RLR MSport rebounds from Saturday low to win Sunday’s Asian Le Mans Series Dubai thriller

RLR MSport took top honours in a thrilling climax to the 2024-25 Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Dubai, bouncing back from a disappointing retirement in spectacular style with Chris Short, Nick Adcock and Ian Aguilera.

The #15 Ligier JSP320 LMP3 was withdrawn from Saturday’s race due to an overheating issue that necessitated an overnight engine change, and the team’s efforts were rewarded when a dogged drive and an epically fast final pit stop propelled it to the top step of the podium on Sunday.

RLR MSport set the bar in Friday’s FP1 session and felt it was in good shape over a race distance and a single lap, South Africa-domiciled Adcock qualifying inside the top five for both Asian Le Mans races.

In Saturday’s 4 Hours of Dubai, newcomer Short was chosen as the starting driver and made his way up into third place by avoiding two Turn 1 spinners, who lost control on the exceptionally dusty, low-grip surface.

Unfazed by the challenging track conditions but suffering with back pain, the Bronze-graded Brit kept RLR MSport in contact with the lead fight for the duration of a stellar, but physically-demanding opening stint.

The recovering #7 Graff Racing eventually crept back into play and seized third position, but Short remained in a comfortable P4 until an earlier-than-scheduled driver-change that pre-empted a Safety Car.

RLR MSport replaced Short with Adcock before Race Control closed pit lane, but a lap was lost and smoke began billowing from the #15 Ligier’s engine bay while officials held the car at pit exit.

Sadly, the overheating LMP3 prototype was returned to the box and wheeled into the garage, retiring with a burst water pipe just as the race was red-flagged.

RLR MSport worked into the night to install a replacement engine and, happily, the car was in fine fettle for Sunday’s 4 Hours of Dubai.

As in the previous day’s race, Short initially ascended to P3 before settling back into his original grid position of fourth, following a overtake by the #43 Inter Europol Competition.

However, RLR MSport was one of only two LMP3 teams to top up with fuel during an early Virtual Safety Car (VSC), and that meant Short circulated in a distant seventh until the end of his hour-long drive.

Adcock picked up the baton, beginning in sixth but eventually ceding position after putting up a strong, drawn-out defence against the #49 High Class Racing.

From there, Adcock ran his own race and RLR MSport cycled up into the lead as rival teams’ strategies played out, staying on a strong footing for the duration of a well-managed stint that went way beyond halftime.

Aguilera was sixth and less than 20 seconds off the class leaders following a Full Course Yellow (FCY) splash-and-dash but efficiently worked his way forward into the podium positions, clearing the #49 for second with 45 minutes still on the clock.

The 4 Hours of Dubai win was well within Aguilera’s sights and he hustled the #15 Ligier LMP3 towards the class-leading #26 Bretton Racing, locking horns lap-after-lap in a captivating battle that allowed the #49 to close back up.

Three teams were in the mix in a thrilling climax, but each required one final fuel-fill and the race was ultimately decided in pit lane.

The well-drilled RLR MSport crew pulled off a stunning splash-and-dash that was a full six seconds quicker than the opposition, and that give Aguilera a clear run to a sensational victory that rewards the team’s great efforts.

The triumph keeps RLR MSport in contention for the 2024-25 Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 Teams Trophy, as it sits fourth with a 20-point deficit to the current championship leaders going into the final double-header of the season at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit (14-16 February).

“To win the second Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Dubai after retiring from Saturday’s first race is a great recovery, and I’m super thankful to RLR MSport,” said Aguilera. “The team needs to be congratulated for changing the engine overnight and giving us a very competitive car.

“Both Chris (Short) and Nick (Adcock) drove really well and I’m super happy with their stints. It was so hard out there in the high temperatures. There were a lot of cars to pass while also dealing with GT traffic, and I had to string together one qualifying lap after another to catch the race leaders. However, it was a lot of fun and I’m happy to come away with a win that strengthens our title bid going into the Abu Dhabi finale.”

Adcock said: “We started fourth and Chris (Short) did a great job, particularly when in among GT traffic after we burned a mandatory stop. He drove cleanly and I then had to double-stint his tyres, which was tricky, but the car was perfect when I handed it to Ian (Aguilera).

“He drove exceptionally well in a performance that belies his tender years. His racecraft was brilliant while battling for the win and he has garnered himself a bit of a reputation as a rising star, which is great to see. To bounce back so strongly from a DNF is incredible, although I did tell everybody in the drivers’ briefing that we would win today. Those 25 points certainly help our bid for the 2024-25 Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 Trophies in Abu Dhabi.”

Short said: “What a race! It has been an amazing effort by absolutely everybody involved with RLR MSport. The last hour of Sunday’s Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Dubai was super-tense, with decisions over whether Ian (Aguilera) should fuel-save or push. It was a great battle to the finish and Ian did a fantastic job, but it an amazing final pit stop and the team’s overall effort that ultimately made the difference between winning and finishing second. I’ve done three races with the team and come away with two victories. I can’t complain about that!”