Dubai 24 Hour
Encyclopedia
The Dubai 24 Hour Race is both a sports car
and touring car
automobile endurance race held annually at the Dubai Autodrome
. It was inaugurated in 2006 and serves as a one of the ultimate tests for both the endurance of the driver and machine.
as well as a host of international teams particularly from European nations.
Unlike the 24 Hours of Le Mans
in France whereby teams are invited by the organizers to compete, the Dubai 24 Hour is solely made up of teams who have registered prior to the commencing of the actual race. Entrants must file in a registration application in order to have a chance at competing. Entry and registration fees also apply for competitors.
(GT), touring cars as well as specially-built silhouette cars
from a wide range of marques which are eligible to enter. These range from small-engined Super 2000
hatchbacks (such as the Renault Clio
and Honda Civic
) to racing-bred sport cars (such as the Porsche 911 GT3
& Marcos Mantis GT).
A method of performance-balancing by the organisers of the event is existent throughout many of the classes featured in the Endurance Race. An example of this can be witnessed in the A2 Class whereby Super 1600
cars race alongside Super 2000
and run on equal performance as the 1,600-cc cars are allowed to carry less weight. Other factors such as a larger fuel tank and also the tire manufacturer for specific classes or ensure even competition.
s. Cars with a maximum engine displacement of 1,300 cc can run on a minimum weight of 750 kg and an 80-litre fuel tank while cars with displacements up to 1,600 cc are run with a minimum weight of 820 kg and a 90-litre fuel tank. Cars that can feature in this class include the Honda Jazz
, Honda Fit
, Toyota Echo, Nissan Tiida
as well as other makes.
and Super 2000
vehicles. These cars generally feature hatchback
and small sedan vehicles. The engine displacement range in this class is between 1,600 cc and 2,000 cc and turbocharging for performance enhancement is not allowed. 1,600-cc to 1,800-cc vehicles can have a minimum weight of 900 kg while 1,800-cc to 2,000-cc cars are to have a minimum weight of 980 kg. Compact car
s generally make up the field for the A2 Class with the most common makes being the Renault Clio Sport and the Honda Civic Type-R.
up to 2,500 cc their engine is enhanced by a turbocharger
. In other words only vehicles which are turbocharged are eligible to compete in the class. All cars in this class run on 100-litre fuel tanks regardless of engine displacement or car weight. In the 2009 version of the race, the class was mainly made up of Turbodiesel
or TDI compact car
s such as the SEAT Leon Super Copa
and the Volkswagen Golf R-Line.
coupe
s with V8, 3.0L+ egines. All cars are required to weigh at least 1,200 kg and utilise a 120-litre fuel tank which are stantard across the category. The 2009 24 Hour Race saw an entire field of a number of makes from the German manufacturer BMW
ranging from Z4 Coupes to modified M3 GT-Rs
.
and cannot exceed 4,000 cc. Due to the vehicles with 3,750 cc to 4,000 cc having an acceleration and top-speed edge than the makes below 3,750 cc, they must carry at least 1,300 kg of weight, thus being the heaviest of the entire race and can only have tanks capable of carrying 90 litres of fuel. Vehicles below this, can have a minimum weight limit of 1,150 kg and a 120-litre fuel tank. The field is usually occupied with nothing but Porsche 911 GT3
cars.
vehicles. For example cars with 2,500 cc to 3,000 cc must meet the minimum limit of 1,200 kg while cars below that displacement have a minimum weight limit of 1,100 kg. A number of BMW 120d makes featured in the class in the 2009 race as well as a BMW 320d.
petrol-driven racing cars which have modified chassis
to their production counterparts. SP1 sees a mix of uniquely-designed vehicles built specifically for high-powered Touring car racing
. The vehicles in this category often vary in great lengths in engine size, power and vehicle weight
, therefore, vehicles who fit the Solution F category can have a minimum weigt of just 950 kg and a 120-litre fuel tank. Other silhouette cars with engines up 3,200 cc of displacement can have a minimum weight of 975 kg and are restricted to a 100-litre fuel tank. Cars with 3,200 cc to 3,600 cc must have a weight of at least 1,050 kg and a fuel tank with a capacity of 100L.
racing cars and electric-powered race cars. It will be running for the first time in 2010 edition of the Dubai 24 Hour. There are currently no performance balancing measures as of yet for the class.
