Dubai Thursday Notebook

***A host of additions have been made to the entry list for this weekend’s 21st Michelin 24H Dubai, and one of those extra drivers was among the stars during unofficial Thursday testing as Oliver Goethe set the second-fastest time in the morning session.

***FIA Formula 2 competitor Goethe has been drafted into the Dragon Racing lineup for its No. 88 Ferrari 296 GT3 as he makes a return to sports cars having tackled this event two years ago with Dragon in an entry that also included his brother Benjamin (now driving an Optimum McLaren 720S GT3 Evo) and father Roald.

***The fastest time of Thursday was set by Jules Gounon during the morning session, posting a 1:57.106 early in the day’s running at the wheel of the No. 4 Grove Racing by Getspeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. RESULTS: Morning test/Afternoon test

***Another driver to recently join the entry list is NLS competitor Harley Haughton, who is making his GT3 race debut with Enrico Fulgenzi Racing at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 R alongside team owner Fulgenzi, Alessandro Giannone and Andrea Girondi. Haughton claimed the Cup 3 title in the NLS last year and his performance resulted in a test in the 911 GT3 R at the Red Bull Ring.

***Haughton said: “The weekend will be all about adapting and finding as much speed as possible whilst learning more about the 911 GT3 R and set-up. It’s a very strong driver line-up and so a Pro-Am class win has to be the target but anything can happen as we know.”

***Another tweak to the lineup for the 24H Series contest is for the No. 89 Lionspeed Porsche. New Genesis Hypercar driver Mathys Jaubert was already due to be competing in the 992 class for SebLajoux Racing, but he is now also contesting the overall GT3 division with Lionspeed. Meanwhile, one of the squad’s regular drivers, Gabriel Rindone, has replaced team owner Patrick Kolb in the roster.

***Despite the addition of a second Paradine BMW M4 GT3 EVO, the total number of entries among the top GT3 class has remained at 33. Sainteloc Racing was originally due to be running two Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo IIs, but has now slimmed down to a solitary car.

***Even at this late stage, further changes to the final list are still possible. For example, the Circuit Toys squad tested several potential drivers during Thursday’s unofficial sessions that could join the driver lineup for its Toyota GR Supra GT4. Among these was Harri Reynolds, who has previously raced with Circuit Toys driver Rhys Lloyd and has a diverse motorsport CV that also includes single-seater victories and historic rallying.

***Official track action begins on Friday with a two-hour morning practice session at 10:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET), before qualifying starts after lunch at 1:45 p.m.

***This is split up into three different categories with each having three individual 15-minute sessions. GT3 competitors get proceedings under way, followed by 992 drivers and then the remaining classes. A 25-minute top 10 shootout is subsequently scheduled for 5:20 p.m. (8:20 a.m. ET).

***All of this will be live-streamed on Creventic’s YouTube channel with commentary from Radio Show Ltd. A 90-minute night practice rounds out the day’s proceedings at 7 p.m. local.