The 13th edition of the regional endurance classic heads to Yas Marina Circuit as 28 GT3 cars line up on track

MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi to race in Abu Dhabi with championship deciding finales on the cards this weekend

Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, XX December 2023: Abu Dhabi gears up for the return of the Middle East’s premier endurance race, as the prestigious Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours championship takes to Yas Marina Circuit this weekend.

As the 13th edition of the regional classic, this year’s event will feature its best-ever lineup, with 28 GT3 cars confirmed for a thrilling spectacle featuring multiple championship deciders at the Yas Island track.

Set to kick off on Saturday 9th December at Yas Marina Circuit, motorsport fanatics can look forward to seeing MotoGP racing legend Valentino Rossi in action as the Italian star aims to wrap up his season with his first ever Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours title.

Rossi, alongside his teammates Nick Yelloy and Dries Vanthoor, is taking the battle for the championship to 2022 champions AF Corse and their powerful trio of Ferrari 296 GTS, piloted by an impressive crew featuring American duo Jean Claude Saada and Conrad Grunewald.

The GT cars hunting for silverware in Abu Dhabi represent a world-class selection of constructors as Audi, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, BMW, and Porsche feature in the AM, ProAM, and Pro categories at Yas Marina Circuit this weekend. Entrants will be competing for the three coveted titles in the ultimate round of the Intercontinental GT powered by Pirelli, including the Independent Cup honours.

Fans can expect to see familiar favourites and new faces, with 10 of the 12 previous Gulf 12 Hours champions are confirmed to race again in Abu Dhabi, including back-to-back title winners, 2 Seas Motorsport, AF Corse and Kessel Racing. The 2023 grid will also welcome Haas RT, as the team makes its ProAM debut with Audi.

Alongside the action on track, fans can look forward to a thrilling motorsport experience at one of the world’s most iconic tracks, with pitlane and grid walks at Yas Marina Circuit running across the opening days of action.

Fans can catch all the action this weekend live in Abu Dhabi with information on tickets now available at https://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/motorsports/gulf-hours.

ENDS

ABOUT ETHARA

Ethara is shaping the future of entertainment, sport, culture, event services, and asset management regionally and internationally. Headquartered on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, and with offices in Dubai and Riyadh, the company employs over 300 professionals who offer an unrivalled wealth of expertise, experience, knowledge and skills. Ethara, meaning ‘thrill’ in Arabic, operates an impressive portfolio of assets, including Yas Marina Circuit, Etihad Park, Etihad Arena and the Yas Conference Centre. The company works with leading events companies, IP owners, and entertainment partners locally and internationally to deliver world-class, first-to-market events and experiences. For further information, visit: www.ethara.com

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ABOUT YAS MARINA CIRCUIT

Yas Marina Circuit is the United Arab Emirates’ most exciting sporting and entertainment multi-purpose venue. Located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the circuit is home to the annual FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX and much more. In addition to the extensive year-round program of professional and grassroots motorsport events and experiences including Drag and Yas Track Nights, the circuit has emerged as a thriving hub for entertainment and community events in the UAE.

Yas Marina Circuit is also a champion of sustainability in motorsports, receiving the Three-Star Environmental Certification from the FIA, the governing body’s highest recognition of sustainability. The award is an acknowledgement of the circuit’s long-standing commitment to environmental management with the objective of standing with Formula One in becoming Net-Zero Carbon by 2030.

As the region’s most technologically advanced facility, the circuit is also a leading MICE venue, regularly hosting a diverse range of corporate meetings, conferences, and events. Whether you want to experience the thrill of karting at our Kartzone, driving an Aston Martin GT4 at over 200km/hour on an F1 circuit, work towards your racing license at the Yas Racing School, get fit at TrainYas, participate in one of our many sporting events, or simply catch up with friends at Yas Central, Yas Marina Circuit truly is The Meeting Place of Champions.