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After ups and downs, Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing has returned from its desert adventure in the United Arab Emirates. Two endurance races – the 24 Hours of Dubai (10–12 January 2025) and the 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi (18–19 January 2025) – presented the team with extreme challenges in the first two races of the 2025 season. In the end, Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing from Abu Dhabi takes a second place as well as an extra portion of team spirit and self-confidence back to Germany.
Setback in Dubai
In the No. 470 BMW M4 GT4, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Emely de Heus, Keith Gatehouse, Georg King and Bernd Küpper competed for Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing in Dubai. After a promising performance in practice and qualifying, the team was in first place in the GT4 class for a second time during the race. But after around eight hours of racing, the shock: with Emely de Heus at the wheel, the BMW M4 GT4 suddenly caught fire and was badly damaged. Lying on an excellent second place in the class, the race was abruptly ended..jpeg)
Comeback in Abu Dhabi
Despite the setback and the considerable damage, the team, led by team principal Matthias Möller, decided to bring the damaged car to Abu Dhabi – a gamble that was to pay off. Thanks to tireless work and improvisational talent, including new parts to be flown in from Germany, the crew under the direction of Bernd Küpper repaired the car in the shortest possible time directly in the pits of the state-of-the-art race track in Abu Dhabi. Jeroen Bleekemolen, Keith Gatehouse and Tudor Tudurachi competed at the 6h Abu Dhabi – and caused a small sensation after the fire accident: With a strong performance, the team secured second place in the GT4 class. "That was an emotional race. From the disappointment in Dubai to the euphoria in Abu Dhabi – our entire team has shown what is possible with cohesion and passion. A terrific performance," said team principal Matthias Möller..jpeg)
View of the Nordschleife
After this spectacular season opener and the podium success in Abu Dhabi, Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing is now turning its attention to the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The season begins with the first race of the Nürburgring Endurance Series on 22 March 2025. How many cars and which drivers the team will compete there remains open for the time being. What is certain, however, is that the popular "Girls Only" team with team manager Lina van de Mars will be back on the Nordschleife in 2025.
