Gulf Radical Cup 2008/2009 - The Premier Race Series in the Gulf

Rounds 5 & 6 - Gulf Radical Cup, Dubai Autodrome

With several of the leading drivers unable to attend the January event, the Gulf Radical Cup rounds ran as a single Class with all competitors driving identical 252bhp Radical SR3s.

This presented SR8 regular Bassam Kronfli (EVO Middle East) with the opportunity to test his skills against unbeaten Class C winner, young Fahad Algosaibi (Algosaibi Travel) in an SR3. The 20 minute Qualifying session was to set the scene for the two races to come with Algosaibi fastest by just one tenth of a second over the 2.46km Club Circuit. Abu Dhabi’s Humaid Al Masaood put in a stunning lap of 1:02.454 which was within one second of the more experienced driver Kronfli.

Race 1 proved to be a real thriller with poleman Algosaibi being beaten off the line by Kronfli, but with Algosaibi then right on his tail followed closely by Keverne McShine (Team Macdonald Accadia). It stayed that way throughout the entire 15 lap race with a gap of less than a second as Algosaibi waited patiently for Kronfli to make a mistake. Behind these two, a similar battle was taking place with Al Masaood apparently glued to McShine’s rear bodywork throughout the race with the same challenge as Algosaibi. But these experienced drivers don’t make mistakes very often and so the order stayed that way until the chequered flag with Bassam taking the win. Newcomer, David Field (Aviva) in the SR5 had an excellent first race by finishing only half a second ahead of Fawaz Algosaibi (Algosaibi Travel) who in turn managed to stay ahead of the fast closing Rami Malhas (Volante).

Race 2 enabled Kronfli to demonstrate his superiority as he led from start to finish from the rolling start and finished the race some 22 seconds ahead of Fahad Algosaibi. But this time Al Masaood was more determined to get past McShine and managed to make a clean pass at the end of lap 13 to take a well deserved third place.

Rounds 11 and 12 of the Gulf Radical Cup will take place at the Dubai Autodrome on 27th and 28th February along with UAE Touring Car and Sportbike Championships and the Speedcar Series.