Dubai 24Hrs 2012. On The Grid With…

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A whistle has just sounded over my left shoulder. It’s ten minutes until go time, and shepherding spectators and media off the grid before each car fires into life is something of a challenge for the marshals.

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“Clear the grid please” uttered at high volume, I was expecting. A green rope stretched across the track moving towards us, I was not.

As I turn on my heel to make myself scarce, fortune drops World Touring Car Championship race winner Jorg Muller and European GT3 race winner Edward Sandstrom at my door. I’m keen to hear their thoughts on competing so close to the start. But the green rope is fast closing down on me, so I’d best get cracking.

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So, Edward…

“I think everything is sorted. We did warm-up and everything works at least! But we have to be careful at the beginning to avoid uncertainties. But Claudia [Huertgen] always starts, and she’s very experienced, so I’m sure we’ll be fine.

“Having the press and media on the grid, for me, is a lot of fun! I enjoy it. It’s good for the sport and for everyone competing. I think we can handle it.

“The main thing about the race, though. You have to trust the others, but you have to be clever. That’s the main thing.”

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And Jorg…

“I’ve done hundreds of endurance races. Every year I do Nurburgring and Le Mans, but it’s my first one in Dubai.

I’m not starting, so I’m not very nervous! But normally if I start, I can get very wet hands! That doesn’t change no matter how many you do.

“But the car runs fantastically and everyone at the team is very happy. Unfortunately, now it’s just down us! It’s going to be tough.”

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The orange vested official standing at my shoulder gives me my cue to exit. At least the green rope seems to have disappeared >>>

Shots by Pete West