CG Racing were the big winners at the end of the Dubai Kartdrome 12 Hours driven by MINI as they not only took a well deserved overall race victory with their CG Racing Pro team, but their teams also finished 1-2 in the tightly contested Corporate Class.
With an impressive line-up of drivers led by former karting world champion David Terrien and including Alban Varutti, and the Azzam brothers Rami and Ramez the newly formed CG Racing Pro team were the pace setters from the moment the UAE national flag waved at 2pm on Friday to set the field of 30 karts on the 12 hour adventure.
In an example of team work and strategy they racked up 570 laps by the time the chequered flag dropped at 2am on Saturday morning to bring proceedings to an end and by then had amassed a gap of two laps over their closest rivals.
Team captain Terrien said afterwards, “We had fantastic drivers and we made no mistakes. It is the first time we have all raced together, so it’s a great result. We were very consistent throughout the 12 hours and this was a key factor.”
“I am also proud because the three drivers I raced with were drivers who I also coached when they were younger. This makes victory that much sweeter. I want to take the opportunity to thank CG Racing team principal Pierre Choueri for his commitment to this project and I am happy we can repay him with victory,” concluded Terrien.
Chasing hard throughout the 12 hours were the Sky Dive Dubai Falcons Racing team led by Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, with Saeed Al Mehairi and Mohammed Al Mutawaa in the line-up. They never gave up their relentless chase of the leaders, but had to settle for second place. However there was consolation for the all Emirati squad who did clinch top spot in the prestigious Nations Cup category.
Dubai Falcons team director Hadi Al Blouishi said, “It is a good start for the season. Early in the race we had some troubles with the kart but our guys are professional and dealt with the situation in a good way. We worked really hard as a team, drivers and management. It was a well organised event as always by Dubai Autodrome.”
He added, “It was an amazing race with 30 teams in the field. I want to congratulate CG Racing for the win. They did a good job. It feels good to win the Nations Cup as an all Emirati team it sends out a signal to sponsors that we mean business and can deliver at a very high level. But next time we will be coming here with the victory in our sights.”
CG Racing 1 and CG Racing 2, in third and fourth (overall) respectively which amounted to first and second place in the Corporate Class. Third in the Corporate Class was MBC Action.
CG Racing team boss Pierre Choueri said, “We had an objective to win both the Pro and Corporate categories, and that is exactly what we did. The targets were achieved exactly as planned, so watch out guys for the next race.”
As for the secret to the CG Racing’s ongoing success in endurance karting, Choueri said, “It’s all about determination. Setting goals, and working hard to achieve them. Then we race with hearts and our minds, and the results come.”
“I also want to point out the role played by team captains Oliver Saade (Corporate) and David Terrien (Pro) and of course our team manager Habib Chouery. These guys pulled it all together. They did an amazing job, but in the end it was all round team effort and team victory. I am very proud of our boys,” concluded the CG Racing team boss.”
Fifth overall, and third in the Pro category, was Timeless Events Racing after a race long duel with TrackTalk Mediaboltz who were sixth overall and fourth in the Pro Class.
Other prizes went to Racing Falcons who were awarded the best new team, and the special Spirit of Karting prize, presented by Jean Louis Hissette, went to CDM Racing featuring the first ever father and son pairing to race in the event.
Round 2 of the Dubai Kartdrome Endurance Championship driven by MINI takes place on 17 May 2013.