[FIA GT Race] 2017 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps

[Akrapovic]

Photo: Blancpain
A series of FCY incidents has allowed the #90 AKKA ASP Mercedes to take the lead of the race. Helped by a little bit of luck, the team made the right calls at the right time and moved to the front of the pack during the night.

The chasing pack has been shuffled behind as teams made different calls at different times. The #63 Lamborghini now sits second, #2 Audi third and #55 Ferrari is fourth. The Ferrari is still the fastest car on the circuit, so expect to wake up and see it near the front as dawn breaks.

Worth a mention is the improved BoP for this years event. At time of posting, the top 5 positions are occupied by 5 different manufacturers. No team or car is enjoying a big advantage over the rest of the field.*

On the move…

#90 AKKA ASP Mercedes has moved to the lead during pit stops. The next Mercedes is down in 6th, the #85 HTP AMT GT3.

#63 has leap frogged the #55 in the stops. The Lamborghini and Ferrari have been fighting for the lead for most of the race.

The #23 Nissan is out of sequence in the pit stops again, but on fresh tyres the car is setting fast sectors.*

Bad times for…

#912 sustained heavy damage to the left front at La Source. The car is still in the garage.

#56 RMS Porsche has been recovered on a flatbed. Reports that it was involved in an incident with the #7 Bentley. The Bentley is under investigation for the incident.

TF Sport have apparently suffered an injury to one of their mechanics. The #117 clipped a mechanic whilst pitting, which is why they were given the 3 minute stop and go early in the race. Waiting on confirmation from TF Sport on the crew members condition.

Keep an eye out for…

The #8 Bentley, #23 Nissan and #1 Audi are all running together (when the pit stops sync up). All 3 cars are out of position and very fast. Watch for them to recover during the night.

The Pro-Am lead cars are now back on the lead lap, but only just. The #16 Black Falcon AMG GT3 currently leads.

Report: Dave Ellis / theRacingLine.net

[gert]

90 and 8 in.
Interesting battle at the front with 5 cars close together.

[gert]

#2 Audi back to the front after the latest stops.

2 - 63 - 90 - 55 - 8 - 1 within 30 seconds

[Articus]

Only a matter of time before the 117 Porsche gets back on the lead lap!

[gert]

Damage to the 42 McLaren.
88 went missing. Burried in/under the tires in sector 2.

FCY. Will be SC fairly soon.

[gert]

Originally Posted by Articus

Only a matter of time before the 117 Porsche gets back on the lead lap!

It is on the lead lap now. And in 10th overall.

SC in this lap.

[Articus]

117 Porsche back on the lead lap!

edit: then they pit. Getting close.

[gert]

Safety Car back out for the #15 Mercedes.

[ascarracinguk]

Great race so far. Really tight at the front and have no idea who will win. Seems like every time Bentley make up positions/ time they throw it away again. Currently sat at Bruxelles watching the cars fly by. What else would you do at 2am :-)

[gert]

lead 3 separated by 1.5 seconds: 63 - 55 - 2

EDIT: 63 pits

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

Currently sat at Bruxelles watching the cars fly by. What else would you do at 2am :-)

Sit in front of the TV surrounded by computers while eating a pizza - Like I am doing?

Would have liked to go to Spa again, but I had to work until 15:00 Saturday.

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by gert

lead 3 separated by 1.5 seconds: 63 - 55 - 2

EDIT: 63 pits


Sit in front of the TV surrounded by computers while eating a pizza - Like I am doing?

Would have liked to go to Spa again, but I had to work until 15:00 Saturday.

Unlucky. My first time at the 24 hours and been great so far. Very different to Le Mans! Far more old school feel to it. And very dark!!!

And I get frites with mayo. Beats your pizza 😜

[gert]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

Unlucky. My first time at the 24 hours and been great so far. Very different to Le Mans! Far more old school feel to it. And very dark!!!

And I get frites with mayo. Beats your pizza 😜

I have been there a few times, but it's been too long since my last visit.
I knew I couldn't make it, but on the bright side I'm glad I got back home in time for the start of the race.

Enjoy the frites

[gert]

#23: Not all of its lights are working

#76 and #117 had a coming together in la Source. Maybe #66 or #67 was involved as well.

--

FCY again.

18 stopped at Blanchimont.

90 in.
55 in. Calado out, Fisi in.
2 in
1 in
117 in. was up to 4th !

SC

[bentley speed 8]

Back after some sleeping. Seems it hasn't changed much at the front apart from #84 crash.

[tux]

Is there a list of retirements? Seems alot of cars are listed as "in pit" but are behind cars that are retired.

[gert]

23 going in the garage
-
SC coming in
-
117 drive through for causing an accident (with the 76 I think)
-
23 back out

[Articus]

117 Porsche never getting a break...All the way to 4th, and now a drive through penalty...

[bentley speed 8]

#117 gets a drivethrough now

[gert]

Originally Posted by tux

Is there a list of retirements? Seems alot of cars are listed as "in pit" but are behind cars that are retired.

Not really.

I'd say: 50 - 17 - 114 - 58 - 333 - 14 - 56 - 84 - 75 - 6 - 89 - 42 - 15 - 88 - 18
Not sure about 911 - 59 - 48

It's raining !!!

[Articus]

Rain Rain Rain Porsche Porsche Porsche!!

[gert]

A few drivers just set their personal best, so rain is not affecting them much: Molina, Mortara, Winkelhock

Crash between 00 Mercedes and the 3 Audi.

FCY

Costly weekend for the 00 Mercedes team.

SC
--
Add to the retired list: 911 - 3
--
Rain again!
--
53 (Butcher) off at bus stop
--
1 and 2 in garage. brake change: disc and pad change. took rain tires

[gert]

5 in the garage. Brake change too.
--
55 does another lap on slicks, and yet another one
--
top 3 remain on slicks: 55 - 4 - 63

[bentley speed 8]

Miku car officially retired.

[gert]

Originally Posted by bentley speed 8

Miku car officially retired.

And 78 as well
-
I think the 117 just took it mandatory technical stop
-
FCY
-
SC for 43 off

[tux]

Strakka #43 crashed at Blanchimont