GP2 Asia, Qatar - Weekend thread!!

**Peter Mallett** · 29 Jan 2009, 07:54 (Ref:2381894)

Although Autosport is quoted as suggesting this is off it seems there will be a race.

http://iloveqatar.net/forum/read.php?27,5688

Apologies for posting a link to another forum but its unlikely to be published anywhere eklse and I don't think this one competes with 10/10s.

Anyway if anyone is coming, bring warm clothes because its pretty damn cold here at night. Why a night race anyway? Beats me.

**gomick** · 29 Jan 2009, 09:16 (Ref:2381925)

night race - that will be a good spectacle...

Dan Friel · 29 Jan 2009, 09:49 (Ref:2381938)

The GP2 website is counting down to the date, so seems that it’s all going to happen as planned. Bit miffed that I won’t see these cars at Dubai – but probably good for the series to expand onto different tracks. Hope that some sort of crowd turns up. Will they??

Peter - I was contemplating making the short trip, but the date clashes with some horrendous running event that I foolishly committed to..

**Peter Mallett** · 29 Jan 2009, 15:19 (Ref:2382135)

I'll probably go but I'm mindful that I have to get up at 4am to be at work by 6:30 the next day! Can't for the life of me understand the decision other than, "we've got the lights so we must use them."

**bella** · 29 Jan 2009, 20:20 (Ref:2382288)

test run for a potential f1 race perhaps?

el_cat · 29 Jan 2009, 20:33 (Ref:2382293)

I'll be pretty interested to see this race. The Losail facility has mostly been used for Motorcycle events - barring the GP Legends event, where the feedback was that the track layout was too motorcycle-orientated and difficult to pass on. It'll be interesting to see how the GP2 cars perform on it.

johntt · 29 Jan 2009, 21:38 (Ref:2382321)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I'll probably go but I'm mindful that I have to get up at 4am to be at work by 6:30 the next day! Can't for the life of me understand the decision other than, "we've got the lights so we must use them."

That and the cooler tempratures will mean more people will turn up.

In theory......

**Peter Mallett** · 30 Jan 2009, 08:45 (Ref:2382534)

Cooler? It'll be colder than Silverstone on a rainy day in April!

Replacement for Donington perhaps

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

test run for a potential f1 race perhaps?

Dan Friel · 30 Jan 2009, 17:49 (Ref:2382760)

Tyre temps have always been an issue in this series. Will be interesting to see if it goes ok..

F1 in Qatar.. can't see it.. yet...

**Peter Mallett** · 1 Feb 2009, 07:23 (Ref:2383555)

I believe there are moves afoot to re shape the track.

**Stephen Green** · 1 Feb 2009, 13:27 (Ref:2383662)

I think the problem with overtaking at the GP Masters event was more down to the cars than the circuit. It's a lovely track and the guys there are very friendly.

I was under the impression the GP2 race was back in Dubai at the end of February? I'm going over on the 24th to marshals at Dubai so I guess I will find out then lol

Dan Friel · 1 Feb 2009, 15:45 (Ref:2383716)

Hi Stephen,

The second Dubai Gp2 round (end of Feb) has been replaced by the Qatar event. The Dubai race weekend is still on, but only Speedcar and local series now.

Dan

**Peter Mallett** · 1 Feb 2009, 15:52 (Ref:2383722)

But the local series includes those V8s doesn't it?

duke_toaster · 2 Feb 2009, 13:42 (Ref:2386595)

I think there's a series using Commodores, IIRC it supported the Bahrain GP.

**Stephen Green** · 2 Feb 2009, 13:48 (Ref:2386601)

Will you be there for that one Peter?

Dan Friel · 2 Feb 2009, 14:25 (Ref:2386612)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

I think there's a series using Commodores, IIRC it supported the Bahrain GP.

I don't believe the Lumina Cup is running this year. Seen nothing about it in the media, and it's not been at any of the events I've attended..

**Peter Mallett** · 2 Feb 2009, 15:42 (Ref:2386626)

That's a shame they look pretty good fun.

Stephen. No I'm in the UK for my race medical that weekend.

**chunterer** · 13 Feb 2009, 11:30 (Ref:2396738)

Ok as Peter started a thread related to this weekend it may as well stay as the general discussion for the weekend.

Anyone got any news on free practice or qualifying yet then?

I see Eurosport aren't showing it live. Highlights on E2 at 10.30 pm tonight damn it!!!

Martin Haven · 13 Feb 2009, 12:08 (Ref:2396754)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

Ok as Peter started a thread related to this weekend it may as well stay as the general discussion for the weekend.

Anyone got any news on free practice or qualifying yet then?

I see Eurosport aren't showing it live. Highlights on E2 at 10.30 pm tonight damn it!!!

Race 1 live - that's LIVE !!! - on Eurosport 2 today - FRIDAY - at 1600 GMT

Race 2 now not live but tape-delayed at 1700GMT on Saturday 14th for all you young lovers out there...

**Peter Mallett** · 13 Feb 2009, 12:10 (Ref:2396756)

That's if the sandstorms don't stop it! I wasn't too enamoured with the night racing thing cos it's bloody freezing, but the sand too, has just put me off any idea of attendance.

Martin Haven · 13 Feb 2009, 12:24 (Ref:2396764)

Apparenjtly it went down well with the Moto GP types last year, even if it made Anglesey on a wet wednesday seem warm...

lights worked well and tyres not TOO much of a problem...

**Peter Mallett** · 13 Feb 2009, 12:25 (Ref:2396765)

That was in March not Feb.

**chunterer** · 13 Feb 2009, 12:28 (Ref:2396773)

Great, thanks for update Martin, without your news the listings may not have changed so many of us will have missed out.

**Stephen Green** · 13 Feb 2009, 12:56 (Ref:2396803)

Martin, will you be in Dubai for the speedcar weekend?

Martin Haven · 13 Feb 2009, 13:40 (Ref:2396842)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

Martin, will you be in Dubai for the speedcar weekend?

That's a big fat negatory, good buddy...