Abu Dhabi: Members of the media got a taste of GT1 racing when they were given a couple of laps at the Yas Marina Circuit yesterday morning as Abu Dhabi began preparations to kick start another world championship.
Sitting next to an aspiring world rally driver in an Aston Martin with speeds touching nearly 240km/h on the straight of the Formula One strip at the Yas Marina Circuit, did get the adrenalin pumping. However 30 minutes after the hot laps the media were back to ground zero as the final laps of the Malaysian Grand Prix unfolded.
Top cars
The hot laps were held ahead of the first round of the new FIA GT1 World Championship series here at the Yas Marina Circuit April 16 and 17 when six of the world's top sportscar marques — Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, Lamborghini, Maserati and Nissan — will be seen in action.
Twenty-four cars will take part in the opening round of the GT1 series, driven by 48 of the world's leading sports car drivers as the championship starting here in Abu Dhabi will visit four continents before finishing at the San Luis circuit in Argentina in December.
"This FIA GT1 event is the first race in a brand-new and exciting series that yet again focuses world attention on Yas Marina Circuit and Abu Dhabi," said Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit.
"It will build on the enormous success of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last November, the GP2 Asia Series and Australian V8 supercars event in February, and the Yas Drag Racing Festival just two weeks ago.
"We expect high levels of public interest from across the GCC region, one of the leading centres of sports car ownership in the world. These are highly tuned versions of the cars that people drive every day on the streets of the UAE."
The GT1 series introduces several features designed to create the closest possible racing.
First, every car must have two drivers. Secondly, there is a mandatory pit stop in the middle of each one-hour race for a change of driver and tyres.
Thirdly, all cars are subjected to the FIA Balance of Performance test to equalise the performance of the different brands as much as possible.
Finally, extra weight or "success ballast" is added or removed from the cars depending on their performance in the qualifying race.
"This all means that the cars compete with equal performance, which will help create a tremendous show for spectators," Cregan said.
The GT1 weekend will also feature a round of the Cytech UAE Touring Car Championship and a full range of family-focused entertainment.
General admission is Dh50 per day. Majlis tickets cost Dh250 per day and Paddock Club tickets cost Dh1000 for the two days.
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