Papantonis 2nd in 2011-2012 UAE Touring Car Campionship and Annivas crowned Champion in 21011-2012 UAE Cio Cup Championship

13 April 2012

The final race day of the 2011/2012 UAE national motorsport season took place at Dubai Autodrome on Friday (13 April) and on the day Nader Zuhour clinched the Total UAE Touring Car Championship joining Umair Khan and Alexandros Annivas as a champion of this year’s series.

Zuhour, driving a SEAT, arrived at the double points scoring finale leading the Class 1 championship and needed a strong showing on the day to keep at bay his main rival Costas Papantonis in the Gulf Petrochem SEAT.

By the end of the day Zuhour had notched up two wins and with that scooping the Total UAE Touring Car champion’s crown. He drove a calculated race, allowing Papantonis to set the early pace but then making his move when it mattered to score his sixth and seventh win of the season respectively.

Zuhour said, “I thank God for this achievement. It was really a great day, great races and great feeling to win this title. We worked hard all season and the turning point was when I changed my style and strategy to drive to the car’s strengths rather than bully it. I want to thank my team NFS who prepare my car, the organisers DAMC- the circuits Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina Circuit.”

**Papantonis, twice before a UAE touring car champion, commented afterwards, “It was a season of ups and downs for me and my team. We started on a low, then got a good boost mid-season but then things went down again towards the end. But it was a good season, we learnt lessons and we will be back stronger than ever. I want to thank Gulf Petrochem for their support and commitment to our team. Congratulations to the champions.”

Εδω να συμπληρωσω εγω οτι ο Κωστας και στους 2 αγωνες την Παρασκευη ηταν μιση πιστα μπροστα απο τον δευτερο αλλα στον πρωτο αγωνα στον τελευταιο γυρο το σασμαν του αποφασισε απο μονο του να μπει στην νεκρα ενω στον δευτερο αγωνα το μοτερ αποφασισε να μην ανεβαζει πανω απο 3,500 στροφες 3 γυρους πριν το πεσιμο της σημαιας.... **

Umair Khan, who notched up the Total UAE Touring Cars Class 2 title last time out, also scored a pair of wins on the day in his Lap57 Honda to make it 13 victories out of 16 and an incredible run of 11 consecutive race wins.

Khan summed up his year, “Everything went according to plan. We started the year determined to raise our game and become more consistent. This we achieved as we had no problems, the car ran perfectly and the end I have my third championship. I am very happy.”

On the day in Race 1 Rupesh Channake (Lap57 Honda) took second place in Class 2, with Jonathan Mullan (Honda) taking third. In Race 2 they traded places with Mullan second and Channake third.

**Gulf Petrochem backed Alexandros Annivas was also a double winner on the day, taking top spot on the podium in the Clio Cup and consolidating his triumph in the inaugural single make championship.

Annivas said, “I am very happy today. It has been a tough season, we had some problems along the way not just mechanical, but also with penalties. But in the end we did it and I must thank Gulf Petrochem for their unwavering support. They were here cheering for us all the way and I am happy to be able to deliver the title for them. Also big thanks to my family especially my father (Costas Papantonis) who is my mentor.”**

Thus came to a close the 16 rounds, on eight race days, of the Total UAE Touring Car Championship which started in October last year.

Ενα κειμενο απο ανεξαρτητο motorsport site που περιγραφει το τι ακριβως εγινε το τελευταιο αγωνιστικο διημερο και το 'δραμα' που ειχαν που ειχαν οι 2 αγωνες του Κωστα για το κλεισιμο της σεζον.

uae national racing // touring car championship // every second counts

Seven seconds. That was all that stood between Costas Papantonis and victory as he entered the penultimate corner of the 2011/2012 UAE Touring Car Championship. Two laps earlier, the Grecian held a near-7s gap back to Class 1 rival Nader Zuhour in second place. Defeat seemed impossible.

Then with one lap left, Papantonis’ laptimes started to tumble and the Gulf Petrochem SEAT began cruising rather than tearing down the main straight. Something was clearly very wrong. And Zuhour was catching. Fast.

