After 20 hours of racing the odds of success for the Abu Dhabi Black Falcon Mercedes have increased markedly, as one of the car’s stoutest rivals has retired.
The #24 Saudi Falcon Schubert racing BMW Z4 retired to the garage with four hours, twenty-five minutes to go with no oil pressure.
Even if the team can find and fix the problem, the Schubert car is no longer a factor in the overall contest. This leaves the #1 Black Falcon Mercedes, the 2012 winner, with only one possible competitor, the AF Corse Ferrari, three laps down.
In third, the #8 Fach Auto Tech Porsche leading the A6 Am class is two laps behind the AF Corse Ferrari.
A further lap back Takayuki Aoki in the #19 JLOC Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ is fighting hard to hold off Darren Turner in the #15 Craft Racing AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT3. Eight seconds separate the two cars, with four hours to go.
Other Classes
Peter Bonk’s #126 SP2 Bonk Motorsport Chevrolet Corvette C6 leads its class, even though it has been in the garage for a few minutes getting brake repair. The Corvette is a lap and a half ahead of Max Braams in the #98 SP2 Equipe Verschuur Renault Megane Trophy. This one is far from decided.
Splitting these two in 16th overall is Trevor Knight in the #148 SP3 Cor Euser Racing Lotus Evora GT4 with a seven-lap lead.
In 19th and 20th are two class leaders: Paul Stubber in the #54 Motorsport Services/STR Porsche 997 Cup leads the 997 class, while in the #63 JR motorsport BMW E46 GTR, Harry Hilders leads A5.
The Racing Divas/Schubert racing team is firmly in control of the A3T class. Gaby Uljee is at the wheel of the team’s BMW 320D, several dozen laps ahead of the closest competitor.
In 35th through 38th are the last four class winners.
Rupesh Chanake in the #57 LAP57 Racing Team Honda Saloon leads A2; Roland Eggimann in the #62 Kuepper Racing BMW E46 Coupe leads A4, and Marc Hürler in the #105 Gloyna-Motorsport Renault Clio leads A4.
Finally, Chris Gleeson is at the wheel of the #116 Red Camel-Jordans.nl Seat Leon 2.0 Tdi leads D1.
Watch all the action of the closing hours of the Dubai 24 live online at 24hDubai.com.
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