Members and officials of the two QMMF teams celebrate after the 18th Hankook 24H Dubai endurance race.
On a day when Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah clinched a historic Dakar Rally title, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycles Federation (QMMF) was in for a double delight when team QMMF by HRT Thuraya sealed a podium spot in one of the most challenging circuit races in the world – the 18th Hankook 24H Dubai endurance race on Sunday.
While Qatar rally superstar Al Attiyah was crowned champion for the fifth time, Team Thuraya were placed second in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 992 AM class, following a thrilling race-long battle with Huber Motorsports who finished on top of the class.
The No.929 Porsche 911 car, driven by seasoned Qatari drivers Abdulla Ali Al Khelaifi, Ghanim Al Ali, Ibrahim Al Abdulghani and German semi-pro Julian Hanses, completed 590 laps in 24:01:58.319, with an average speed of 132.32kmh.
The team clocked their fastest lap time early in the fourth lap, an impressive 156.91kmh at the 5.39 kilometre race circuit.
Their main rivals in the 992 AM category, Huber Motorsports completed 591 laps in 24:01:23.808, with a top speed of 155.89kmh late into the 24-hour race - in the 568th lap.
QMMF’s second entry, the No.930 Porsche 911 of HRT Suhail Qatar, driven by Abdullah Al Abbasi, Ibrahim Al Mannai, Abdulaziz Al Jabri and Swede Daniel Roos, was also among the 992-AM front-runners in the early stages, though the Porsche was eventually retired after hitting the barriers at turn 14 on Sunday morning.
After two races in the 2023 season, QMMF Thuraya now sits in the second spot in the 992-AM points table, following successive podium wins. They finished third in the same class in Kuwait on December 8. 2022.
Meanwhile, FACH Auto Tech made it a one-two finish for the Swiss teams in the overall Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - 992 podium.
Belgian entrant, Team WRT were crowned overall Hangkook 24-hour winners on its endurance racing debut after surviving a race-long battle with Herberth Motorsport and finishing just 31 seconds ahead of the German team as both cars completed an impressive 621 laps within the time frame.
QMMF Thuraya and Suhail are supported by the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), Porsche Center Doha, Al Buraq Automotive Company and Lusail International Circuit.
Fifty three contenders from 42 teams competed at the Dubai endurance race, the second stop in the Middle East Series of the Hangkook 24 Season.