Surely not again! The paddock was abuzz. Race one had been all about Papantonis stealing a march over the field and disappearing into the distance after a rocket start from pole position. Then, just three laps from home, the SEAT Leon coasted to a halt on the main straight, drive gone and nothing the Grecian could do to stop Zuhour sweeping through for victory.

Papantonis would eventually get going again, but second in class – plus double points as a one-time offer for this, the final round of the season – meant only a DNF for his main rival would tilt the Championship balance back in his direction.

Race two: with half the final lap completed, Papantonis’ lead had plummeted from 6.9s to just shy of 3s as Jonathan Mullan un-lapped itself. A blown engine had destroyed his weekend last time out in Abu Dhabi, but the Brit was on a charge at the Autodrome.

A consistent albeit quiet run in race one brought Mullan third in-class behind the similarly Honda-powered Rupesh Chanaka. Countryman Mike Scott, back in the Championship for the end of year hurrah, followed home for fourth in-class in the opening gambit, but ended his day on pit road.

A striking contrast to Mullan, who came alive in the second affair. A poor start for race two left him trailing at the Class 2 tail end, but once up to speed, Mullan diced lap after lap with Chanaka down the main straight: no quarter asked, no quarter given. Squeezing the Sri Lankan at turn one, Mullan finally made it stick, and cruised home for Class 2 runners-up honours.

Unsurprisingly Umair Khan, a couple of seconds down the road in both outings, dominated Class 2 proceedings, his 2011/2012 title completing a championship hat-trick after success in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. That’s another sticker in the rear window for next year.

Race two: Back at the front, recently crowned Renault Clio Cup winner Alexandros Annivas – in the sister Gulf Petrochem entry – scrambled past to unlap himself. Papantonis was short-shifting, fearing to push the ‘box for fear it would fail altogether. Entering the final sweeping right-hander, Zuhour was right with him.

Papantonis hugged the inside line: if the Jordanian was coming past, it would be the long way round. Maybe, just maybe, Zuhour’s tyres would skate for grip off-line, backing out of the throttle the only fail-safe. A small reprieve, but it might be enough. Right foot mashed and the drive likely to go at any second, surely Zuhour wouldn’t steal this at the flag. The circuit commentator was out of his seat.

Spectators in the stands strained to see, the rooftops of each SEAT line-astern disappearing behind parc ferme. Half a corner left. Who would be in front? Papantonis or Zuhour? Blue and white, or black and orange?

The clock hit zero, and one second later the leader flashed past, the Class 1 Championship in his pocket. Few would deny that Zuhour’s sprint around the outside of Papantonis at the final corner to steal victory was an unbelievably exciting climax to the season. Double winner Zuhour was jubilant, and – no question – a deserving Champion.

Papantonis, so cruelly fated twice in one weekend, was pragmatic in defeat, and received his well-earned plaudits. One wondered what would might have been if reliability had not given out at the worst possible moments. Seven seconds. Dwindled grid numbers didn’t stop this fight going down to the wire

Παιδιά, συγχαρητήρια και όλες μου τις ευχές για καλή συνέχεια στα επόμενα πρωταθλήματα.
Και σας καμαρώνω και... σας ζηλεύω, καθώς για τέτοιες ευκαιρίες και μόνο θα μπορούσα να σκεφτώ να κατέβω Εμιράτα για δουλειά... (καλά, με κάτι τελευταία έργα που ψάχνουμε για μελέτες, δεν θεωρείται κι αυτό απίθανο... )

A Quick Chat With…The Champs // Dubai, UAE

We’ve seen a lot of ups, downs and a few bumps and bruises on the road to this year’s UAE Touring Car Championship, and the final round of the season produced easily the most nail-biting finish we’ve seen in a while.

As ever, crankandpiston was on-hand at the Autodrome to scope the news and check out the form, and try not to trip over any loose wires. This gave us plenty of time – when the dust had settled – to grab a quick chat with this year’s Class Champions.

Alexandros Annivas: UAE Renault Clio Cup Champion

Even though this year ultimately resulted in a Championship Alexandros, it’s not been the easiest of seasons for you has it?
“It was hard, especially in the second half of the season. Too many problems, and too many gremlins, especially electrical problems. And these were problems that were very difficult to find, isolate and fix. Round five or six, I think it was, at 11.30pm I had to go and buy one extra car in order to race the next day! And that brought more issues: it was new, it was out of setup, we didn’t have the time to bring it to my driving style. Then the next day, we had – let’s say – a difference of opinion with the stewards and I got excluded! That was a hectic period.

