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Dunlop Dubai 24 Hours – Hour 10
Report The GT3 Viper had indeed gone missing and was recovered back to the pits having lost more than five minutes. Initial reports suggested a steering-rack related issue. The #118 Nova Race Arancio Ginetta suffers two spins in quick succession and crawls back to the pits with rear suspension failure. Sean Edwards still leads, and has built up a 20 second advantage. 23:17 – The #103 Las Moras Renault Megane Trophy takes the lead in SP2 as the GT3 Viper continues to be worked on. 23:19 – Edward Sandström is trying to unlap himself from Max Nilsson, but the two almost take each other out in the process. The BMW completes the manoeuvre further round the lap. 23:32 – The #132 Saker is circulating with a huge plume of what smells like oil streaming from its rear. If it is oil, the circuit is now coated.
The GT3 Racing Viper is now back on track after a 26 minute stop. The Dodge is now third in class, but six laps behind the lead Megane.
Rob Barff confirms that the AUH Ferrari is a retirement. Transmission failure is the reason. The Saker returns to the pitlane and heads straight to the garage; the fluid turns out to be water after what appears to have been a head gasket failure. 23:43 – Nilsson pits from second. The #26 United Audi is back in its garage. 23:47 – The 997 Class-leading #43 Porsche spins at Turn 7, prompting the third Code 60. The car was at the end of a very long stint – 108 minutes – prompting speculation that it may have run out of juice. The leader pits – this time managing to get in under the caution period. 23:55 – Green. Jeroen Bleekemolen now leads in the Abu Dhabi Black Falcon Mercedes. |
