Two-time winner Khalid Al Qubaisi will headline the local challenge when the 11th edition of the Hankook 24H Dubai is flagged off this Friday at 14:00.

The region’s premier endurance race will feature a strong contingent of UAE-based drivers and teams, all aiming for success on
home soil.

Qubaisi is targeting a hat-trick of wins with the formidable Abu Dhabi Racing Black Falcon team, sharing driving duties with Germany’s Hubert Haupt and Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen in the premier A6 Class.

Al Qubaisi, who will be driving the new AMG GT3 race car, said: “Dubai 24H is a very special race and requires a completely different
approach and set of skills from other endurance races, but we will be looking to repeat our wins from 2012 and 2013.”

Saeed Al Mehairi and Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, who developed their careers through the Dubai Kartdrome and Autodrome, will be on the grid in the Lechner Racing Middle East Porsche 991, and will be joined by fellow Emirati Basher Mardini along with German Sven Muller and Dutchman Jaap van Lingen to tackle the 991 Class.

Dubai Autodrome-based Dragon Racing field two Ferrari 458 Italias in the A2 Class. One is led by Rob Barff and includes UAE champion Jordan Grogor, Frederic Fatien along with Swiss drivers Taziano Canugati and Gino Forgione.

The sister Dragon Racing Ferrari will feature 2014 24H Dubai class winner Khaled Al Mudhaf from Kuwait, Alex Kapadia, John Hartshomeand Matt Griffith.