi # 28 lost vigilance and not made very sad mistake of not tracing the fuel level. The car is returned to refuel, but that his troubles do not end there: two and a half hours before the finish №28 broken transmission, and the crew goes. But at least, that they own the best lap time in the race: 1.58.712 (driving was Christopher Mize)!
Another team fighting for a place on the podium, Konrad Motorsport at Lamborghini Huracan, coming just half an hour before the finish: white smoke, go ahead of the engine, clearly tell that these guys race is over. However, they will still be classified in the top ten. Third place was claimed by the crew at Lamborghini, Audi R8 LMS goes to the team ABT Racing, driven by young Daniel Abt acts, grandson of the famous Johann Abt, achiever literally everywhere: in the last season, he took part in a series of WEC, and Formula E.
Black Falcon # 16 finish in second place, and it is quite a magical result, considering that the crew played for the race 97 (!!!) positions. Well, absolutely deserved first place went to Belgian Audi Club Team WRT — the crew at number 19 in the composition of Alan Firth, Michael Meadows, Stewart and Leonard Lawrence Vanhora.
Such an alignment in the overall standings remained for more than 100 laps until early Saturday morning leading to the pilot while the Audi # 28 lost vigilance and not made very sad mistake of not tracing the fuel level. The car is returned to refuel, but that his troubles do not end there: two and a half hours before the finish №28 broken transmission, and the crew goes. But at least, that they own the best lap time in the race: 1.58.712 (driving was Christopher Mize)!
Another team fighting for a place on the podium, Konrad Motorsport at Lamborghini Huracan, coming just half an hour before the finish: white smoke, go ahead of the engine, clearly tell that these guys race is over. However, they will still be classified in the top ten. Third place was claimed by the crew at Lamborghini, Audi R8 LMS goes to the team ABT Racing, driven by young Daniel Abt acts, grandson of the famous Johann Abt, achiever literally everywhere: in the last season, he took part in a series of WEC, and Formula E.
Black Falcon # 16 finish in second place, and it is quite a magical result, considering that the crew played for the race 97 (!!!) positions. Well, absolutely deserved first place went to Belgian Audi Club Team WRT — the crew at number 19 in the composition of Alan Firth, Michael Meadows, Stewart and Leonard Lawrence Vanhora.
«It was a very difficult race — said Lawrence Vanhor pilot, led the car to the checkered flag — probably the most difficult of the ones that I've won. A huge number of cars on the track and hard, uphill battle for position. However, I believe that the heavier, the better; hence, the more this victory will be remembered. »
It should be noted that it is generally the first victory in the history of Audi 24-hour race in Dubai. Most victories at this track belongs to the brand Porsche (4).
«It's amazing, but during the race, neither I nor my companions never came any problem or dangerous situation. We were in two cars Porsche 991, and no one did not get a scratch. The same goes for technical problems: our machines they have arisen. On the other hand, we have to race agreed that we will try to avoid any risks, especially in traffic. After a marathon primary tactic — to get to the finish line.»
Japp van Lagen
The next stage of the series International Endurance Series powered by Hankook «12:00 Mugello» will be held on 18–19 March 2016.
Winners of classes:
Class A6-PRO
1. # 19 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audi R8 LMS, the circle 588
2. # 16 Black Falcon Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, 583 range
3. # 4 C.ABT Racing Audi R8 LMS, the circle 580
Class A6-AM
1. # 10 Hofor-Racing Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, 578 range
2. # 22 Preci-Spark Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, 575 range
3. # 34 Car Collection Motorsport Audi R8 LMS, the circle 573
Class 991
1. # 40 Lechner Racing Middle East Porsche 991 Cup, 568 range
2. # 81 Lechner Racing Middle East Porsche 991 Cup, 563 range
3. # 61 Black Falcon Team TMD Friction Porsche 991 Cup, Circle
Class SP2
1. # 64 Porsche Lorient Racing Porsche 997 Cup S, 553 range
2. # 203 Vortex V8 GC Automobile GC 10 V8, 532 range
3. # 85 Speedlover Porsche 991 Cup, 498 range
Class SP3
1. # 229 Century Motorsport, Ginetta G55 GT4, 536 range
2. # 178 CWS 4x4 Ginetta G55 GT4, 532 range
3. # 221 JW BIRD Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT4, the circle 529
With TCR
1. # 1 Memac Ogilvy Duel Racing Seat Leon Cup Racer, 524 range
2. # 130 Zest Racecar Engineering Seat Leon Cup Racer, 486 range
3. # 125 NKPP Racing Seat Leon Cup Racer, 467 range
Class A3
1. # 208 Team Altran Peugeot, Peugeot 208 GT, 521 range
2. # 99 RKC / TGM Seat Leon Supercopa, the circle 479
3. # 21 RTG by Gladysz Racing Seat Leon Supercopa, the circle 435
Class CUP1
1. # 148 QSR BMW M235i Racing Cup, the circle 505
2. # 235 DUWO Racing BMW M235i Racing Cup, the circle 500
3. # 145 Bonk Motorsport BMW M235i Racing Cup, the circle 497
Class A2
1. # 165 Besaplast Racing Mini Cooper S JCW, 509 range
2. # 57 LAP57 Racing Team Honda Integra Type-R, 509 range
3. # 171 Team K-Rejser Peugeot RCZ, 505 range
