The roar from 78 supercharged engines heralded the start of a defining year for motorsport in the UAE this afternoon.
Competitors in the gruelling 24 Hours of Dubai race got underway in the city's Autodrome.
The rolling start, at 2pm, followed a two-minute silence the track's board members had announced in sympathy for the people of Gaza.
Now in its fourth year, the race has grown in popularity and attracted teams from across the world.
Drivers and pit crews must cope with the demands that a full day of racing can have on a car and themselves.
Most of the 78 teams has at least three drivers who will drive in two-hour shifts until the race ends at 2pm tomorrow.
First on the grid was a 440 horsepower Porsche 997 belonging to the Autolando Sport.
Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum is taking part as a driver in a powerful Ferrari 430 GT for the Dubai-based team Khaleji Motorsport, which started in 16th place on the grid.
Khaleji has also entered a Porsche 997 which is being driven by the UAE Touring Car Champion Kharim al Azhari.
Speaking to The National before the race al Anhazri said: "In a normal race you go out full-on sprint racing, you use the car to the maximum.
"Here you have to watch yourself, the car, the mechanics. It's a whole combination you rely on."
The 24 Hours of Dubai is seen as a curtain racer for the racing season that culminates with the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Nov 1.
pmcmillan@thenational.ae
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
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FIXTURES
December 28
Stan Wawrinka v Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Milos Raonic v Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 29 - semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Stan Wawrinka / Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Milos Raonic / Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 30
3rd/4th place play-off, 5pm
Final, 7pm
AIR
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
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England's Ashes squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
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Results
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mezmar, Adam McLean (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: AF Ajwad, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Gold Silver, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
4pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m; Winner: Atrash, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez.
4.30pm: Gulf Cup Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Momtaz, Saif Al Balushi, Musabah Al Muhairi.
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Al Mushtashar, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.