With the teams setting up for the weekend ahead, some drivers were taking advantage of the extra testing offered by Dragon Wednesday. With three hours on track it presented to a great opportunity to add to the 5 hours of track time offered across the official sessions over the weekend.

Unfortunately news had filtered through that newcomer Steve Adams had to make an emergency trip back to the Australia so was with withdrawing from the event.

The three hour open pitlane started around 1300 with all drivers taking to the track, unfortunately newcomer Mohamed AL Kazemi had accident braking into Turn 8, with damage rendering the car out of action for the whole weekend.

Going into Friday it was time for Q1 and Q2, these sessions only 15 minutes long and minutes apart. Designed to set the grid for Race and 1 and 2 respectively, its a short blast to see what the driver can produce!

Q1 saw reigning Champion Jani Hjerppe setting the pace with a 2:17.593 for the Pole, followed by team mate Yousaf and a great lap from Feyzulin for third, his best showing yet. Amir has spent most of the summer competing in the UK series, and clearly put that time to good use, with his impressive pace this weekend.

Unfortunately Cush had a spin under the hotel, ending up on the exit kurb of turn 19. With the yellow flags coming out a little slow, only seconds after Cush came to rest Shahin came through on a hot lap and could do nothing to avoid heavy contact with Cush. Shahin was able to make it back to the pits for a side pod change, but Cush sustained more damage resulting in the car missing Q2 while the team worked to replace the front end.

Q2 started only 15 minutes later and it was the chance for the two driver pairings to show what they had.

This time it was Sean Simpson setting the pace, however after post qualifying scrutineering the car was presented underweight, meaning Simpson had all his times removed, resulting in a pit lane start for race 2. James Edmeades’s lap of 2.18.717 took the pole in the end.

Race 1 started a few hours later, and it was Hjerppe who took the lead with Feyzulin in second and Yousaf third. Mughal made a bad start dropping to the back with newcomer Francis, both had some work to do to get past Cush and catch up with another newcomer Khazzoum.

After the pit stops Hjerppe handed the car to Mantylla in the lead but with the great pace of Shahin and Simpson they eventually took the lead it was a Dream Racing 1, 2, 3!

Race 2 started the following day with Race 1 winner Simpson lining up in the pit lane following his weight infringement from Q2, however he was determined and all eyes were on him at the start. He lined up behind Neil Clark who also was starting from the pitlane as a result of missing Q2 while is car was being repaired following his team mates accident in Q1.

As the field went through turn 1, its was Mughal who had made a flying start getting to third place, however disaster struck when he had to pull his car over due to an electrical fault. Simpson was also on a charge setting fastest times while he caught up to the back of the field, he had actually got to 5th place before the pit window opened. Due to the R1 success all the three Dream racing cars had pit stop time penalties, however with Simpsons pace it looked liked a podium was still on the cards. As he handed the car to his team mate it was left Yousaf to see where he could get too, and he wasted no time pursuing the leaders.

Shahin was also on a charge out of the pits, taking Roberts, and then Curtis. Yousaf was taking about a second a lap out of Roberts and got past him for fourth with one lap to go. So it was the pairing of Hjerppe and Mantyla across the line first, followed by Shahin and Curtis for third.

However after reports from track observers and race control cars 26 (Yousaf/Simpson), 96 (Francis), and 24 (Shahin) were all given 3 place penalty for crossing the very important pit exit line, which they crossed, Shahin was subsequently excluded from the race, That left Curtis being promoted to 2nd and Roberts taking 3rd, all important points for the year ahead.

Reflecting on a great first ever race weekend for Johnny Khazzoum he added:

“It was a great experience being the first race I’ve ever done after many trackdays. It was very challenging and for sure made me more focused on upcoming races. Great organisation and environment. I think this is the closest someone can get to an F1 race feel, Gulf Radical Cup lets you achieve that dream!”

Click here for full results book.

Click here for current standings.

The next race is in three weeks at the Dubai Autodrome on the 22nd November.