38 GT confirmed for Abu Dhabi 12 Hours

It is no longer a surprise that the 12 Hours of Abu Dhabi will mark the last meeting of the Intercontinental GT Challenge on 11 December. After two complicated years due to the pandemic, the event is back on track with a field of 38 GTs (32 GT3s, 6 Porsche Cups).

The list of entrants has evolved over the last few days. WRT (BMW), which will concentrate on a winter test programme, Craft-Bamboo Racing (Mercedes), which is focusing on Macau, and Greystone (McLaren) will be absent from Yas Marina. On the other hand, a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for GetSpeed and a sixth Ferrari 488 GT3 for AF Corse will arrive. The contract with SRO runs for two years. The sporting rules will be based on those of the Abu Dhabi 12 Hours.

The crews and categories of competitors will be known later, as will the GT3s which will score points for the Intercontinental GT Challenge. The promoter is counting on six to eight GT3s in the Pro class, with the rest split equally between Pro-Am and Am.

"Having 38 GTs is the maximum we can do at Yas Marina," race promoter Andrea Ficarelli told medias in a video conference. "Putting more than one fuel tower in each pit is a problem. This year we will not have GT4s or cars from single-make cups."

What is new is the organisation of a 4-hour race on the Dubai Autodrome on Sunday 18 December, one week after the IGTC final. The event, provisionally called Dubai 4 Hour, is completely independent. It will feature GT3, GT4 and Cup cars. Andrea Ficarelli hopes to have 20 to 24 GTs over a two-day meeting. Tyre availability could play a role in the number of cars present.

In both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the TCR Middle East will be supporting the event. The championship will be organised by Driving Force Events.

In January, the Bahrain Pro/Am 1000 will take off at the Bahrain International Circuit in a race reserved for Pro-Am and Am crews.

"The market in the Arabian Peninsula is changing," explains Ficarelli. "In the past, the Abu Dhabi 12 Hours and the Dubai 24 Hours were the only races. Now there are many possibilities. With Bahrain, you get a different range of drivers because the gentlemen have the opportunity to win a race overall. I am sure the event will grow over the years."

Entry List Gulf 12 : 

Attempto Racing (Audi)

Attempto Racing (Audi)

Saintéloc Racing (Audi)

Saintéloc Racing (Audi)

Century Motorsport (BMW)

AF Corse (Ferrar)

AF Corse (Ferrari)

AF Corse (Ferrari)

AF Corse (Ferrari)

AF Corse (Ferrari)

MDK Motorsports (Ferrari) 

Baron Motorsport (Ferrari)

Kessel Racing (Ferrari)

Kessel Racing (Ferrari)

Kessel Racing (Ferrari)

Kessel Racing (Ferrari)

Garage 59 (McLaren)

Garage 59 (McLaren)

Optimum Motorsport (McLaren)

2 Seas Motorsport (Mercedes)

2 Seas Motorsport (Mercedes)

GetSpeed (Mercedes)

GruppeM (Mercedes)

GruppeM (Mercedes)

MP Motorsport (Mercedes)

SPS automotive-performance (Mercedes)

SunEnergy1 by SPS (Mercedes)

RAM Racing (Mercedes)

Earl Bamber Motorport (Porsche)

Herberth Motorsport (Porsche)

Herberth Motorsport (Porsche)

Saaolcin Racing (Porsche)

Centro Porsche Ticino (Porsche Cup)

Racevent (Porsche Cup)

Speedlover (Porsche Cup)

Speedlover (Porsche Cup)

Toro Verde (Porsche Cup)

Toro Verde (Porsche Cup)