Who'll contest the 2010 Total Spa Francorchamps 24 Hour?

AUTOLEGEND · 9 May 2010, 01:24 (Ref:2686747)

I tried to see if a thread already exists but couldn't find one.

I know SRO's new FIA GT1 World Championship is only doing hour sprints so what was effectively the season highlight is now off the calender.

I've checked the site and all it does is talk about the 2009 event which was a great race btw.

Has anyone an idea of who will be taking part, and what cars will be used?

Is it going to be GT1, GT2, GT3, or are we going back to the true touring car days of 2000 and below?

rich07 · 9 May 2010, 03:21 (Ref:2686777)

GT2 will be the top class with definitely GT3 and possibly GT4 (?). Personally I dont want it go to back to the touring car days, I enjoy Spa more as a GT race.

Its such a shame that GT1 aint the headline act anymore...

911targa · 9 May 2010, 03:25 (Ref:2686778)

only IMSA confirmed two 997s at the beginning of this year,as far as i konw.
#70 for 3 gentlemen
#76 Raymond-Pilet-Dumas(they hope so but havent been proved by Dumas yet)

some potencial entries
GT2 class
ProSpeed 997*2,#75 as factory car,#98 for gentlemen
AF Corse 430*2
CRS 430*2
Felbermayr 997*2(pending on whether they do well at LM.last year they planed to race in Belgium but cancelled the plan after they got a DNF@LM)
Trackspeed 997*2
BMW M3*2
a BMS 997

GT3 class
ProSpeed GT3R*2
Muehlner GT3R*2
and some Fords,BMWs as well as Audis in this class,not sure which team will run them at the moment

G3 class
a Jetlliance 997 Cup

dxk1 · 9 May 2010, 17:36 (Ref:2687320)

The Spa 24 hours has been such a great race over the last few years and it has really turned into a place where the GT1s could be featured and win a 24 hour race. With Ratel's new format, it just seems to diminish the possibilities where GT1s could really shine. If enough GT2 show up, it might still; perhaps, be a great race. It would certainly be great if a GT2 Corvette or two could be entered, but I would surmise there is very little chance of that right now.

DK

Birddog07 · 9 May 2010, 22:25 (Ref:2687533)

Well, the GT2 Euro Cup is for the race win, so I can see alot of the ACO teams contesting it. GT3 and GT4 it is a regular part of the championship, so should see all the normal season entries.

I think GT2, GT3, and GT4 this year is what the top three classes should have been for awhile. In the LMS Spa Qualy, leading GT2 car was only 3 seconds slower than leading GT1. The current GT1 is pretty much dead, with all the manufactuers only wanting GT2 efforts. Give GT2 a few GT1-esque mods (carbon brakes, modified production engine) and less restrictor and we have our new GT1. GT3 to be the new GT2, pro am drivers still, customer cars with no seasonal development.

Speed-King · 9 May 2010, 22:51 (Ref:2687556)

Spa isn't part of the regular season for either GT3 or GT4... so it will be interesting to see what kind of field appears on the entry lists.
There were plans to allow the silhouette cars from the Belgian Touring Car Series into the race this year or to switch to a VLN-type ruleset that would allow all kinds of touring cars and "lesser" GTs to run alongside the SRO-GT-classes, but both ideas were afaik vetoed by the SRO.

AndrewF31 · 10 May 2010, 23:05 (Ref:2688314)

Not exactly the ultimate source of info but Wikipedia mentions GT2 cars will be limited to 1 Professional in the lineup? That means we'll have 3 amateurs in each car, or 2 + 1 pro?

Victor_RO · 11 May 2010, 05:05 (Ref:2688407)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewF31

Not exactly the ultimate source of info but Wikipedia mentions GT2 cars will be limited to 1 Professional in the lineup? That means we'll have 3 amateurs in each car, or 2 + 1 pro?

That was in Ratel's GT2 Championship which never got off the ground because of that.

GT2-R · 11 May 2010, 08:22 (Ref:2688449)

Some Belcar-teams have let know that they'll contest the 24 Hours Of Spa this year

.

Speed-King · 11 May 2010, 09:01 (Ref:2688467)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT2-R

Some Belcar-teams have let know that they'll contest the 24 Hours Of Spa this year

.

And then skip the 24 hours at Zolder, I presume...

gino · 12 May 2010, 22:35 (Ref:2689421)

Dr. Mario Theissen says in german tv today that BMW will start at the 24h Spa for sure.

And United Autosports too with Mark Blundell in a Audi R8.

marcel82 · 12 May 2010, 22:46 (Ref:2689428)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

And then skip the 24 hours at Zolder, I presume...

previous editions of Spa 24 hours races had belcar teams as guests, who also entered the 24 of Zolder race that year. it's good practise for them, and both very attractive to sponsors

NaBUru38 · 13 May 2010, 00:35 (Ref:2689480)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewF31

Not exactly the ultimate source of info but Wikipedia mentions ...

Wikipedia is not a source! It's a pit where gearheads pour the latest news, and rarely give sources for them.

rich07 · 13 May 2010, 02:09 (Ref:2689513)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gino

Dr. Mario Theissen says in german tv today that BMW will start at the 24h Spa for sure.

Great news. I'm guessing two cars. It will be good to see them take the fight to Porsche and Ferrari. It would be really nice to see Spyker there but havent heard anything from them on this race.

AndrewF31 · 13 May 2010, 20:26 (Ref:2689956)

Who decides what will race at the 24 hours this year? Is it still SRO? And have they already confirmed what cars can enter?

Having the Bimmers there will be nice. Hopefully, we'll have another battle of the GT2s/GT3s after Nurburgring and Le Mans.