Flying start for motor racer Bird in Dubai 24-hour endurance race

Nassington driver Frank Bird enjoyed a stunning start to 2021 with a second-placed finish in a 24-hour endurance race in Dubai last weekend.
By Alan Swann
Published 20th Jan 2021, 06:53 BST
Frank Bird (left) and his WRT team in Dubai.Frank Bird (left) and his WRT team in Dubai.
Frank Bird (left) and his WRT team in Dubai.

The 21 year-old was racing for the first time as part of a five man Team WRT in the opening race of the GT3 endurance calandar.

WRT is Belgian based and Bird served as one of three young back-up drivers in an Audi R8 LMS to GT stars Dries Vanthoor and Kelvin van der Linde.

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The team started in 1oth place on the grid after some consistent qualifying performances, but made steady progress throughout the race with Bird, who was making his debut in the race, winning plaudits for a drive late in the day which helped his team into second place behind a local Dubai team.

Frank Bird in action at the Dubai Aerodrome.Frank Bird in action at the Dubai Aerodrome.
Frank Bird in action at the Dubai Aerodrome.

The winning margin was just one lap after 600 laps around the Dubai Aerodrome.

Bird said: “What a way to start the season and what a first race for me with Team WRT. All the drivers did a perfect job.

“We let the race come to us, making no mistakes on the track or in the pit stops, which played a massive part.

“The Audi was fantastic too so a big thanks to all the team, engineers, and my team-mates.

“Hopefully, it’s the first of many podiums this year.”

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