Dubai Kartdrome Endurance Championship driven by Mini underway 04.03.2016: 29 teams flagged off at 12noon to battle for top honours until midnight

29 teams flagged off at 12noon to battle for top honours until midnight



photo caption:    Start of the first round of the 2016 Kartdrome Endurance Championship Driven by Mini



 The first round of the 2016 Kartdrome Endurance Championship Driven by Mini got underway in Dubai on Friday with 29 teams being flagged off at 12 noon, set to battle it out for top honours until midnight.


From the outset LD Racing from Russia signalled their intent by claiming pole position and taking the early lead after the Le Mans style start set the field off on the 12 hours marathon.


Keeping the Russian outfit honest were multiple champions Batelco Racing who took the lead within the first hour with the two pace setters working together at the front to build a gap on the chasing pack.


And chasing hard were ENOC NH8 in third ahead of Globcom Racing in fourth, reigning champions Dubai Falcon Racing Team fifth and CG Racing Pro sixth.


But the positions at the front changed regularly in the early hours as teams jostled for control and suggesting that this 12th edition is set for a dramatic climax with several teams capable of snatching top spot.


In an effort to further level the playing field the organisers have introduced a new kart track swap system which ensures that teams will have equal equipment throughout the race.




Kartdrome’s David Bright explains, “In the past teams were allocated a kart which they used for an entire race. Going forward we have introduced kart changes which will take place throughout the race.


“Teams will swap karts in a designated area during their pit stops which will ensure that no team has advantage of a better kart for sustained periods of time.”



Competing teams have lobbied for and support the change to the new format which is in line with the system used at the annual Sodi-W-Series (SWS) Grand Finals, for which competitors in the Kartdrome Endurance Championship are eligible.


The chequered flag will wave at midnight (Friday to Saturday) to bring proceedings in the first of the four championship rounds to an end.




Teams are competing for the Overall prize, the Corporate Category and the Nations Cup.





Lindsay Johnston / Ahmad Huzayen    - Total Communications also photos