Works BMW Motorsport driver Augusto Farfus helped Team Schubert to glory in the Dubai 24 Hour – the first major circuit race of the year.
Farfus, who had only been a late replacement call-up into the team, won the race alongside Claudia Hurtgen, Edward Sandstrom and Tommy Milner in the no. 76 Need For Speed-liveried BMW Z4 GT3.
Hurtgen took the checkered flag with a three-lap lead over the AF Corse Ferrari, which finished a lap ahead of the third-placed Black Falcon Mercedes SLS AMG GT3. The sister Schubert car of Bill Auberlen, Boris Said, Matt Plumb and Paul Dalla Lana finished in fifth.
“Everyone in the team gave everything – and we were rewarded with the win today,” said Farfus. “This race is completely different to the Nürburgring 24 Hours, which I also won with Team BMW Motorsport in 2010. However, I must say, Dubai is very special. The atmosphere is fantastic and the drivers all support one another. I really, really enjoyed myself.”
“Our tactics worked perfectly,” added Schubert Team Manager Stefan Wendl. “At the start of the race we were able to develop a two-lap lead with car number 76, which we then had to maintain without putting too much strain on the material or taking any risks. Some fortunate circumstances meant we were able to pull even further ahead and ultimately wrap up the victory. That is our first big victory at a 24-hour race and a great reward for everyone in the team.”
The victory is BMW's third in the Dubai 24 Hour race. Duller Motorsport won the inaugural event in 2007 with an M3 CSL before retaining the crown in 2008 with a Z4 Coupe.