“Finally I just said, ‘I don’t want the podiums, I just want to finish’, and since I had no nerves and no pressure, I just came, drove, had fun, and it’s resulted in a Championship!”

How do you feel those issues early on helped you develop as a driver?
“Through the first half of the season, I developed a lot. The second half, with all the problems, I started thinking it was down to my driving, and that I just wasn’t quick enough. Also during the second half of the season I didn’t get too much time off work, even though my employers – Gulf Petrochem – as my sponsors were very supportive. I don’t really know what it was. But next year I hope to have more time to practice, have less technical problems, and develop more and more as a driver.”

You’ve had a lot of support this year from your team obviously, but your family has played a bit role too…
“Yes, very much. My father is also racing in the series, and from the early karting days onwards, he was my mentor. He was my trainer. So I have a figure to look up to. It’s the first championship in the UAE that I’ve won, my father has won four or five, so I want to keep on racing and, who knows, one day race against each other again, like we used to do in the Suzuki Swift Championship. That was great fun!”

How does it feel knowing you are the reigning Champion?

“It feels very nice! It’s always good to get one Championship under your belt, and it’s good that all your efforts throughout the season have been rewarded. That’s the biggest prize!” >>>

Αστεία πράγματα στον πρώτο σημερινό αγώνα του BTCC...

Ο χρήστης A-Viper7 έγραψε:
Αστεία πράγματα στον πρώτο σημερινό αγώνα του BTCC...

τι εγινε; καπου διαβασα πως κολλησε ενα φορτηγο στη λάσπη

αμαν με αυτους του BBC! Το καταλαβαμε, ειναι η πρωτη φορα που μια Ducati ειναι στην πρωτη σειρα απο το 2010 και την pole του Stoner στη Valencia. Δε χρειάζεται να το λετε καθε 5 λεπτα....

Ο χρήστης mikeerfol έγραψε:

Αστεία πράγματα στον πρώτο σημερινό αγώνα του BTCC...

τι εγινε; καπου διαβασα πως κολλησε ενα φορτηγο στη λάσπη

Το πρώτο φορτηγό πήγε και άφησε ένα αυτοκίνητο, που είχε εγκαταλήψει, σε λάθος σημείο. Όταν αποφάσισαν ότι το σημείο ήταν επικίνδυνο το φορτηγό είχε ήδη κολλήσει στην λάσπη. Έφεραν ένα τζιπ να ξεκολλήσουν το φορτηγό και αντί να το βάλουν να το τραβήξει από την άσφαλτο το έβαλαν στα γρασίδια με αποτέλεσμα να κολλήσει και αυτό... Κόκκινη σημαία...

Ο χρήστης A-Viper7 έγραψε:

Αστεία πράγματα στον πρώτο σημερινό αγώνα του BTCC...

τι εγινε; καπου διαβασα πως κολλησε ενα φορτηγο στη λάσπη

Το πρώτο φορτηγό πήγε και άφησε ένα αυτοκίνητο, που είχε εγκαταλήψει, σε λάθος σημείο. Όταν αποφάσισαν ότι το σημείο ήταν επικίνδυνο το φορτηγό είχε ήδη κολλήσει στην λάσπη. Έφεραν ένα τζιπ να ξεκολλήσουν το φορτηγό και αντί να το βάλουν να το τραβήξει από την άσφαλτο το έβαλαν στα γρασίδια με αποτέλεσμα να κολλήσει και αυτό... Κόκκινη σημαία...

Ο χρήστης A-Viper7 έγραψε:

Αστεία πράγματα στον πρώτο σημερινό αγώνα του BTCC...

τι εγινε; καπου διαβασα πως κολλησε ενα φορτηγο στη λάσπη

Το πρώτο φορτηγό πήγε και άφησε ένα αυτοκίνητο, που είχε εγκαταλήψει, σε λάθος σημείο. Όταν αποφάσισαν ότι το σημείο ήταν επικίνδυνο το φορτηγό είχε ήδη κολλήσει στην λάσπη. Έφεραν ένα τζιπ να ξεκολλήσουν το φορτηγό και αντί να το βάλουν να το τραβήξει από την άσφαλτο το έβαλαν στα γρασίδια με αποτέλεσμα να κολλήσει και αυτό... Κόκκινη σημαία...

