Countdown to Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai Begins with Huge Shipping Operation

DUBAI, UAE, November 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Cars and equipment in 55 containers soon to set sail for Dubai
• Quality field featuring top drivers and marques to do battle
• Unprecedented amount media coverage and exposure planned

In a couple of months' time, a variety of international race teams and drivers will assemble at Dubai Autodrome for the ninth running of the Dunlop 24H Dubai on 9-11 January, 2014.

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Anticipation for the first international endurance race of the new calendar year for GTs, touring cars and 24H specials is rising. Later this month, a total of 70 freight containers with cars and equipment will get underway to Dubai from Rotterdam and various other ports all over the world.

"When we talk to team members and drivers, they all tell us how much they are looking forward to the event, and so are we, of course," says Gerrie Willems on behalf of Dutch agency, Creventic organisers and promoters of the Dunlop 24H Dubai in co-operation with DNRT. The Dunlop 24H Dubai will be the opening round of the 2014 24H Series powered by Dunlop.

The entry list for the event looks impressive. With Abu Dhabi by Black Falcon, entering a pair of Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3s, and Saudi Falcons Team Schubert with two BMW Z4 GT3s, former winners of the race are on the grid, but there are also plenty of other teams in the A6/GT3 category with such varied machinery as Porsche 997 GT3 R, Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Lamborghini Gallardo GT3, Dodge Viper, McLaren MP4-12C GT3 and the eagerly-awaited new Bentley Continental GT3.

Among the drivers are five times' DTM champion, Bernd Schneider, Le Mans winner, Guy Smith, world touring car champion Rob Huff, two times' Porsche Supercup champion, ALMS class champion and Le Mans class winner, Jeroen Bleekemolen. The SP2 and SP3 classes include plenty of variety as well, from the Renault Mégane Trophy and GC Automobile silhouette cars to Saker and Ginetta sports cars. Brands like BMW, SEAT, Volkswagen, Opel, Renault, Mini, Honda and Suzuki are represented in the touring car classes.

"We have made some slight modifications to the 'balance of performance' rulings and other technical elements, to ensure that everybody can enjoy fair competition in all classes," Willems pointed out. The detailed regulations can be found on the official website: Sporting and Technical Regulations.

In three weeks' time, a total of 70 freight containers will make their way to Dubai. From the port of Rotterdam, 40 containers with cars and equipment from the various teams will be shipped to Dubai while another 15 containers will be dispatched from other ports around the world. Moreover, Dunlop, as the event's official title sponsor and exclusive tyre partner, will have 15 containers with tyres on site to provide the usual top-level service for all competitors.

Extensive media coverage has also been ensured. Once again, Radio Show Limited, the experts behind Radio Le Mans, will be on board, while Quattro Media will again be producing television footage to be broadcast live on Motors TV and various other channels. A live stream will also be available throughout the race on our website.  

Keep up to date through the official website: http://www.24hdubai.com/

File Photo: Action from the 2013 Dunlop 24 Hours with Dubai's iconic buildings as a backdrop

http://www.dubaiautodrome.com/tracktalk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SE9B86761.jpg

SOURCE Dubai Autodrome