24 Hours of Spa – 6 hours: fierce duel between Marc VDS and Manthey Racing

How heavy and hot it is at the 24 Hours of Spa! While the race has just entered its second quarter, the mechanics and drivers have already suffered greatly from the heat on the legendary Ardennes circuit. And as usual, the weather conditions in Spa-Francorchamps are capricious since violent winds and storms are expected to arrive very soon.

While waiting to discover what is hidden in the threatening clouds which are currently covering the Belgian forest, a battle of all the gods is in full swing at the front between Marc VDS Racing, which has two cars in the top 3, and there Porsche 997 GT3 R n°150 from Manthey Racing. At the end of 6 hours of racing, it was finally the No. 4 BMW of the Catsburg-Palttala-Moser trio which led the debates with 1 lap in advance, but one stop less, over the trio of official Porsche drivers Lieb- Lietz-Pillet. In the #4 Z3, Martin, Buurman and Leinders currently hold third place on the podium. And when we remember the incredible performances of the first mentioned in the rain last year, it is obvious that we must keep a very close eye on this car. Same observation for the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 n°84 from HTP Motorsport of Schneider, Buhk and Götz, on an offbeat strategy from the very start of the race.

The Ferrari stand out, the McLaren struggle

In the Pro-Am, the #458 Ferrari 50 Italia of the experienced Hommerson-Machiels-Bertolini-Cioci from Af Corse dominates the proceedings ahead of Thiriet by TDS Racing. Very energetic since its debut in Blancpain this season, the French team is one lap ahead of the last Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 from the Nissan GT Academy still in the race, the No. 35.

Among the Gentlemen, another French team stands out: Sofrev-ASP ​​is currently at the reigns of its category with its No. 458 Ferrari 20 Italia from Blanchemain-Beaubelique-Goueslard-Bouvy.

After Alvaro Parente?s excellent start, the #4 McLaren MP12-7C lost considerable time in the pits due to its alternator. Hexis is definitely not in good luck since his other car, the No. 107 of Panis-Cazenave-Debard-Ledogar, also lost time after encountering brake problems. Still on the track, the two English GTs are 44th and 34th respectively.