New January 2021 Date for Gulf 12H

The tenth edition of the Gulf 12 Hours has been moved to a new date early next year after its original December slot became unavailable due to Formula 1’s calendar changes.

The two-part GT endurance race was initially set to be held on the weekend of Dec. 12 but the recent placement of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on that weekend has prompted the 12 Hours organization to shift its event at Yas Marina Circuit to Jan. 9, 2021.

A statement from the organization added that the bunching up of European sports car racing calendars into the second half of this year, following the mass postponement and cancelation of sporting events due to the coronavirus pandemic, also played a part.

It will now take place one week before the Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai, which could benefit teams and drivers wishing to participate in both enduros. 

The new January date is expected to be a one-off with the Gulf 12 Hours anticipated to return to its December slot later in 2021.

A total of 61 entries from 38 teams have been lodged for the next edition, while the entry list for the 34 available garages is set to be published soon.

Having allowed LMP3 prototypes on the grid in recent years, the race has moved to a GT-only format with GT3, GT4 and Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars eligible to compete.

Dries Vanthoor, Christopher Mies and Rinat Salikhov won the 2019 Gulf 12 Hours in an Attempto Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo.