Strakka Racing looks to end its season on a high, when the FIA World Endurance Championship heads to Bahrain this weekend for the final race of the year.
After 60 hours of racing in seven countries, spanning three continents, Strakka Racing heads to Bahrain this week, aiming to end the tougher than expected season on a high at a venue where it has previously tasted victory.
In 2012, it scored its last class in the World Endurance Championship at the 5.4km Sakhir circuit, winning the LMP1 Privateer class and finishing third overall in the process.
“We all really enjoy driving at Sakhir, especially after our dramatic podium back in 2012,” says Danny Watts. “As a track it really flows and we have the unique challenge of mastering the changing nature of the circuit as the weekend unfolds. It doesn’t get used that often, so when we all arrive the surface has a lot of dirt and sand on it, which means it gets quicker and quicker as each session passes.”
Despite a desert location, Strakka Racing doesn’t expect temperatures to exceed those witnessed in Texas and with the open-topped Gibson, driver heat management is less critical at Sakhir. “The Gibson’s open cockpit means we get good airflow and it’s a drier heat in Bahrain. We’ve just returned from a Strakka Performance session and are in excellent shape for the weekend.”
Action at the circuit runs from the 19th to the 21st of November with the race starting at 3pm local time, running into the darkness on Saturday. The Bahrain International Circuit – which opened in 2004 – has been on the WEC calendar since its inaugural season back in 2012, and is the chosen venue for the series’ finale for the third time.
Together with the race, Strakka Racing is also taking part in the Bahrain WEC Rookie Test the following Sunday, testing two young drivers in its Gibson. 2010 McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year Lewis Williamson, and Strakka’s Formula Renault 3.5 driver Tio Ellinas, will share the car during the five hours of track time throughout the day.