Driving Force Events, the organizer of the Gulf 12 Hours, has announced plans to run a ten-round sports car championship in the UAE beginning later this year.

The Gulf Sportscar Championship will consist of ten 50-minute races over five weekends at Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina Circuit.

There will be three hours of track time over the course of each weekend, plus several hours of non-compulsory private test sessions before the race day.

It will be open to GT cars, LMP3 cars and a selection of carbon-monocoque prototypes and teams can either run one or two drivers per car.

The final classification at the end of the season will be determined by each entrant’s six best results with their lowest four finishing positions dropped.

All teams entering at least one car will be entitled to a discounted entry to the 2018 edition of the Gulf 12 Hours on Dec. 15.

A full logistics package has also been arranged, covering the transportation of cars and equipment from Europe to the UAE and low-cost transportation between Dubai Autodrome and Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.

Teams will be able to utilize safe storage and workshop facilities at Dubai Autodrome and arrange unlimited private test sessions throughout the four-month period.

2018-19 Gulf Sportscar Championship Schedule:

Nov. 16 – Dubai

Dec. 7 – Dubai

Jan. 25 – Dubai

Feb. 8 – Yas Marina

Feb. 22 – Yas Marina