GT3 Europe

FIA GT3 – Dubai Race 2 Cancelled

© DPPI

All of the teams and drivers in the FIA GT3 European Championship were looking forward to the final event of the season, at the Dubai Autodrome; a visit to the United Arab Emirates at the beginning of December for some winter sunshine, and the last two races of the 2008 season.

Unfortunately the weather refused to co-operate; a torrential storm on Friday night left parts of the circuit underwater and the main access tunnel to the paddock flooded. Despite the best efforts of the organisers the volume of flood water was simply too great to be cleared in time for Saturday’s racing to be held, and with great reluctance the last round of the Championship had to be cancelled.

It is some consolation that Friday’s race had decided the Drivers’ title in favour of the No.1 Martini Callaway Corvette Z.06R GT3 duo of Arnaud Peyroles and James Ruffier, and the Teams’ Championship has been claimed by Matech GT Racing.

The cancellation was a disappointing anticlimax to a tremendous season of racing, particularly after the previous day’s thrilling race. Nonetheless everyone involved was determined to look to the future. “We are disappointed and very sorry for the Dubai Autodrome which has put on such an exceptional event, with three great series such as the Speedcar, GP2 Asian Series and the FIA GT3 European Championship” said Stéphane Ratel, chairman of series promoter SRO. “Yesterday we had a wonderful day of racing, and the crowds present proved the success of the concept. Fortunately the Championship was decided yesterday and we would like to congratulate our 2008 Champions, James Ruffier, Arnaud Peyroles and Matech GT Racing. We would like to thank the Dubai Autodrome and all involved for their warm welcome, and look forward to returning to Dubai next year.”

Thomas Accary and Pierre-Brice Mena, in the No.8 Hexis Racing Aston Martin DBRS9, finished second in yesterday’s race, a result which saw them claim second place in the Drivers’ standings. Third went to the No.20 Matech GT Racing Ford GT pair of Ian Khan and Thomas Mutsch; Bradley Ellis, in the No.21 Matech GT Racing Ford GT, finished the season level on points with Khan and Mutsch, but the No.20 air take the place as a result of having won more races (three versus two). So the three top places go to drivers of three different makes of car.

Behind Matech GT Racing in the Teams’ Championship were Hexis Racing and Martini Callaway Racing.

The cancellation means that the winners of the Manufacturers Cups are as follows:

Aston Martin: Thomas Accary and Pierre-Brice Mena
Corvette: Arnaud Peyroles and James Ruffier
Ferrari: Jose Manuel Balbiani
Ford: Bradley Ellis
Porsche: David Ashburn and Richard Williams