HUGHES SPEEDWORKS BAGS SECOND PODIUM IN 24H Dubai

Bredbury based Hughes/Speedworks Motorsport performed a Dubai double, leaving the UAE for a second consecutive year with silverware, this time following up their 2014 class victory by finishing second in the 10th anniversary running of the Hankook 24H Dubai – only to be joined alongside them by the Speedworks ‘sister’ car on the third step of the SP3 class.

Racing the Ginetta G50 that took the team to Class victory in 2014, Hughes Safety Showers boss Tony Hughes and Warburtons Bakery Executive Director, Ross Warburton, were joined by British Touring Car Championship driver Ollie Jackson and Ginetta Supercup & British GT racer Tom Oliphant in the huge 95-car entry.

Steady progress was made through Practice with the Hughes car setting competitive times in both sessions as the quartet made themselves familiar with the Emerati venue. Qualifying, however, threw the first ‘spanner in the works’ as Oliphant was on course to set what was sure to be Pole Position in SP3, a loose relay caused the car to cut out, scuppering the team’s chances of heading their class on the grid, and leaving them a competitive 3rd.

Under beautiful blue skies the race started it’s 10th Anniversary in an almost carnival like atmosphere. Tom took the wheel for the opening stint and claimed second spot as he handed over to Hughes to continue.

Most of the next twenty hours ran pretty much according to plan, with the foursome swapping the driving seat in turn, through the night and into the next day.

It wasn’t until Ollie Jackson jumped in for the last driver change that the usually reliable Ginetta developed another relay fault causing the car not to restart after fueling. A problem the team dealt with swiftly, getting the G50 back on track, though unfortunately losing time to the class leading Ginetta G55 of Optimum Motorsport. Only a few laps went by and Jackson was back in the pits, this time with gear selection problems. Jackson had his work cut out now to get the car to the finish, firstly losing 1st & 2nd gear, then going on to lose all but 4th, he was left with the task of nursing the car home with just one gear.

Following the late drama, and a gruelling 531 laps later, the chequered flag couldn’t come soon enough – Jackson finally taking the flag 2nd in SP3, and a brilliant 22nd overall [of 95 cars] to the delight of the Hughes/Speedworks team, followed home by the Speedworks’ team’s sister Aston Martin of John Gilbert, Paul O’Neill, Flick Haige and Devon Modell on the third step of the podium.

“It’s a fantastic feeling that I don’t think I can put into words”, beamed team boss Christian Dick, “coming here last year and winning was fantastic, but having put so much effort into bringing two cars out here, with double the drivers, double the staff, it’s a very proud moment to have both cars on the podium”.

“Winning last year put pressure on ourselves a little” explained Hughes, “though the aim was to finish as highly placed as possible. With that in mind, a second podium in two years is absolutely fantastic, and I’m incredibly pleased for the team to have the Aston up there with us. Speedworks have done a fantastic job, and I’d like to publicly thank them for their efforts!”

Elsewhere, overall honours went to the Black Falcon Mercedes of fellow Brit, and Cheshire local, Ollie Webb, alongside his teammates; Yelmer Buurman, Abdulaziz Al Faisal, and Hubert Haupt. Ollie became only the fourth British driver to win the 24H Dubai outright.