MINI Takes its Class at the 24 Hours of Dubai

[Official Release from MINI Motorsports] The opposition had no chance against the MINI of the Besaplast Racing Team, which dominated its class from the world go at the 24 Hours of Dubai.

The Caisley International team, which assembled and ran a MINI based on the MINI John Cooper Works Challenge for the Besaplast Racing Team at the 24 Hours of Dubai, left the opposition in the fiercely competitive A2 class in its wake on its way to claiming a sensational triumph. The driving line-up of Cora Schumacher, Franjo Kovac, Martin Tschornia, Reinhard Nehls and Fredrik Lestrup impressed from the very first practice session with the MINI.

The MINI showed what it was capable of in qualifying: Martin Tschornia and Fredrik Lestrup clinched a superb pole position to lay the foundations for the victory. The team continued to dominate after the start of the race, with Martin Tschornia extending the lead lap by lap. Even the tricky conditions, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees and up to 70 degrees in the cockpit, were unable to stop the Besaplast Racing Team and its MINI. Franjo Kovac and Cora Schumacher remained extremely focussed and error-free as they accelerated away from their rivals.

As darkness set in, Fredrik Lestrup climbed behind the wheel and promptly set about clocking one fastest lap after another. Even a collision during an overtaking manoeuvre, which forced the MINI into the pits for repairs to the front suspension, and a cracked brake calliper that resulted in an 18-minute pit stop and a temporary loss of the lead, could not stop the Besaplast Racing Team.

The end of the race was a tense affair, as the team strived to make up three laps on the leaders following the unscheduled pit stops. Martin Tschornia and Fredrik Lestrup really put their foot down and ultimately opened up a two-lap lead. After the final pit stop it was the turn of Franjo Kovac behind the wheel of the Besaplast MINI on the anchor leg. Kovac extended the lead before crossing the finish line in first place. The sensation was complete.

Congratulations to the Besaplast Racing Team on this fantastic victory.