[FIA GT Race] FIA GT Total 24hrs at Spa (Round 5) - Aug 3rd 2008 - Entrants, Testing and Race

[rich07]

I wonder if we might see a Aston in GT2?? Wasnt it commented on RLM that Aston Martin would like to see a Vantage in GT2?

[c6rfan34]

I was on badboyvettes.com during the 24 hours and they had a live chat up. the guy that runs corvettemotorsport.com was on there and he said that at that point in time phoenix was only going to run one car. Then Johnny O came on and the guy told him that phoenix was lookin for drivers for the other car. Johnny said he was interested in the ride so well see what happens. maybe he'll drag his buddies from that factory over with him. this is all speculation, but i did see the discussion go down.

[The Badger]

I'd love to see rocket Ron at Spa , love to hear what he thinks about the track . I remember the first time he drove at Le Mans , the pit crew said that he was "WooHooing" all the way down the Mulsanne !!!

Yeah ..... Fellows-O'Connell at Spa would be brilliant .

Will any of the other Corvette teams recieve any support from Pratt & Miller for the event ?

[Marcel ten Caat]

Phoenix could go either way. Planetlemans initially had a 1-car operation on the list, but after some rumours (like the one from c6rfan34) and the fact that double car could mean double points for the team championship the second car was put back again.

Last year at Zolder they entered a second car to score points in an attempt to win the title, with the championship this close until now they would probably be silly not to enter their second car.

But in the end...$$$ talks.

[minimangler]

Rodger, there's a thread in the trackside forum dedicated to your very need

[CarolK]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

looking forward to my first Ardennes 24 and especially the sound of the Gillet in the forests. Anyone got any tips for a first-timer?

We went last year and headed back again this year. If you get sleepy, there's always the covered grandstands across from the garages to spread out across the seats. . . guaranteed you will have noisy neighbors! There's a long lamp standard behind the new F1 paddock area which makes a nice seat too - great place to watch the absolutely awesome fireworks display that commenced about 23:30 and lasted for about 45 minutes or so. About 20:30 the hot air ballons started asending from the kart track area - really pretty sight as they went over the track and disappeared beyond the trees.The F1 stands at Pouhon were not there last year - lots of folks camping on the flat area where they are normally located. The restaurant at the kart area was open (sorry, don't remember closing time). The most awesome part of the event was sitting at the little restaurant behind the grandstands across from the pits having a sauerkraut/sausage sandwich at false dawn/dawn watching/listening to the cars as they came from Eau Rouge up Radillion. There's a large screen tv in the paddock area where the Ferrari Challenge cars lined up to enter the track right by the tunnel that takes you into the village area (you have to go thru the gate that's normally guarded during the F1 race). Another great time was spent in the MC-12 garages during the race and during pit stops - just remember to stay behind the red line.We've been to many F1 races at Spa but they can't remotely compare to this event....total access except the suites above the garages and the paid hospitality areas (big white tents). A great way to spend 24 hours (don't forget your umbrella!).

Enjoy,
Carol

[Tim the Grey]

Best memory from last year?

Standing above the pits, down at the bottom end. Free access!

Being IN the PK pit around 2AM for a stop.

Sitting in the cafe behind the pit grandstand, eating frites, drinking coffee, watching cars climbing Raidillon in the rain, listening to Lambos howling out onto Kemmel.
We meant to visit the BAR over Kemmel, but somehow it just never happened...

Just so VERY laid back, and friendly.

LOVE the place, but just cannot do it this year, unless I sell either the bike, or the cameras!

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

the CR Scuderia line up for Spa is huge, as strong as the "factory" AF Corse squad and nice to see Dirk Muller back !

[SALEEN S7R]

Indeed both CR cars have very strong driving line up's, so too though does Scuderia Ecosse. Looking at this years entry list there is potentially 7 cars with a realistic chance of winning in GT2, GT1 competition is looking good too with around 9 cars in the class realistically capable of winning although my money would be on either the #1 Vitaphone MC12 or the #10 Gigawave DBR9. Fingers crossed too that there will be further additions to the entry list.

[minimangler]

Originally Posted by Subaru_WRX_STi

the CR Scuderia line up for Spa is huge, as strong as the "factory" AF Corse squad and nice to see Dirk Muller back !

Mr Niarchos knows what he is doing

Tips for first timers? Watch out for those who take minimal french as an excuse to overcharge...ask Tim about that
Also...take a walk round the whole circuit. It's miles, but it's worth it. And if you haven't popped into a CRS garage before, do it, they're friendly, and good for a chat- especially Chris Niarchos himself.
Eat some frites! Guaranteed to be the best chips you'll ever eat.
Watch the start from Eau Rouge- I didn't, and regretted it.
Go into Spa the town- it's lovely.

