Start of the inaugural NGK 300 race at Dubai Autodrome

Fri, Feb 8th 2013 – The NGK 300 format, being run at Dubai Autodrome for the first time, was widely praised competitors after a tough and incident packed race on Friday.

Ahead of the race much was made of the possible battle between the Dragon Racing Ferrari of Rob Barff and Leon Price and an impressive line-up of Radical drivers.

From the start the Ferrari looked to have the edge as it sped into the lead, but the power steering problem that cost them dear a month ago during the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai, struck again. With only eight laps on the chart the Ferrari drove into the pits, their race was over.

The focus turned to the battle between the Radicals, which developed into a battle between Ludovic Loffreda/Jordan Grogor who were chased by Amro Al Hamad/Edward Jones and Maurice Faber.

The Grogor/Loffreda car with Grogor at the wheel was chased hard by the Al Hamad/Jones car with Jones in the cockpit. The pair engaged in a cat and mouse duel, as Jones reeled in Grogor with a few laps to go and took the lead. But it was heartache for the Dubai schoolboy as his car spluttered to a halt without fuel.

Grogor thus took the chequered flag to win the inaugural NGK 300, with Faber second and Al Hamad/Jones classified third.

NGK 300 podium with winners Ludovic Loffreda Jordan Grogor, second placed Maurice Faber and third placed Amro Al Hamad Edward Jones

Gorgor said, “It was a great race. We are very pleased to win after a good battle. We had some problems of the car, but managed to overcome these. My teammate Ludovic handed me the car in the lead and that was great. From then onwards I was able to do the business. We’re happy and I dedicate this victory to my teammate.”

Behind the battle between the Radicals, two former UAE champions made their return to the local scene after an absence.

2011/2012 UAE Touring Car champion Nader Zuhour powered to class victory in the SEAT Leon Super Copa, with Spencer Vanderpal partnering Jason O’Keefe also winning their class on the day in the Dunlop 24 Hours class winning BMW 120D.

Sami Moutran took top honours in the Clio Class after a race long duel with Guillaume Simonnet, the pair driving Renault Clios.

Zuhour said afterwards, “It was great to be back. I really enjoyed this format of racing. It is what racing is about, not only about speed but also pacing one self. And for me it is good practice for the racing I will be doing in Europe including the Nurburgring endurance races.”

Moutran echoed the sentiment, “This type of racing is what Dubai Autodrome is made for. Not just about sprint racing and going fast all the way. This type of racing makes you think and take care of the car. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept and hope we will be having more of this type of races in the future.”