Race start gets underway at 2pm
9 December 2011-The two teams gunning to claim the 2011 Motorcity Endurance championship, Batelco and Dubai Falcons, set the early pace in the fourth and final round at the Kartdrome with multiple winner Alban Varutti and Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum swapping positions during the course of the first hour.
Earlier Varutti set a sizzling pace around the Kartdrome to claim pole position, for Batelco, and took the early lead after the Le Mans style start at 2pm. In immediate pursuit was Al Maktoum, who in turn was followed closely by CG Racing, Seychelles Racing, RusTeam, Publicis Groupe, Ocean Rubber and TrackTalk MediaBoltz making up the top eight.
Dubai Falcons get an early lead on Batelco followed by Team Seychelles
A top field has assembled for the finale with drivers and teams from 30 different countries. Among them the likes of former world karting champion David Terrien, Formula 2 champion Andy Soucek and ace lady racer Fabienne Lanz.
Also in the pack are the UAE’s top drivers including Al Maktoum, Mohammed Al Mutawaa, Saeed Al Mehairi, Atef Al Barwani and Haytham Ali.
All eyes are on the big duel for the top prize, which is the overall championship between Batelco and Dubai Falcons. The entered the finale tied on 140 points and thus the winner will take all. With the pair running nose to tail for the first hour it looks like this one is going down to the wire – an intriguing battle in the pipeline which should carry on throughout the night and up until the end on at 2pm Saturday.
Equally fierce is the contest for the highly coveted Corporate category title, which will also be decided when the race ends with CG Racing and Publicis Groupe Racing the top contenders. Publicis Groupe needs to finish second to claim the title. CG Racing are fielding two teams in an effort to annex the top two spots. Another intriguing contest guaranteed to rage until the very final lap.
Thus with two hours on the board the battle for overall honours is set to be between Batelco, Dubai Falcons, Seychelles Racing and RusTeam. While the corporate battle will centre around Publicis Groupe Racing and CG Racing.
For the others, the big field will ensure tight racing for the duration of the 24 hours with strategy, stamina and speed playing a crucial role in determining the finishing order when the chequered flag falls at 2pm Saturday – and the 2011 champions are declared.
