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

[tux]

Hopefully there aren't many tyre issues, both audi and lamborghini have concerns.

[FIRE]

Green !!!

[airbusA346]

#22 stopped on track.

[J Jay]

#22 stopped on track.

[gert]

track limit warnings already (Bortolotti, Ortelli)

[Mitchi_S]

I am SOO happy to see the Emil Frey Jaguars up front after all these years.

[tux]

Something that amused me was that on the animated grid graphics at the start of the race, they had a 997 GT3R representing the Porsches and a DBR9 for the Aston 😂

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Mitchi_S

I am SOO happy to see the Emil Frey Jaguars up front after all these years.

YEP!

[FIRE]

Last warning for Buhk before penalty. LOL Still more than 23 hours to go.

[gert]

Early pitstop for the 63 Grasser Lambo

[bentley speed 8]

Originally Posted by tux

Something that amused me was that on the animated grid graphics at the start of the race, they had a 997 GT3R representing the Porsches and a DBR9 for the Aston 😂

They used a DBR9 for the Jaguar as well. The Ferrari is also the old 458 GT3.

[gert]

first drive-through for track limits after 57 minutes.
72 is your winner.

58 Next (Rob Bell) after 59 minutes.

[Akrapovic]

Hour 1

Giancarlo Fisichella leads the Spa 24 comfortably after the first hour, having pulled a 10 second lead over the second placed Porsche of Kevin Estre. The first hour has been run without major incident, despite the best efforts of Buhk in the HTP Mercedes who took to the grass on the run down to Eau Rouge.

On the move...

#55 Kaspersky Motorsport not only has the lead, but in the hands of Fisichella, also has the pace. The car is becoming a real contender for the win.

The #8 M-Sport Bentley has made up the most ground. Maxime Soulet has piloted the car up to 8th place, currently sitting behind Pro-Am leader, Johnny Adam.

A bad start for Buhk dropped the HTP Mercedes a few spots. The car has made them back and more, showing good speed in traffic.

Johnny Adam is not fussed about the class system and has taken the car up to 7th overall. The Aston Martin enjoys a 30 second lead over the 2nd placed #912 Porsche.

Bad times for...

After an overnight rebuild, the #22 stopped on track and required marshal assistance. The car eventually made it back to the pits, but is now 8 laps down.

The #00 was also rebuilt after a qualifying accident and given a 120 second penalty. This cost the car a lap, and it doesn't appear to have the pace to get back on the lead lap.

#77 Barwell Lamborghini joined the race late after technical problems on the grid. They eventually entered the event 7 laps down.

#48 HTP Mercedes had a spin at La Source, dropping it to the back of the Pro field.

#12 Ombra Racing Lamborghini was given a stop and go penalty for contact with the #27 Lamborghini. Michele Beretta made contact with Luca Filippi at Les Combes.

Keep an eye out for...

Track limits are already an issue. The #84 Mercedes and #42 McLaren are already on a final warning.

There is a train of Audis slowly making their way through the field. Watch for them to improve further as the race goes on.

#50 Ferrari pitted half an hour into the race, putting it on an alternative strategy. There did not appear to be a problem for Pier Guidi, so it should be interesting to see how it pans out.

#63 Lamborghini was in a comfortable second place when it pitted 10 minutes early. The car looked healthy, so presumably this was to avoid the pit lane rabble.

Pit stops are due between 60 and 65 minutes into the race. Strategy should start becoming important.

Report: Dave Ellis / theRacingLine.net

[tux]

Anyone else see the Akka ASP Mercedes get a good amount of air at the top of Eau Rouge?

[airbusA346]

Drive through penalties coming thick and fast now.

[Mitchi_S]

LOL @ Bentley and 488 on the "Camel" straight ... that nudge.

[airbusA346]

#99 going slow.

[J Jay]

Sims trundling round with a possible puncture.

[tux]

Check out the air the AKKA Mercedes got at the top of Eau Rouge, pretty alarming sight.

https://twitter.com/tux1234/status/891322283410718720

[bentley speed 8]

#8 seems to be on fire at the moment. Passing cars left and right

[airbusA346]

They certainly like giving the top straight line speeds to the bricks (Bentley, Nissan etc).

[gert]

Pierguidi from 1st to 3rd in 1 lap

Pierguidi in a lap later

[gert]

27 playing roadblock for a lap and a half

[airbusA346]

MASSIVE CRASH!!

[J Jay]

Massive shunt for Lathouras' Ferrari at Eau Rouge.