DW Racing’s Andy Lowe deploys podium-worthy pace in Dubai

DW Racing’s Andy Lowe deployed podium-worthy pace in unfamiliar machinery throughout Round 2 of the 2024-25 Gulf Radical Cup at Dubai Autodrome (23-24 November).

The Wolverhampton racer suffered more than his fair share of misfortune, as a hefty shunt early in proceedings forced him to switch his Radical SR3 XXR for a loaned SR3 XX, which presented a range of unforeseen challenges that forced him to adapt his driving style in extreme ways.

For Lowe, the support and coaching DW Racing provided during Round 1 of the Gulf Radical Cup and the blue riband Kinetic7 Radical World Finals at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi resulted in improved consistency.

Official testing ahead of Round 2 of the 2024-25 season then served as an opportunity to improve accuracy, shorten braking zones and find lap time at each of Dubai Autodrome’s 16 corners.

Adapting his driving style and hitting target lap times while managing his Hankook tyres in the United Arab Emirates’ hot climate proved challenging, but Lowe remained optimistic and consequently achieved a desired top ten grid slot in Qualifying for Saturday’s Sprints, in spite of a slipping clutch.

Lowe carried the clutch issues forward into the first 20-minute Gulf Radical Cup race of the weekend, but he still surged from tenth to fourth in a stellar start, only to sustain terminal damage in contact with a spinning rival as the field swept between Turns 6 and 7.

DW Racing’s mechanics had their backs against the wall to repair the severely wounded #4 SR3 XXR in time for the day’s second Sprint Race, although much of the pressure was lifted when Radical supplied a substitute car.

The team still had a very narrow window in which to install Lowe’s preferred setup, and the Wolverhampton-domiciled racer only turned a wheel in the spare SR3 XX when he headed out of pit lane to start the second Sprint of the weekend.

It was then that he discovered a need to adjust to a “pointier” front end and longer gear ratios, and achieving a truly representative result was made all the more difficult after receiving a two-place grid penalty for replacing a rear tyre that was damaged in the race one contact.

From 12th, Lowe picked up positions on the opening tour of the 3.49mile Dubai circuit and was sixth by lap three, when he was tipped into a spin by GSR’s Peri Deramas at the Turn 14 hairpin.

Unperturbed, Lowe recovered back to P6 in the remaining green-flag laps of what he hailed as a “very enjoyable race” and, with sufficient pace to trouble the podium, he took confidence into Sunday’s 45-minute Enduro.

Lowe’s positivity was heightened further by the fact he had a fresh set of Hankooks at his disposal, and a ballsy opening stint featured a hard charge into the top five and an impressive recovery from a half-spin.

However, a ten-second penalty for a pit lane speed infringement was a significant blow in a race that finished behind the Safety Car and, having been attacking for fourth, he was disappointed to classify P12 in the definitive result.

“The results in Round 2 of the Gulf Radical Cup at Dubai Autodrome don’t reflect the progress I have made this weekend and in my previous competitive outings in the United Arab Emirates,” said Lowe. “I have been unfortunate in many respects, as on-track contact caused severe damage and resulted in costly spins. Racing the loaned Radical SR3 XX presented some unforeseen challenges, particularly in relation to my comfort and driving position, which were far from optimal. Adapting to the new car was a tough ask, so I’m proud to have had so much pace under those circumstances and I’m encouraged that I still have lap time in me. Overall, it has been a hugely rewarding weekend in which I took significant strides as a driver. A podium is overdue.”