Creventic Launches 24H Middle East Series

24H Series organizer Creventic has announced that it will run a new three-round Middle Eastern endurance championship beginning early next year.

The 24H Middle East Series will start with the 6 Hours of Dubai on Jan. 25-26 before heading to Yas Marina the following week for the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi.

The competition will then return to Dubai Autodrome for a 10-hour season finale on Feb. 7-8.

It will be open to several car types, including current GT3 and GT4-homologated models and SPX machinery.

Prototypes will also be permitted, with LMP2, LMP3, LMP4 and CN entries all accepted by Creventic, which also runs the 24 Hours of Dubai.

Teams have the option of “unlimited testing” at Dubai Autodrome over the course of the Middle East season, which is aimed at teams wanting to conduct their summer season preparations in the region.

“Racing in the Middle East is a perfect alternative to testing in Europe and by setting up the new series, we are responding to great demand from teams and drivers,” said Creventic’s head of regulations Ole Doerlemann.

“Many teams from Europe and other continents are already coming over to the Middle East to participate in the Hankook 6H DUBAI, our round of the 24H Proto Series, on 5-6 January, or the Hankook 24H Dubai, the opening round of the 2019 24H Series powered by Hankook, on 10-12 January.

“Therefore, it makes perfect sense for them to stay in the region to rack up more racing and testing mileage in preparation for the European season, rather than go testing in Europe, with the weather as an uncertain factor.”

A season entry costs €12,500 (around $14,500) while a lower price is offered to teams also competing in the 24 Hours of Dubai.

In addition to a main drivers’ championship, prizes will also be available in a Ladies’ Cup and a Junior Cup, for competitors born after 1995.