The final event of the 2025/26 Gulf Radical Cup got underway over the weekend at the Dubai Autodrome.
Despite the regional issues most drivers were ready to take to the track for the important final event. Both main Championship and National Class Championship were up for grabs.
However, the weather had other plans. While testing on Thursday, the second day of testing and Qualifying sessions on Friday had to be cancelled due to heavy rain and parts of the track being flooded. This meant a busy two day schedule was put together to get the season finished.
Given the postponement of Round 6, Qualifying and two races still had to be run in addition to the full Round 7 schedule.
Series leader Harry Hannam was able to put his GulfSport Racing SR3 XXR on Sprint race pole with a convincing 1:40.258, with his series rival Alex Novichkov in second, and Vasily Vladykin, both run by Continental Racing on third.
Following on just 5 minutes later was Enduro Qualifying, and again Hannam was able to take the pole, from Bukhantsov in second and Novichkov in third.
Race 1 got underway, this was actually Sprint Race 2 of Round 6. It was Hannam that got away well to take the lead, but making a great start also was Khazzoum who was up to third. As the cars raced off down the back straight in to turn ten the pack was close, with various drivers jostling for position. Unfortunately Khazzoum spun, and was collected by Geshev. It was a fairly hard impact and left the cars stranded, brining out the safety car.
After a couple laps we were back racing. Hannam and Novichkov got away well, which left Vladykin and Bukhantsov fighting for third. At times it got a little too close between the team mates leaving the stewards to hand down a penalty to Vladykin after the race.
Hannam was consistently fast and was able to build a decent 8 second gap ahead of Novichkov over the line.
Next up, the missed Enduro race from Round 6. This was going to be interesting as Hannam was on the Pole but had to serve 55 seconds in the pitstop, given his third place last time out at Yas. It was Geshev who took that victory on his return to the GRC and he would have to serve the full 65 seconds. But as the race drew closer it became clear that his car would not be ready from the previous race incident which caused Alim to not be able to take the start.
So, again as the race got going it was Hannam in the lead, working his hardest to build a gap over Bukhantsov in second, hopefully enough to counter the pit stop penalty - Bukhantsov had none!
But as the pitstop window opened, Hannam got tangled when passing Chachava who had just come out from his pit stop. Forcing Hannam wide, it meant that Bukhantsov closed in, and got great drive down the back straight making an incredible pass for the lead in to turn 10. Both drivers then pitted, with shocked faces from all to see Bukhantsov leading into the pitlane.
Both cars got away well from the pit lane, but of course for Hannam 10 seconds after Bukhantsov. With only a handful of laps to go the race was on.
Further down the pack Khazzoum and Alfonsi were having a good battle. Also coming in at the same time Alfonsi lead in to the pits, but with a slower get away, Khazzoum shot past (well only just, as the cars went side by side down the pit lane, with Alfonsi having to yield right at the exit).
Hannam was making progress on Bukhantsov, at a rate of about 0.7 seconds a lap. But it just wasn't enough. Bukhantsov took the win 1.593 seconds ahead of Hannam in second and Vladykin in third. Feyzulin took another crucial win in the National class in his effort to secure that title this season.
However, in post race scrutineering Hannam weighed in just under 1kg below the weight limit of car and driver. This meant instant disqualification from the race! Not good for the championship campaign.
So that was Round 6 done. The next day would see all three races of the final round 7, and double points. All still to play for…!
The times from Saturdays qually sessions were used to form the grid for Sprint Race 1 and 2.
Both races started in a similar fashion with Vladykin making a great start, leaving Hannam to chase and try to retake the lead. Vladykin is a very experienced (Silver FIA Grade) GT3 driver, so racing was close, but Hannam managed to pass to take the lead and win for both races. Also Feyzulin improving on his so far perfect weekend.
So going into the final race of the season both Hannam and Feyzulin had almost done enough, but both needed to finish ahead of their rivals to claim the title.
Again Vladylin made a great start ahead of Hannam in the lead. Hannam spent the next couple of laps cautiously putting pressure on the lead car to hopefully force an error or find a way past - knowing he needed have a clean race to take the championship. On lap 4 he was able to pass, leaving vladykin to defend from Bukhantsov in third. Again the pairing where a little too close leaving Bukhantsov with a puncture and having to make an early pit stop.
Hannam made a clear pit stop and continued on in the lead. Feyzulin was also having a great race to take his class win.
Hannams closest rival for the title was Novichkov, he at the end finished third, behind Geshev in Second.
What an incredible way to end the season, 1 day of testing, 2 days of racing, 3 qualyfing sessions and 5 races, an impressive feat for the Drivers and Teams to contend.