Μάλλον δεν είχαν τόσο μακριά ρυμούλκα. Όπως και να έχει, αυτά γίνονται με βίντσια κανονικά.

Περίμενα σα μαλάκας να δω Toyota σήμερα...

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1075 ... r-accident

Να δω τι θα κάνουν στο Le Mans χωρίς ούτε ένα αγώνα...

Έχοντας δει δυο αγώνες του DTM πρέπει να ομολογήσω ότι φέτος είναι σκέτη κόλαση!

Εγώ απλά καταπίνω τη γλώσσα μου που έλεγα πως η BMW κόλωνε να κατέβει για να μη φάει σκόνη από τους αιώνιους εχθρούς της! Ήρθε και νίκησε αμέσως! Μπράβο της! Αντε να κάνει το ίδιο και το TS030*!!!

• Από τον πρωτο της αγώνα αυτή, μιας και έαχσε το Spa...

Ο χρήστης Go_For_Pole έγραψε:
Έχοντας δει δυο αγώνες του DTM πρέπει να ομολογήσω ότι φέτος είναι σκέτη κόλαση!

Σορρυ αλλα τον βρηκα μονο στα Γερμανικα.

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παιδια συγνωμη για το ασχετο απλα ηθελα να το δειτε και δεν ηξερα που να το βαλω...ειναι ΕΛΛΗΝΑΣ γι αυτο ηθελα να το δειτε...

Youtube Video

Youtube Video

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Δεν ξέρω πόσοι από εσάς γνωρίζετε τον Ισπανό Miguel Toril. Είναι μόλις 22 χρονών κι έχει αρκετές επιτυχίες στα εθνικά πρωταθλήματα της χώρας του. Μάλιστα το 2011 στέφθηκε πρωταθλητής στο Πρωτάθλημα GT Light με Ferrari 430 Challenge. Φέτος συμμετέχει στο ευρωπαϊκό πρωτάθλημα GT3 με την ομάδα Russian Bears Motorsport οδηγώντας Ferrari 458 Italia GT3.

Είχα την τιμή να δημοσιεύσω αποκλειστική του συνέντευξη στο blog μου. Την παραθέτω κι εδώ για να πάρουν ίσως παραδείγματα κάποιοι νεότεροι που ίσως ονειρεύονται κάποτε να τιμήσουν τα ελληνικά χρώματα στα σαλόνια του ευρωπαϊκού και παγκόσμιου μηχανοκίνητου αθλητισμού.

Επίσης μπορούμε να έχουμε στο νου μας ότι υπάρχουν κι άλλου τύπου αγώνες πίστας εκτός από τη Formula 1, που επίσης χρειάζονται αυτοκινητοδρόμια. Δεν έχω δει όμως αντίστοιχα κινήσεις από την ελληνική πλευρά (και δεν μιλάμε μόνο για τώρα εν μέσω ύφεσης). Δηλαδή ή Formula 1 ή τίποτα???

Ο χρήστης speedy gio έγραψε:
παιδια συγνωμη για το ασχετο απλα ηθελα να το δειτε και δεν ηξερα που να το βαλω...ειναι ΕΛΛΗΝΑΣ γι αυτο ηθελα να το δειτε...

Youtube Video

αμα αρχισουν να βγαινουν οι καγκουρες απο δημοτικο, χαθηκαμε

φανταζομαι ολοι οι γιαπωνεζοι πρεπει να ειναι καγκουρες δηλαδη

εκει ειναι ανταγωνιστικοι επαγγελματιες φιλε μου, στο Ελλαντα παλι, drifting = χαρα του καγκουρα, δυστυχως

Ο Ευτύχης Έλληνας έκανε τον 6ο καλύτερο χρόνο στα χρονομετρημένα του GP3 στη Βαρκελώνη στο ντεμπούτο του στην κατηγορία. Πάμε για βάθρο; Γιατί όχι!