HILLSBOROUGH’S Dan Harper returns to action at the Dubai 24 Hours this weekend and has hailed the race as the “perfect way” to get back up to speed for another congested season.
Harper forms a four-man line-up for Al Manar Racing for the twentieth running of the Michelin-sponsored contest, which has secured a 65-car line-up across all classes for Saturday’s race.
Run by Team WRT, Harper is sharing the number 777 BMW M4 GT3 Evo with Al Faisal Al Zubair, Max Hesse, Ben Tuck and Darren Leung with whom he won the British GT3 title back in 2023.
The around-the-clock event at Dubai Autodrome – which had to be postponed twelve months ago as a result of logistical issues – comes less than six weeks since Harper last competed.
However, having had time to reflect on one of his busiest campaigns to date that involved the 24-year-old starting a total of 17 races in 10 countries, he is feeling rested and refreshed.
“I am really looking forward to getting the new season underway nice and early in the year,” said Harper, who has vast experience of the German car having campaigned it extensively at venues around Britain and Europe and, only last month, at the Saudi Arabian Jeddah Street circuit.
“The Dubai 24 Hours is a fantastic event and the perfect way to get back up to speed for the year ahead. It is an exciting new collaboration between Team WRT and Al Manar Racing, and it is great to be part of their first event together,” continued Harper.
“We have got a great driver line-up – I am already looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together this weekend.”
Harper and his co-driving team-mates make up a bumper GT3 entry that includes a Porsche GT3R run by Huber Racing which double World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanpera is going to share.
The Finn, who was in action at the Killarney International Rally in November and begins his quest for a third WRC title at Rallye Monte-Carlo in a fortnight with Toyota Gazoo Racing, is taking the next step in his circuit racing career having triumphed in three Porsche Carrera Cup races in 2024.
Competition will also come from the 2023/2024 Middle East Trophy Champions Manamauri Energy by Ebimotors (Porsche 911 GT3 R), while Climax Racing, Team Motopark, SMP Racing and Haupt Racing are all campaigning identical versions of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO car.
Qualifying will get underway on Friday from 10.25am UK time for the support classes before the focus turns to GT3 when the 55-minute session to determine the grid starts at 1.05pm. Saturday’s race is pencilled in for a 9am start (UK time).