(MENAFN- The Peninsula) chinthana wasala |
The Peninsula
Two Qatari GT3 teams, QMMF Thuraya and QMMF Suhail are ready to challenge 52 contenders representing 42 teams at the 18th Hankook 24H Dubai endurance race that flags off at the Dubai Autodrome tomorrow.
The two teams, backed by Ministry of Sports and Youth, Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), Porsche Center Doha, Al Buraq Automotive Company and Lusail International Circuit, includes Abdulla Al Khelaifi, Ghanim Al Ali and Ibrahim Abdulghani (Team QMMF Thuraya -#929), and Abdullah Al Abbasi, Ibrahim Al Mannai and AbdulAziz Al Jabri (QMMF Suhail -#930). The two teams also will have the two semi-pro drivers behind the steering wheels, Germany's Julian Hanes and Swedish Daniel Ros.
Both teams will field Porsche 911 cars in the GT3 Cup (992).
Commenting on the participation of the two teams, QMMF President Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai said, the presence of 6 Qatar drivers in the 24-hour challenge represents an important step towards the spread and development of motorsport, in addition to preparing contestants in renowned races of this calibre.
Al Mannai also indicated that the Qatari participation comes within the efforts of QMMF to prepare drivers and help them in qualification for the World Endurance Championship, which Qatar will host for six years from 2024. The 6-hour endurance series will be organised by the QMMF and will take place at the Lusail International Circuit along with the International Motor Show.
The QMMF President also noted that this will be the beginning of preparations so that Qatari drivers can represent Qatar in the World Championships.
Team QMMF Suhail's Porsche 911 during the parade through Motor City, ahead of tomorrow's Hankook 24H Dubai endurance race.
Al Mannai thanked Porsche Center Doha and Al Buraq Automotive Company for their great support for the QMMF's efforts, noting that this support contributes to achieving our future goals and aspirations.
For his part, Salman Jassim Al Darwish, Chairman and CEO of Al Buraq Motors Company W L L, said:“Porsche has a rich sporting heritage in the field of motorsports with more than 30,000 victories on race fields around the world. It has emerged victorious in endurance races that require both the ability of the car and the skill of the driver.”
“Al Buraq Automotive Company, Doha Porsche Center adopts this approach by supporting motorsports in Qatar and supporting young Qatari talents, due to its impact on developing and refining skills and enabling them to compete at the regional and international levels. That is why we decided to participate in this race,” Al Darwish said.
This year's race, the 18th edition of the prestigious endurance event, will flag off at 3:00pm tomorrow and will run uninterrupted until 3:00pm on Sunday. A total of 226 different drivers, including seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi who will make his 24-hours series debut, will be in action over the weekend.
Today, the teams will take part in the Free Practice, followed by the Qualifying Sessions from 2:45pm.
Night practice will start at 6:00pm, followed by the qualifying session at 7:55pm.
The Hancock 24 Hour Challenge is the second biggest 24-hour racing series in the world, and is also the opening round of the series for this year which includes nine other global destinations.