Dubai gearing up for 24-hour driving festival

Petrol heads are to enjoy a special treat in Dubai this weekend when the annual Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai event gets underway.

From Friday (January 9th) until Sunday, spectators will be treated to racing featuring more than 80 teams and about 400 drivers from all over the world.

What's more, there will be a strong local flavour, with several competitors from the UAE set to take part in what is scheduled to be the ninth time the classic endurance competition has been held.

Perhaps the most famous face is local favourite Khalid Al Qubaisi, who has already won the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai race twice and will be looking for his third triumph in 2014 with the Black Falcon team at the race at the Dubai Autodrome.

He is due to share driving duties with team-mates Bernd Schneider, Andreas Simonsen, Prince Abdul Aziz Al Faisal and Jeroen Bleekemolen.

But Black Falcon cannot expect to have it all their own way, as Dragon Racing are also intent on winning the race and have shown just how serious they are by entering two Ferraris.

Dubai Autodrome general manager Richard Birch said it is always particularly pleasing to see homegrown talent take to the racetrack and people from the UAE who attend are sure to get behind their compatriots.

'With the likes of Abu Dhabi Black Falcon and Dragon Racing capable of winning the race outright, and the likes of Lap57 Racing Team, Memac Ogilvy Duel Racing and SVDP Racing capable of class wins, all adds local interest to this multi-national event.

'All this, coupled to UAE drivers in action for international teams, provides valuable inspiration and motivation for local racing drivers,' he stated.

Teams from the UAE have become increasingly competitive over the years and there are hopes that one can prove victorious in 2014. A local winner in Dubai's biggest motorsport event is sure to be warmly received.