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
and touring car
Touring car
A touring car, or tourer, is an open car seating five or more. Touring cars may have two or four doors. Often, the belt line is lowered in the front doors to give the car a more sportive character. They were often fitted with a folding roof and side curtains. Engines on early models were either in...
automobile endurance race held annually at the Dubai Autodrome
Dubai Autodrome
The Dubai Autodrome is an F.I.A. sanctioned 5.39 km motorsports circuit located in Dubailand, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.Opened in October 2004 with the final round of the 2004 Formula Renault V6 Eurocup season, Dubai Autodrome was the first part of the Dubai Motor City development that was...
. It was inaugurated in 2006 and serves as a one of the ultimate tests for both the endurance of the driver and machine.
Entrants and participants
According to the official website of the Dubai 24Hour, the Endurance race is open to both professional and semi-professional teams. There are both local competitors from the UAE and surrounding nations in the Persian GulfPersian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
as well as a host of international teams particularly from European nations.
Unlike the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
in France whereby teams are invited by the organizers to compete, the Dubai 24 Hour is solely made up of teams who have registered prior to the commencing of the actual race. Entrants must file in a registration application in order to have a chance at competing. Entry and registration fees also apply for competitors.
Class structure
The race features both a variety of Grand TourerGrand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
(GT), touring cars as well as specially-built silhouette cars
Silhouette racing car
A silhouette racing car is a race car which, although bearing a superficial resemblance to a production model, differs mechanically in fundamental ways. The purpose of silhouette cars is to provide a manufacturer with a tangible link to their consumer product offering so as to derive maximum...
from a wide range of marques which are eligible to enter. These range from small-engined Super 2000
Super 2000
Super 2000, also known as S2000, is an FIA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification is split to cover both rally and touring car racing. Super 2000 rally cars are also permitted to compete in Super 2000 World Rally Championship events...
hatchbacks (such as the Renault Clio
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio is a supermini car produced by the French automobile manufacturer Renault. Originally launched in 1990, it is currently in its third generation...
and Honda Civic
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
) to racing-bred sport cars (such as the Porsche 911 GT3
Porsche 911 GT3
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS...
& Marcos Mantis GT).
A method of performance-balancing by the organisers of the event is existent throughout many of the classes featured in the Endurance Race. An example of this can be witnessed in the A2 Class whereby Super 1600
Super 1600
Super 1600 is a rally car formula that is primarily used in the Junior World Rally Championship, as well as various national rally championships. Any automobile manufacturer that has a suitable road-going production model in its range may develop a specification for use in this formula...
cars race alongside Super 2000
Super 2000
Super 2000, also known as S2000, is an FIA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification is split to cover both rally and touring car racing. Super 2000 rally cars are also permitted to compete in Super 2000 World Rally Championship events...
and run on equal performance as the 1,600-cc cars are allowed to carry less weight. Other factors such as a larger fuel tank and also the tire manufacturer for specific classes or ensure even competition.
A1
This is class restricted for subcompact carSubcompact car
Subcompact car is a North American term used to describe automobiles whose class size is smaller than that of a compact car, usually not exceeding in length, but larger than a microcar...
s. Cars with a maximum engine displacement of 1,300 cc can run on a minimum weight of 750 kg and an 80-litre fuel tank while cars with displacements up to 1,600 cc are run with a minimum weight of 820 kg and a 90-litre fuel tank. Cars that can feature in this class include the Honda Jazz
Honda Jazz
The Honda Jazz nameplate has been used by Honda of Japan to denote several different motorized vehicles since 1982:*A 50 cc motorcycle introduced in 1986. Such a scooter still exists, and is currently on sale in Canada...
