Dubai 24 Hours - Hours 7-12
Rain – Different Sorts
Janos Wimpffen

During the day the TV monitor once or twice showed a different location, but not that we’re well into darkness it is frozen on one spot and one setting—scintillating.

At exactly 22:00 the rains arrived. It came heavy and most teams ducked in for the grooved stuff. However, within 20 minutes it let up to barely a mist. Of course, this prompted someone to go off and we’ve gone full-course pink-purple—whatever color that is. This time a large batch of teams are booked for speeding.

The next period of green, about 45 minutes this time, resulted in a steady improvement by the previously delayed Porsches. It was also a fairly dry time, somewhat negating the advantage of the BMWs in the wet. The best of this batch was the Juniper Racing Porsche, No. 26, which rose to 3rd behind the other Aussie car and the Silhouette (then to 2nd when No. 105 makes a double stop). The No. 11 Bleekemolen entry, No. 28 Lechner team, No. 32 Speed Lover, the other Lechner car, and Team Singapore have all moved back into the top ten. Also recovering is the No. 14 Jetalliance after a delay. The No. 48 BMW is still mixed in with the Porsches—far and away the best of Munich bunch. Also running well after earlier delays is the lone Nissan.

At about 23:30 comes another Code Purple—which became the lengthiest of the day. Another windy rain squall arrived, catching about some 7 cars in various incidents. The chance of rain will increase through the night and into the morning—varying between “sprinkles”, “showers”, and “rain.” I’ve lived in Seattle for nearly 30 years and still can’t tell the difference—variation in terms is merely a meteorologist’s ploy for full employment.

Further down the list there are tales of recovery. The No. 41 Black Falcon A5 class BMW is doing well after Sean Breslin dinged it a few hours ago. Sorry tale with the three Marcos Racing BMWs. The No. 93 was punted into the wall by the No. 95 (although not listed as a Marcos entry, it really is). Meanwhile, the No. 94 had gone into the wall in the wet earlier on and it was decided to cannibalize 94 for the benefit of the other two.

Another Code 60 occurred when the No. 8 First Motorsport Porsche slid backwards into the wall on the front straight. Damage was heavy and although it was brought to the pits the team soon retired.

Mauro reports that he likes the Code 60 system. “Everybody knows that they must slow down or they will be penalized. There is no argument. The problem is though that is bad for the car. In second or third gear the car jerks and it is bad for the gearbox. Fourth gear at 60 kph is bad for the engine. With the technology, we should be able to find a solution.”

At Bovi Motorsport, both cars have fallen back after good marches forward. The Brokernet was up to 12th before having the hub assembly loosen up. A slow march to the pits and some repairs send it on its way. The No. 20 Porsche had a longer delay. It lost part of its front bodywork, clipped a wall, and was stranded for a while. It’s since returned, lost about 20 minutes in the pits, and is on its way. The Hungarian Seats have fallen to the rear of the A1 set with a variety of short delays.

The No. 79 Exigence / Newedege Renault is doing well and improvising well. The team had no wet weather tires and have simply cut their slicks. The No. 86 BMW of Red Camels looked like it was smoking camels, with smoke pouring out of most crevices—it turned out to mostly be steam.

The No. 40 Pet Foods Porsche is doggedly moving up the order after a shunt, a right rear puncture and some power steering issues. They’re still working on the Audi—trying to locate electrical parts. It’s not moved since the early hours—determination or futility?

Jaap van Lagen has taken the Audi out after about 8 hours in the pits. At the other end of the scale, the No. 36 Ebbing Porsche non-started—until about the 4 hour mark, but after a few hours of indifferent lapping Jordan Grogor broke the second gearbox.

The No. 38 KRS Porsche is out with a blown motor. The No. 84 Klos Fiesta is partying away although the engine is unable to pull full revs. The Spanish Porsche, No. 37, is another that is running well after earlier delays. In their case the time spent fixing, respectively, a wheel hub, the clutch, and cooling system, have doomed it for a good placing.

The efforts of the Marcos team are for naught as they’ve lost their second car. The No. 94 is out—having deposited much of its engine oil on the garage floor. The No.99 Schubert Motorsport fall from grace was occasioned by accident damage.

At about the 2:10 mark we have another Code Purple—the 10th or 11th—I’ve lost track. The rain streams down heavy for a brief period and we have our usual assortment of dents, such as the right door on the No. 79 Clio. The Lotus is swimming through it adequately—another car running on cut slicks.

The Nissan team is enjoying the rain and climbing up the order as the Porsches cannot use their power advantage, nor with the slower stops is the team hampered by FIA GT mandated bolt-on wheels.

Even the timing and scoring burped for a few moments as the race lurches between tedium and a modicum of excitement.

Link to positions every hour