Dubai Kartdrome Endurance Championship reaches new heights 22.12.2015: Dubai Falcon Racing Team dedicate victory to Crown Prince photo caption: Champions Dubai Falcon Racing Team with Dubai

Dubai Falcon Racing Team dedicate victory to Crown Prince



photo caption:    Champions Dubai Falcon Racing Team with Dubai Autodrome UAE Liaison officer Abdullah Lanjawi


The dust has settled on the 2015 Kartdrome Endurance Championship driven by Mini, and it would be fair to say that this year's edition was one of the most impressive ever at the UAE's most popular leisure karting venue.


Over 40 teams and more than 250 drivers took part in the four rounds, which together delivered the closest fought championship in the ten-year history of the series, with all three titles decided in the final of four races.


Dubai Falcon Racing Team managed by Hadi Al Bloushi, captained by Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and also featuring Saeed Al Mehairi, Sam Zian, Steve Lyall and Sean Bambington in the driving seat, were popular champions in 2015.





photo caption:    Dubai Falcon Racing Team celebrate (L to R) Hadi Al Bloushi, Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Saeed Al Mehairi



They finished second to their chief rivals CG Racing Pro in the first race and then proceeded to win the next two races and arrived at the final to face a winner-take-all scenario.


The final is now history, and it is documented that the Dubai Falcons dug deep to score a decisive victory. Al Bloushi said: "It was a very tense final, in fact a tense season as we worked hard to win this title which all of us wanted very badly as we are racing on our home track and in our home town of Dubai."


"Endurance racing is a combination of team work, strategy, speed, making as few mistakes as possible and of course some luck also helps. We managed to maximise these elements and as a result we as a team are proud to dedicate our title to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and thank him for his support which helps make this happen."


Although it may have been disappointment for CG Racing Pro, the CG Racing group of four teams once again raised the benchmark both on and off the track.


Remarkably, they entered the final round in contention for three titles and in the end walked away with the prestigious Corporate Category championship with CG Racing 2 doing the business when it mattered.


Mini Dubai, an all Emirati line-up of drivers and crew, claimed the Nations Cup title with class victories in the first and third rounds, along with an all-important triumph in the crucial final round of the series which boked their spot on the top step of the Nations Cup podium.




photo caption:    Strong fields resulted in competitive races in the 2015 Kartdrome Endurance Championship driven by Mini
 


Kartdrome manager Ryan Trutch reflected: "It has been another close battle for the Endurance Championship driven by Mini. I would like to personally congratulate category winners Dubai Falcons, CG Racing 2 and Mini Dubai as well as thank all other teams for their contribution to this championship that attracts more international teams each year."


"We are very proud of the feedback that we receive from the teams as we work very hard as a team to keep this championship at the pinnacle of worldwide endurance karting, and we thank all the Kartdrome staff and officials for making this event what it is."


"We also thank Mini AGMC for their continued support of the Championship to make this event even more special. I am sure with them winning the nations category it is a sweet result for their efforts."


The status of the Kartdrome Endurance Championship, and the 24 Hours race in particular, is highlighted by the fact that some of the sport's top drivers have taken part. They included F1 star Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne in 2014, Formula 2 champion Andy Soucek in 2010, while this year touring car legend Jorg Mueller was in action at the season finale.



photo caption:    Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum is drenched after leading the Dubai Falcon Racing Team to victory in the 2015 Kartdrome Endurance Championship driven by Mini



Kartdrome's David Bright said: "As a team we at the Kartdrome do our utmost to ensure a level playing field. The fact that the top 20 drivers are within a second of one another is testament to this.


“It gives our series credibility, which in turn attracts top drivers and teams. Next year we plan to level the playing field even further as we constantly strive to give everyone a chance of winning and we are again expecting another season of top drivers and strong entry of teams from the UAE, the region and around the world.”


- Tony Lewis, Total Communications Dubai - also photos