, Honda Fit
Honda Fit
The Honda Jazz is a five-door hatchback subcompact manufactured by the Honda Motor Company of Japan, first introduced in June 2001 and is now in its second generation. The Jazz shares Honda's Global Small Car Platform with the City/Fit Aria, Airwave/Partner, Mobilio, Mobilio Spike, Freed and Freed...
, Toyota Echo, Nissan Tiida
Nissan Tiida
The Nissan Tiida is a compact car, manufactured by Japanese automaker Nissan, replacing the Pulsar and the Sunny, and marketed also as the Nissan Versa, prominently in the United States...
as well as other makes.
A2
The A2 class features a host of Super 1600Super 1600
Super 1600 is a rally car formula that is primarily used in the Junior World Rally Championship, as well as various national rally championships. Any automobile manufacturer that has a suitable road-going production model in its range may develop a specification for use in this formula...
and Super 2000
Super 2000
Super 2000, also known as S2000, is an FIA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification is split to cover both rally and touring car racing. Super 2000 rally cars are also permitted to compete in Super 2000 World Rally Championship events...
vehicles. These cars generally feature hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
and small sedan vehicles. The engine displacement range in this class is between 1,600 cc and 2,000 cc and turbocharging for performance enhancement is not allowed. 1,600-cc to 1,800-cc vehicles can have a minimum weight of 900 kg while 1,800-cc to 2,000-cc cars are to have a minimum weight of 980 kg. Compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
s generally make up the field for the A2 Class with the most common makes being the Renault Clio Sport and the Honda Civic Type-R.
A3T
This class is specifically for cars with engine displacementEngine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
up to 2,500 cc their engine is enhanced by a turbocharger
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
. In other words only vehicles which are turbocharged are eligible to compete in the class. All cars in this class run on 100-litre fuel tanks regardless of engine displacement or car weight. In the 2009 version of the race, the class was mainly made up of Turbodiesel
Turbodiesel
Turbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. Turbocharging is the norm rather than the exception in modern car and truck diesel engines...
or TDI compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
s such as the SEAT Leon Super Copa
SEAT León
The SEAT León is a small family car built by the Spanish car manufacturer, and Volkswagen Group subsidiary SEAT, S.A. since October 1998.The two León generations are, or have been built upon two differing variants of the Volkswagen Group A platform, and they also share many other components with...
and the Volkswagen Golf R-Line.
A4
The A4 Class is made-up entirely of mid-size cars with an engine displacement between 2,000 cc and 3,000 cc. Due to the wide nature of eligibility of this class, there are certain restrictions on larger engine vehicles. Cars between 2,000 cc and 2,500 cc can have a minimum weight of 1,000 kg while cars between 2,500 cc and 3,000 cc are to have a minimum weight of 1,100 kg. In the 2009, Dubai 24 Hour, the class featured three BMW 130i, a BMW Z4 Coupe and a Porsche 964 Carrera.A5
The A5 class pits genuine FIA-GT4 category cars against each however, the cars in this class are to have a maximum displacement of 3,500 cc. Most of the vehicles in this class are sports carSports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
s with V8, 3.0L+ egines. All cars are required to weigh at least 1,200 kg and utilise a 120-litre fuel tank which are stantard across the category. The 2009 24 Hour Race saw an entire field of a number of makes from the German manufacturer BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
ranging from Z4 Coupes to modified M3 GT-Rs
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
.
A6
This is the highest echolon of Petrol-driven vehicles in the race and is also the quickest category in the race. It features a host of FIA-approved GT3 Category cars from across the globe. The vehicles must have at least 3,500 cc of engine displacementEngine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
and cannot exceed 4,000 cc. Due to the vehicles with 3,750 cc to 4,000 cc having an acceleration and top-speed edge than the makes below 3,750 cc, they must carry at least 1,300 kg of weight, thus being the heaviest of the entire race and can only have tanks capable of carrying 90 litres of fuel. Vehicles below this, can have a minimum weight limit of 1,150 kg and a 120-litre fuel tank. The field is usually occupied with nothing but Porsche 911 GT3
Porsche 911 GT3
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a higher performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is the latest in a line of high performance models, beginning with the 1973 911 RS...
cars.
