Round 3 of the Gulf Radical Cup took place at the weekend at the Dubai Autodrome.
This round would be run using the GRC SuperPrix format. What this means is that the normal qualifying format is replaced with ‘superpole’. A real test for drivers to perform over just two laps. Sent out at 90-second intervals, drivers need to get up to speed on a single out lap and then push as hard as they can for two laps. No mistakes, as a deleted lap(s) could see you at the back of the grid. The race element also changes, with one race only, but 85 minutes in length with a tyre and fuel stop roughly halfway through.
So, starting the order for superpole was drawn out of a hat (well, actually an upside-down Parc Fermé cone), and first off was the pairing of Jahid Karim and Julien Darras of Dream Racing. For SuperPrix, you are able to add a second driver, and it was Darras who was in the car ready to set the pace, and he did, holding pole for most of the session with a 2.01.708. Next driver to get close to that was Amir Feyzulin, also of Dream Racing on a 2.02.343. But soon after, Alex Novichkov of Continental Racing pushed his way up to second with a 2.01.866, with the pairing of Vasily Vladykin and Michael Lyons less than 0.1 behind on a 2.01.972. Peri Daremas paid the ultimate price for running track limits, having both his laps deleted. However, his pace was good with a 2.02.371, but he would have to start at the back of the grid.
Drawing the last (and probably most desired spot) from the hat was Harry Hannam for GulfSport Racing. His first lap was a complete flyer on a 2.00.881, so that was it, the pole would go to Hannam, but he was not done, just one more lap! Jaws dropped as he crossed the finish line on a 2.00.219, a new qualifying lap record.
As the teams and drivers prepared for the long 85-minute race, it would be Hannam and Darras on the front row, with Novichkov and Vladykin behind. Pressure was on as the teams had strict pitstop rules to follow and they needed to get fuel in the car, tyres and drivers changed. This was controlled by a minimum of 4m30s in the pits. Timed from the moment they enter the pits to the moment they leave to back on track.
As the race got underway, it was Hannam who made a great start leading the pack out of turn one, with Novichkov right behind. Darras had a poor start and dropped back. By the end of the first lap, Hannam was holding his lead. Daremas, who had started last, was already up to 6th.
There were 35 minutes to run until the pit window would open, and most cars had settled into a bit of a rhythm. Unfortunately, the number 44 car of Volobuiev started to slow down on the main straight into turn 1. Momentarily, it looked like the car was going again, but again stopped at turn 9. This brought out the safety car, and over the next three laps, all drivers got a breather while the car was cleared out of the way.
As racing resumed, Hannam kept his lead, again using his pace to pull a small gap to the chasing Novichkov.
At 35 mins in, the pit window was open, and cars started to dive in. Drivers had to be out of the car while it was being refuelled; once that was done, tyres were changed, then drivers were strapped back in to get back to the race. All went pretty smoothly; however, the pairing of Vladykin and Lyons had been a little keen to get out of the pits and triggered the exit timing loop at 4m28 seconds.
This was 2 seconds under the minimum time. Unfortunately, this would mean a 17-second time penalty for them. A big shame as they were 3rd on the road, but now had Daremas breathing down their neck in 4th behind. Daremas was all over the mirrors of Lyons, eventually making a pass to secure third on the road. Hannam had a safe lead with Novichkov lapping fast in an impressive 2nd, and that was the finishing order at the chequered flag.
Daremas also topped the National class, with Khazzoum in second and Feyzulin in third.
Main Podium - 1st Harry Hannam, 2nd Alex Novichkov & 3rd Peri Daremas
National Class - 1st Peri Daremas, 2nd Johnny Khazzoum & 3rd Amir Feyzulin
A month off now, before round 4 back at the Yas Marina Circuit on January 17th.
