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News Archive » FIA GT: Dubai November 11, 2006 The Scuderia Ecosse team heads off to the Middle East this week for the FIA GT Championship season-closer at the Dubai Autodrome. After an incredibly busy year which has seen the team compete in 24 races, including two 24-hour events, the Scottish team is aiming to finish the season on a high with a top result in Dubai. The team will run a different driver line-up this weekend. Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen will drive the no.63 Ferrari, and Marino Franchitti will join Nathan Kinch in the no.62 car for this race. Andrew Kirkaldy has other commitments this weekend and, now the Championship is out of reach for Kinch and Kirkaldy, Andrew can miss the race without it affecting Championship positions. Chris Niarchos: “I’m looking forward to Dubai as, now Tim and I have won the British GT Championship, the pressure is off. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Tim has a shot at moving up a place in the Driver’s Championship, past (Mika) Salo and (Rui) Aguas, so we’ll be out there to do all we can to help him do that. I think it’s going to be a great event and I hope we can end the season on a high before we start our preparations for 2007.” Tim Mullen: “I’ve never been to Dubai and I really enjoy going to new places so this should be a fun one. We need to stay focused and bag as many points as we can to try and get past the no. 59 Ferrari in the standings. Then it’s time for a holiday!” Nathan Kinch: “I think this will be a good event for us; the track will suit the car and the facilities are great at Dubai. It will be nice to have some hot weather and the last race was ages ago so it will be good to get back behind the wheel!” Marino Franchitti: “I’m really pleased to be driving for Stewart (Roden) again as I’ve enjoyed being with the team on-and-off this year. Nathan and I get on really well so it’s good to be back with him. The Scuderia Ecosse Ferraris are beautifully-prepared cars and, along with the Michelin tyres, they are a pleasure to drive so we should be up for a good result in Dubai.” Stewart Roden, Scuderia Ecosse Team Principal: “The Dubai track will suit us so we’re hoping for a good result there. The circuit has a very low grip surface because of the sand but Michelin have done a fantastic job for us this year so we’re not concerned about that. The Ferraris have gone well everywhere this year so it’s pretty safe to say we’ll be up at the front in Dubai.” Round 10 of the 2006 FIA GT Championship is a two-day event with the three-hour race starting at 2.30pm local time (10.30am UK time) on Saturday. ENDS |
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