Cytech UAE GTA winners Karim Al-Azhari and Fabien Giroix Tam HoP Corvette

Dubai, November 26th 2010 –  UAE National Race Day Report from Dubai Autodrome. The Cytech UAE GT one hour mini-enduro race was the highlight of the fourth UAE National race day of the season at Dubai Autodrome. On the support bill were a pair of races for UAE Sportscars, three races for the Suzuki Swift Cup and one race for UAE Sportbikes.

Cytech UAE GT: Al Azhari and Giroix win a thriller

Round 3 of the Cytech UAE GT Championship turned out to be one of the best on record. Close racing across the quality field was a highlight of the day.

In the premier GTA Class it was two in a row for the TAM Auto Engineering prepared House of Portier Corvette pairing of Karim Al Azhari and Fabien Giroix. The duo staved off a concerted challenge from the Bassam Kronfli/ Raed Hassan Ginetta in the early stages, with Kronfli leading a large part of the first half of the race.

After the pitstops the Dodge Viper of Julian Griffin to the lead and what followed was a thrilling battle for top spot between the Viper and the Corvette, with Giroix in the cockpit. Griffin showed why his considered one of the best GT drivers around as he held onto the lead despite immense pressure, but with four minutes left to run in the hour long enduro Giroix made his move to take the lead and the chequered flag.

Al Azhari said afterwards, “This was a great win. My role in the first stint was to keep the tyres in good shape for Fabien. And when he got in the cockpit he did the business. Another good showing by our team.”

It was a double on the day for the TAM Auto Engineering/House of Portier squad as Mohammed Al Mutawaa and Jiri Skula powered to victory in the GTC Class ahead of the MSW Racing Porsche of Jon Simmonds and Phil Quaife.

The hotly contested GTC Class was won by Robert Cregan in the GulfSport Maserati ahead of team mate Joe Ghanam. The biggest cheer of the day went to third placed pairing of Saad Salman and Jordan Grogor in the KTM X-Bow.

UAE Sportbikes: Grosjean wins but slow down lap crash mars race

With the main 1000 Class UAE Sportbike regulars doing duty in the Qatar Superbike Championship, the 600 Class became the highlight on the series on the day.

Reigning champion Pascal Grosjean (Yamaha) was the man to beat and got a great start to take the lead into turn one. Tucked in behind him was Jason Burnside (Mapei Honda) and Tony Jordan (Yamaha). The trio were inseparable for most of the race. In the end it was Grosjean who took top honours by 1.9 seconds from second placed Burnside  and Jordan third.

Shortly after the finish line, on the slow down lap after the race, Grosjean, Burnside and Jordan collided, resulting in Grosjean and Jordan being airlifted to hospital for treatment. Early reports indicated that the injuries are serious but the riders have been stabilized but are in ICU. (See Important Official Update Statement Here.) 

UAE Sportscars: Juno break Autodrome duck as Bradshaw wins

It was a good day for Juno, who prior to this, round 4 of the UAE Sportscar Championship, had not won a race at Dubai Autodrome. British driver Tom Bradshaw finished second in race one and took the chequered flag in race two.

Another great performance on the day was Bob George (Radical SR3) who was the race one winner and third in race two.

Reigning champion Jordan Grogor (AUH Motorsport Radical SR3) was second in the first race and finished third in race two.