8 January 2009: Porsches dominated the top two positions in qualifying for tomorrow’s (Friday, 9 January) Toyo Tires 24 Hours of Dubai. Italian squad Autorlando Sport will start from pole position in their Porsche 997 RSR who were over half a second quicker than a similar machine in Land Motorsport colours. The Equipe Verschuur Renault Megane Trophy powered to third spot on the grid.

The race, which is under the patronage of Crown Prince of Dubai and the President of Dubai Autodrome His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be flagged off tomorrow at 2pm by FIA Vice President and ATCUAE President Mohammed Bin Sulayem.

Local attention was focused on the Khaleji Motorsport entries consisting of a Ferrari and Porsche with local hero Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum in the former with Dubai based aces Karim Al Azhari, Cabell Fisher and Tarek Elgammal in the latter. The Porsche squad was at the sharp end of proceedings, constantly in the top ten, throughout the morning Free Practice and went on to post the fourth fastest time in qualifying with Al Azhari at the wheel. It was a remarkable achievement for the team who have hedged their bets on local racing talent which have not failed them, in fact impressing the international contingent immensely by their speed and professionalism.

UAE Champion Karim Al Azhari was optimistic about the potential of the Khaleji Motorsport Porsche, “The team are doing a fantastic job. They are very professional and have an impressive setup for this race which they are taking very seriously. The Porsche is well prepared and I felt comfortable immediately and was happy to set a fast time as there is a great deal of traffic with many really good cars. I am optimistic about our potential for the race.”

Sporting the biggest grins in the paddock after qualifying were co-drivers Elgammal and Fisher who were both on a high having seen their team mate Al Azhari notching up the fourth quickest time. Both have driven Porsches before and are confident, that should they not have problems during the course of the 24 hours, they will be on the podium.

The Khaleji Motorsport Ferrari drivers managed sixteenth place in qualifying, second in the SP2 Class and Sheikh Hasher was positive after his first drive in the Khaleji Motorsport Ferrari, “It was good, felt smooth, easy to drive and I was happy with my time. It was only a few laps for me but I know there is much more I can do. We are going all out for a good result and to win our class.” According to the Khaleji Motorsport team technicians Sheikh Hasher did an impressive job setting fast times, within the top ten fastest in practice, despite going out on well worn tyres. The popular Emirati driver did well to concentrate on the job at hand as he was the focus of concerted media attention throughout the day.

Another very impressive performance came from from Saudi Arabian team of Al Faisal Racing who qualified their BMW Z4 M Coupe in fifth ahead of some much more powerful machinery. The immaculately turned out BMW was constantly punching above it’s weight and were an astounding five seconds quicker than their nearest Class A5 rival.

UAE Touring Car regular front runner Raed Hassan managed to land a drive in the Mitsubishi EVO10 and was reveling in the task of driving for the Mitsubishi Motors UK team. Hassan was finding the change from driving a left hand car to a right hand car a challenge, “It feels totally different to my Mitsubishi which I race in the Touring Car series. I am learning as we go along and at first I was very slow as I figured out where everything is and getting used to shifting with my left hand. The team worked on sorting out some understeer and balancing the car and my times have improved each time I have gone out. I am really having a great experience.”

Dubai based drivers of the newly formed DXB Racing spent much of the two sessions, practice and qualifying, concentrating on learning their new Aston Martin Vantage and setting it up for the endurance ahead. They managed 42nd fastest time but are focusing on the race where they will have ample time to make an impression.

Master Formula One circuit designer (architect of Yas Island race track in Abu Dhabi) Herman Tilke is part of the Land Motorsport Porsche team which qualified second quickest commented on Dubai Autodrome, “It is a very tricky circuit and I like it very much, because it is not easy. It is different to a Formula One track as it does not have to adhere to the parameters of a track built for Formula One. Really I am very happy to be here and enjoy the technical nature of Dubai Autodrome.” He concluded with a laugh, “Only regret I have is that we did not design it.”

Over 250 drivers will be in action at Dubai Autodrome, during the 24 hours, supported by over 400 crews of mechanics, team managers and support staff. Eighty cars, competing in eight different classed, are expected to make it onto the grid for the start of the race which will provide a stern test of man, machine and teamwork.

Race day tomorrow (Saturday, 9 January) starts with a half hour warm-up session at 10.30am. Before the 2pm start, which will be flagged off by FIA Vice President and ATCUAE President Mohammed Bin Sulayem, there will be pit lane walks, parades and grid walk for VIPs. Twenty minutes before the start flag drops, organisers have announced, that there will be a two minute period of silence as a sign of respect for the innocent victims of violence in Gaza.

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