FACH AUTO TECH secured its latest class podium at the Hankook 24H DUBAI, an event that “demanded a lot from our team and drivers” according to team principal Alex Fach . 

The Swiss team, which took a decisive 1-2 in 992 at last year’s event, once again entered two Porsche 992 GT3 Cups for the 2024 edition. Having qualified 7th in-class, the lead #962 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup remained well in contention for 992 victory during the opening stages of the event. 

Sadly, nearly 30 minutes in the pits affecting unspecified “repairs” on the cusp of the eighth hour meant FACH AUTO TECH lost five laps to eventual 992 class winner Red Camel-Jordans.nl, and dropped to 13th overall in 992. Ironically, with most of those repairs completed during the event’s sixth Code 60, the Swiss team could easily have lost a lot more time. 

“Strong stints by the drivers during the night and flawless pit work by the team” however meant that, by two-thirds distance, Huub van Eijndhoven, Paul Meijer, Jop Rappange and Ralph Poppelaars were back in the top five. Just two hours later, the #962 Porsche had moved back into the overall top three in 992, where the team stayed to the chequered flag. 

3rd for van Eijndhoven, Meijer, Rappange and Poppelaars secured the seventh event podium for FACH AUTO TECH since its Hankook 24H DUBAI debut in 2011, following class wins in 2013, 2018 and 2023, and further class podiums in 2013, 2017 and 2023.

“This race demanded a lot from our team and drivers. We are happy we reached the finish and of course the podium,” team principal Alex Fach explains. “The team had to overcome some difficulties over the 24 hours, but they fought until the end and were rewarded for it.”

Though the sister #961 Porsche was rarely in contention, Fach explained that Michael Hinderer, Marc Devis, Yves Scemama, Christian Traber and Nico Verdonck “showed equal fighting spirit” to make the finish 13th overall in 992 and 8th in 992-Am. While Verdonck entered his eighth Hankook 24H DUBAI in 2024, Hinderer, Devis, Scemama and Traber – all graduates of the Nico Verdonck driver Academy – made their 24-hour racing debuts in Dubai. 

“The crew can definitely be very happy with their race,” Fach continues. “For Michael, Marc, Yves and Christian, it was their first endurance race of this kind. They normally race in historic cars and have always dreamed of completing a 24-hour race in a modern car. Together with them and their coach, we worked step-by-step to make this dream come true and we did it. To see the chequered flag after such a hard race with this strong competition is an achievement to be proud of.”