Original Source: www.endurance-info.com
As the world of endurance racing draws closer to a thrilling new chapter in Saudi Arabia, the GT World Challenge Europe brings together elite teams and their high-performance machinery at the Jeddah circuit. This year signifies the inaugural event in Jeddah, promising a fresh and exhilarating atmosphere for teams and fans alike. With competitors facing off in a battle of speed and strategy, teams like ROWE Racing deal with the unforeseen challenges that can arise in motorsport, while others, like Comtoyou Racing, aim to reclaim their past glory from previous races. The article captures the excitement and intensity surrounding this milestone event, highlighting key information about team preparations, strategies, and the evolving dynamics of race-day logistics.
The anticipation is palpable as motorsport teams gather for the GT World Challenge Europe event at the stunning Jeddah circuit, a spectacle in the heart of Saudi Arabia. ROWE Racing, however, comes with a shadow of disappointment, as their BMW M4 GT3 98 will not grace the track due to damages incurred during an unfortunate incident at Monza. Maxime Oosten’s perilous moment in testing left the vehicle unfit for the journey to this exotic race location, marking a bittersweet note for fans of the team.
History favours Comtoyou Racing, who previously triumphed in Saudi Arabia during the 2022 FIA WTCR, where Nathanaël Berthon took the win in an Audi RS 3 LMS TCR. The esteemed 3450-metre Jeddah circuit is set to witness fierce competition, but fans will be thrilled to learn that Ferrari’s Vincent Abril will be back in his familiar 296 GT3 71, having stepped in for Davide Rigon previously.
As teams adjust and strategise, the Balance of Performance (BoP) remains a crucial topic. This year marks a new chapter as the championship makes its debut in Jeddah. According to the latest BoP allocations from Monza, Aston Martin’s performance has remained untouched while Audi faces an increase of 25 kg, adding an intriguing layer of complexity to the race. Currently leading the overall standings is Mercedes-AMG, a strong contender with 19,924 points as they gear up for the showdown.
With the race taking place on Saturday, logistics are in full swing to ensure teams are ready and racing. The departure of containers begins the following Sunday, with Saintéloc Racing being the last to leave, sending their two Audi R8 LMS GT3s to the UAE for the upcoming Gulf 12H. Speculations on fuel pit stops reveal a set time of 44 seconds to refuel, allowing teams to juggle strategy effectively during this six-hour endurance challenge.
In an unusual twist, nine sets of brand-new Pirelli tyres are permitted for this meeting, ensuring teams can maintain peak performance. Intriguingly, during the race, competitors are not obligated to switch out drivers or tyres at every pit stop. Reflecting on SRO’s rich heritage, it’s noted that 20 years ago, they were introducing the exhilarating Bahrain GT Festival, drawing parallels to the vibrant atmosphere and competitive spirit currently breathing life into Jeddah.
Simultaneously, the enduring allure of motorsport extends beyond the races, with Charles Pozzi showcasing a new Ferrari 296 GT3 on sale for a staggering €851,000. Separately, Madpanda Motorsport parts ways with its Mercedes-AMG GT3 for a savvy €499,000, while Gradient Racing offers an Acura NSX GT3 EVO2 for €275,000, painting a vivid picture of the thriving marketplace amidst the backdrop of racing excitement.
