Round 1 of the 2023/24 Gulf Radical Cup got underway at the famous Formula 1 circuit of Yas Marina this weekend.
Most teams and drivers are at the track from Thursday onwards, starting the event with a three hour open pitlane test (Dragon Test Days). But this was bizarrely cut short because of a freak storm, high winds and a drenched track, meaning three hours were cut to just one.
However, the following morning (Friday), the sun was out and the un-seasonal rain had gone. The day started with three hours of ‘untimed’ practice, then the 30 minute official practice shortly after.
Topping the time sheets was Usmaan Mughal of Relentless Racing, but with reigning champion Alex Bukhantsov not taking part in that session, it was expected for him to be pushing for that top spot the following morning.
This season, as always sees new drivers and cars, with 4 new faces on the grid, two of which would be taking part in their first ever car race.
Saturday morning was Sprint Qualifying. Here the drivers need to set two fast laps, the first to set the grid for Sprint Race 1, and the next fastest lap to set the grid for Sprint Race 2. Alex Bukhantsov was able to take the first Pole of the year with a 1:59.235, with Johnny Khazzoum taking second in his new SR3 XXR, and Usmaan Mughal in third.
A short while later Sprint Race 1 got underway, Mughal had made a great start and slipped in to the lead at turn 1, with Bukhantsov close behind him. But as the cars streamed into the hotel complex it all got a bit too close in the mid pack, and Zig Fuhrmeister was squeezed to the curb, resulting in a spin and clipping the barrier. His car was left stranded in the middle of the track, unable to get going again. This meant the safety car had to be deployed while the car was removed from the circuit. After a couple of laps the stricken car was out the way and racing could resume. Mughal kept his lead despite and challenge from Bukhantsov around the outside of turn nine, with Alim Geshev and Amir Feyzulin in hot pursuit.
A couple of laps later Bukhantsov was able to sneak past to take the lead, putting Mughal back to second. However he would not hold that for long and on the timing screens a message was posted from race control saying that the Safety Car restart was being investigated, a few laps later a Drive Through Penalty was handed to Mughal, certainly taking him out of contention, but promoting Geshev and Feyzulin to podium positions. This is where it stayed until the end of the race.
A few hours later was Sprint Race 2. Again starting from the Pole, Bukhantsov took the lead. Mughal was in second with Geshev in third. As the race progressed newcomer Jimmy Chou was pushing hard and fast, as was Geshev, who was on the tail of Mughal in the closing laps. As he made the move to take second place into turn 6, Geshev overshot, and spinning onto the run off area, allowing Jimmy Chou through. Geshev got going again, and was able to keep 4th, followed by Feyzulin and Monie.
The following day was Enduro day, with qualifying up first.
Again Bukhantsov impressed with another pole. However the gap was now closer, with Geshev taking second only 0.09 behind, third was Khazzoum 0.2 behind that. Then only 0.9 seconds covering the next 9 drivers. A close race ahead was expected.
The Enduro is a 45 minute race, with a mandatory 45 second pitstop. As the cars took the start it was very tight in to turn 1, Bukhantsov squeezed Geshev to take the lead on the first lap. Opening up an initial gap, Mughal was able to close a bit keeping in touch with the leader. Some contact at turn 9 had seen some debris strewn across the track, forcing the race director to deploy the safety car, to allow marshals to clear the way. They did this very quickly and the safety car was withdrawn, but at the same moment the pit stop window was opened. Signalling the start of pit stops.
Some chose to pit immediately, some chose to run a couple extra laps. But the front three would all come in together, nose to tail. That was Bukhantsov, followed by Mughal, followed by Holme in third. All pit stops were clean and no advantages were taken. Now it was just a race to the finish. However, a message came across the screen that Mark Holme was to have a 5 second penalty for gaining an “off track advantage”, and with Jimmy Chou setting some fast laps from 4th place, it was going to be tight at the end.
As the chequered flag came out, it was Bukhantsov first, Mughal second and Holme third. But after the time penalty correction for Holme, Chou would be promoted to 3rd. However, that was not the end of action. In post race scrutineering the wining car was presented underweight, thus resulting in a disqualification, promoting Mughal to the winning spot. In addition to this Chou was also given a 5 second penalty for contact during the race. This pushed Holme to second and put Chou back to third.
Just a two week gap, until the next round at the Dubai Autodrome.