D1
The first of the diesel powered-car classes, this class aims at drawing together an array of vehicles driven on diesel for the full duration of the race. D1 features vehicles with Engine displacements up to 2,000 cc, which is ideal for smaller-sized hatchback TDI vehicles. This is why the 2009 grid saw an array of European hatchbacks including the VW Scirocco R, SEAT León TDI and BMW 120d.D2
The D2 class caters for diesel-powered vehicles exceeding the limit of 2,000 cc in D1. Generally, mid-sized & full-sized cars occupy the grid. Turbocharging is permitted in this class but handicaps apply to higher displacementEngine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
vehicles. For example cars with 2,500 cc to 3,000 cc must meet the minimum limit of 1,200 kg while cars below that displacement have a minimum weight limit of 1,100 kg. A number of BMW 120d makes featured in the class in the 2009 race as well as a BMW 320d.
SP1
The SP1 class is the first of the Special Cars class and houses silhouetteSilhouette racing car
A silhouette racing car is a race car which, although bearing a superficial resemblance to a production model, differs mechanically in fundamental ways. The purpose of silhouette cars is to provide a manufacturer with a tangible link to their consumer product offering so as to derive maximum...
petrol-driven racing cars which have modified chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
to their production counterparts. SP1 sees a mix of uniquely-designed vehicles built specifically for high-powered Touring car racing
Touring car racing
Touring car racing is a general term for a number of distinct auto racing competitions in heavily-modified street cars. It is notably popular in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia and Britain.-Characteristics of a touring car:...
. The vehicles in this category often vary in great lengths in engine size, power and vehicle weight
Curb weight
Curb weight or kerb weight is the total weight of a vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating consumables , a full tank of fuel, while not loaded with either passengers or cargo.This definition may differ from definitions used by governmental regulatory agencies or other...
, therefore, vehicles who fit the Solution F category can have a minimum weigt of just 950 kg and a 120-litre fuel tank. Other silhouette cars with engines up 3,200 cc of displacement can have a minimum weight of 975 kg and are restricted to a 100-litre fuel tank. Cars with 3,200 cc to 3,600 cc must have a weight of at least 1,050 kg and a fuel tank with a capacity of 100L.
SP2 GT3-A
This is a class reserved for FIA GT3 entrants whose vehicles surpass the 4,000-cc Engine displacement limit for the A6 cars and also for GT3 cars which have 6+ cylinders.SP3 GT4-A
This is a class similar to the SP2 GT3-A category and it is reserved for FIA GT4-spec vehicles. There are performance balancing measures enforced by the racing organzisers to balance out the field in the class. Depending on the Engine discplacement of the vehicle an entrant will be assigned a minimum weight limit of either 750 kg or 1,200 kg and also a fuel tank capacity limit of either 120 litres or 100 litres.SP4
This is the newest class for the race and is solely for hybrid vehicleHybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
racing cars and electric-powered race cars. It will be running for the first time in 2010 edition of the Dubai 24 Hour. There are currently no performance balancing measures as of yet for the class.