Have a good one on me, as my finances went pop

[The Badger]

Who's this Juniper Racing outfit that has a 997 entered ? Are they normally VLN ?

[Dead-Eye]

Australia based. No VLN, but Ring 24h.
http://www.juniperracing.com.au/

[Sportscarguy08]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Maybe the Ollies and Jan will be in the second Phoenix C6.R. (?) After all it is carrying GM sponsorship on it (GMAC).


L.P.

Unfortunately the second car is filled. My friend who works for Corvette Motorsport (Europe) was in talks with O Connell around Le Mans. But Phoenix secured from what I was told 4 drivers for the 2nd car pretty quickly. It will be an all German lineup in that car. Dont give up hope though, as any changes might see a factory driver. The main obstacle is Phoenix has a very tight budget for Spa, and to be eligible, would need to have the drivers themselves handle all the costs.

Gavin is looking elsewhere that weekend for racing, so dont expect to see him there. The main car will have the 2007 lineup. Also Corvette Motorsport will be at Spa with Phoenix and will have TONS of good stuff on their site including a live 24 hour C6R onboard streamed exclusively and pre race week videos as well.

Live coverage will be shown on that site as well for this weekends race....FYI.

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

GT1 competition is looking good too with around 9 cars in the class realistically capable of winning although my money would be on either the #1 Vitaphone MC12 or the #10 Gigawave DBR9. Fingers crossed too that there will be further additions to the entry list.

I believe the Jet Alliance DBR9 has a better chance than Gigawave car and Phoenix Vette should be in the top 3 at the end.

DK

[rich07]

Planetlemans entrylist has Andrew Thompson in with Gigawave, its a good driver lineup for them with Darren Turner joining Peters and Simonsen. Anyone have an idea who the four German drivers in the second Phoenix Vette might be?

[Sportscarguy08]

Originally Posted by rich07

Anyone have an idea who the four German drivers in the second Phoenix Vette might be?

Not sure, but should have a lineup for you Monday or Tuesday. I will ask, but they are not in front of their emails since they are in Germany this weekend and will take time.

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

Originally Posted by Sportscarguy08

Unfortunately the second car is filled. My friend who works for Corvette Motorsport (Europe) was in talks with O Connell around Le Mans. But Phoenix secured from what I was told 4 drivers for the 2nd car pretty quickly. It will be an all German lineup in that car.

so no factory drivers for them, I really hoped that Berretta/Gavin/Magnusen will be present in the 2nd C6.R

[panoz.lmp1]

SO, now we have Jos menten as possible Phoenix driver (LINK) and Soheil Ayari/Bruno Hernandez (their FFSA GT drivrs) in the SRT Corvette? (LINK)

[minimangler]

Jos Menten isn't German.
Timo Scheider? Uwe Alzen? There's two off the top of my head that could do a good job.

[dxk1]

I noticed somewhere, can't remember where, that there was a possibility that DKR would enter one of their Corvettes at Spa. Has anyone got any more information on that?

DK

[Sportscarguy08]

Originally Posted by dxk1

I noticed somewhere, can't remember where, that there was a possibility that DKR would enter one of their Corvettes at Spa. Has anyone got any more information on that?

DK

My friend at CMS (CorvetteMotorSport) asked and its not in their budget...but u never know, they might. I would love to see another C6R after seeing 2 strong cars pull out. He emailed the team that owns the ex Peka Racing C5R team to see if they want to run...

Also I will have a lineup for you soon...CMS might announce it before I am allowed to say per request from the team. After all that site was the first to announce the pairing with GMAC and Phoenix before anybody else had it, so look for it there.

[fish88]

Alexander Margaritis, Jos Menten and Robert Schlunssen will be on the #6 Phoenix Corvette. The Article on endurance says that the 4th driver might be an official Corvette driver.

http://endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5942&thold=0

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by fish88

Alexander Margaritis, Jos Menten and Robert Schlunssen will be on the #6 Phoenix Corvette. The Article on endurance says that the 4th driver might be an official Corvette driver.

http://endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5942&thold=0

Olivier Beretta, Jan Magnussen or Johnny O'Connell would be nice and official.

DK

[The Badger]

Like to see Ron Fellows in that combo .

[Sportscarguy08]

Originally Posted by dxk1

Olivier Beretta, Jan Magnussen or Johnny O'Connell would be nice and official.

DK

I think everyone will be happy with the final pick ...I am.