Double win for Roberts, but Drama for All!
What only felt like days, but was actually three weeks, and we were back at the Dubai Autodrome for Round 3 and 4 of the Gulf Radical Cup.
Again, a handful of drivers took advantage of the extensive test time offered on both Wednesday and Thursday. So, after the last test on Thursday afternoon, on what seemed like a greasy, hot track it was Alex Khateeb again topping the time sheets, but with last races surprise winner Tarik Kerbouci only 0.05 behind him on a 2.05.756. However, they and the other drivers had gone faster in morning practice, so it was expected to see some quick times in Q1 tomorrow.
Overnight a fog had formed, but just before Q1 started it had cleared, leaving a cool, heavy air, the type of air that these high revving RPE race engines love.
Q1 got underway, and as always all drivers were on new, un-scrubbed tyres, so it would see the fastest laps come right at the end, and that it did, with 9 of the 11 drivers posting their fastest times on the last lap. Khateeb was on an absolute flyer with a 2.02.731, the only driver to post a time on the 02’s, really impressive! But bunched up behind and only covered by 2.8 seconds was the rest of the field, led by Tarik Kerbouci on a 2.03.888, his team were thrilled, but Tarik was not, desperate to take it to the more experienced Khateeb. In third was was the flying UAE racer Al Hameedi, another very quick newcomer. Down in 5th was Roberts, after a communication error meant he came in two laps early, but Ian would have his day!
As normal Q2 starts just 10 minutes from the end of Q1, and the whole field rolls out again. Khateeb drops in a blistering 1.02.615, but it's Roberts to join him on the front row this time, with a PB of a 1.03.808 and Kerbouci just 0.057 behind him on a 1.03.865. Alhameedi is there again in 4th and Marcus Bamberg finding some pace for a great 5th.
The only new comer to the grid this time is the young Kuwaiti Mohammed Al Kazeemi, he had limited testing the day before, but posted a time more than 3 seconds faster than his best the previous day in testing!
All cars passed post qualifying technical scrutineering (checking such things as ride height and weight)
So at the start it was Khateeb away well with Kerbouci right behind him, they stayed inches apart all the way in to turn 1, with contact Kerbouci was forced off the track and dropped way down to 5th. Behind them more action was unfolding as Johnny Khazzoum and Ian Roberts came tougher, with the result of Roberts being sent into a spin. As Roberts went round he clipped the number 5 car of Curtis damaging his rear wing.
Going in to the very quick turn 3 at 190kph the SR3’s are very reliant on the downforce generated by the car, especially the large bi-plane rear wing. Curtis was about to prove this as he unknowingly went through turn 3 with this rear wing damaged. This resulted in the car spinning and making hard contact with the wall. He was ok, but he car was heavily damaged and marooned in the middle of the track.
Meanwhile the leaders were passing turn 10, and as they came through turn 11 the Marshalls deployed the safety car boards to allow the recovery team to go get Curits’s car. But not all the drivers had seen the yellow flags and boards and continued to race for a few more corners, causing James Sweetnam to run into the back of Marcus Bamberg, now there were two stricken cars at either end of the track.
It took three laps to remove the stranded cars and racing could restart, Khateeb assumed a commanding lead again with Roberts chasing him down. Kerbouci who had been overtaken by 4 cars under yellow flags was working his way back up before the pit window opened. Both Roberts and Kerbouci were ordered in by their team in the hope to get them back out in clear air. But Kerbouci was carrying a 15 second successes penalty from his last race win a few weeks ago, and he dropped back down the order.
Abdulnasser Alhameedi was on a charge, but the pace of Roberts this weekend was just too much to allow him to get close enough to make a move.
As the cars crossed the line it was Khateeb in first, Roberts second and Alhameedi in third, but the drama as far from over. In an unprecedented move the stewards took a decision to disqualify 5 drivers they felt had ignored the yellow flags and safety car order, also feeling the wrath of the stewards was Khateeb, he was handed a 10 second penalty for forcing Kerbouci off the track at the start. Khateeb had finished 9.844 seconds ahead of Roberts on the road, thus handing the victory to Roberts. Also Khazzoum was also handed a 10 second penalty for contact with Roberts at the start of the race.
While Roberts was pleased of course to take victory it did mean that he now had the maximum 15 seconds added to his pitstop time, and Khateeb only 10, surly this was Khateebs race, especially as Kerbouci had withdrawn from the second race!
However, Roberts got the jump and lead in to turn 1, with Khateeb and Alhameedi hot on his heels. Thru turn 11 and into 12 Khateb was able to take the lead from Roberts.
Meanwhile there was a train of cars lead by Bamburg from Al Shehab, Sweetham, Khazzoum and Al Kazeemi.
But on lap 5 Al Shehab was shown the Drive Thru penalty board for being out of position at the start, he served this the next lap, sending him right to the back.
As the pitstops approached, disaster struck from Al Hameedi as he dropped back off the time sheets with an issue with his car, and Al Shehab left the pits slowly, eventually coming to a halt with a broken throttle cable!
Khateeb and Roberts were back out in front with Khateeb controlling a comfortable 5 second gap, however Roberts has shown he is a very consistent driver and a slip up from Khateeb would see him loose the lead!
But, luck proved not to be on Khateebs side again, as his car cut out coming out of turn 16, meaning Roberts took the lead. For the remainder of the race it was clear that Khateeb had an issue, while he was still running it wasn’t at enough to get back at Roberts who made no mistakes!
Meanwhile Al Kazeemi was really finding his feet passing Khazzoum and Bamburg, but maybe all the excitement was getting too much as he ran wide into turn 14 undoing all the hard work he had just put in!
However AL Kazeemi had a great weekend and he commented:
“I had an amazing weekend and have been waiting for this opportunity for years and finally got the chance. Its a great way to start my racing career, thank you Gulf Radical Cup for the amazing organisation looking forward for many more!!”
Keeping himself out of trouble and continuing to drive consistently was Amir Feyzulin, he was rewarded with a well deserved third place!
But it was Roberts who took the honours and a great double win! This means that Roberts now leads the series from Khateeb in second by just 2 points, and then Amir Feyzulin in third.
Some time off now, but racing will resume in January 2021