Race winners
| Year | Drivers | Team | Car | Laps | Distance | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |  Augusto FarfusAugusto Farfus Augusto Farfus Jr. is a Brazilian auto racing driver. He presently lives in Monaco.- Early years :Farfus first tasted racing in minibike races and won the local championships in 1991....  Edward Sandström Tommy Milner Claudia HürtgenClaudia Hürtgen Claudia Hürtgen is a German race driver. Along with Ellen Lohr and Sabine Schmitz, she is one of Germany's best known female racers.Hürtgen started her career in karting and moved to German Formula 3... |
Need for Speed Need for Speed Need for Speed is a series of racing video games published by Electronic Arts and developed by several studios including Canadian-based company EA Black Box and British-based Criterion Games... by Schubert Motorsport |
BMW Z4 BMW Z4 The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both... GT3 |
594 | 3201.66 | 2:04.858 |
| 2010 2010 Dubai 24 Hour The 2010 TOYO Tires Dubai 24 Hour was the 5th running of the Dubai 24 Hour endurance race. The race was held at the Dubai Autodrome and was organized by the promoter Creventic... |
 France Raymond Narac France Patrick PiletPatrick Pilet Patrick Pilet is a French racing driver. He has competed in major sports car endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Spa, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans.... Germany Marco HolzerMarco Holzer Marco Holzer is a German racing driver. He has competed in such series as the FIA GT3 European Championship, Rolex Sports Car Series, Formula 3 Euro Series and Formula BMW ADAC.-Career results:... |
IMSA Performance Matmut |
Porsche 997 GT3-RSR | 608 | 3277.12 | 2:10.057 |
| 2009 2009 Dubai 24 Hour The 2009 TOYO Tires Dubai 24 Hour was the 4th running of the Dubai 24 Hour endurance event. The race was held at the Dubai Autodrome and was organized by the promoter Creventic... |
Germany Jürgen Häring Greece Taki Konstantinou Germany René Münnich Germany Marc Basseng |
Land Motorsport |
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup | 573 | 3088.47 | 2:07.319 |
| 2008 |  Australia Klark Quinn United Kingdom Tony Quinn New Zealand Craig BairdCraig Baird Craig George Baird MNZM is a race car driver. Baird is a very successful driver in his homeland, winning three consecutive New Zealand Formula Atlantic championship titles , and then four consecutive New Zealand Touring Car Championship titles .Since then Baird has raced in Australian Super... Australia Jonathon WebbJonathon Webb Jonathon Webb is an Australian motor racing driver, currently competing in the V8 Supercar Championship Series.... |
VIP Pet Foods |
Porsche 997 GT3-RSR | 504 | 2716.56 | 2:03.334 |
| 2007 |  Austria Dieter QuesterDieter Quester Dieter Quester is an active touring car racing driver from Austria. Dieter has participated in 53 24-Hour Races. He competed in a single Formula One race in which he finished ninth.... Austria Philipp PeterPhilipp Peter Philipp Peter is a race car driver from Austria.In 2003 he won the 12 Hours of Sebring in a Team Joest Audi R8 with teammates Marco Werner and Frank Biela... Germany Dirk Werner United Kingdom Jamie Campbell-WalterJamie Campbell-Walter Jamie Campbell-Walter is a British professional racing driver. He was born in Oban, Scotland in 16 December 1972. He won the FIA GT Championship in 2000.-Family:... |
Duller Motorsport |
BMW Z4 Coupe | 567 | 3056.13 | 2:04.435 |
| 2006 | Austria Dieter Quester Dieter Quester Dieter Quester is an active touring car racing driver from Austria. Dieter has participated in 53 24-Hour Races. He competed in a single Formula One race in which he finished ninth.... Germany Hans Joachim StuckHans Joachim Stuck Hans-Joachim Stuck , nicknamed "Strietzel", is a German racing driver who has competed in Formula One and many other categories. He is the son of the legendary Hans Stuck. As a young boy, his father taught him driving on the Nürburgring. In 1969 he started his first ever motor race at the... Austria Philipp PeterPhilipp Peter Philipp Peter is a race car driver from Austria.In 2003 he won the 12 Hours of Sebring in a Team Joest Audi R8 with teammates Marco Werner and Frank Biela... Austria Toto WolffToto Wolff Torger Christian "Toto" Wolff is an Austrian investor and racing driver.- Motorsport :Toto Wolff started his motorsports-career 1992 in Australian Formula Ford Championship. He was driving in Austrian and German Formula Ford during 1993 and 1994. 1994 he won the 24 Hours Nürburgring in his category... |
Austria Duller Motorsport |
BMW M3 CSL | 519 | 2797.41 | 2:10.057 |