24 Hours of Spa

[RALPHIE]

The 61st edition of the 24 Hours of Spa is, since 2001, undoubtedly the most prestigious meeting of the FIA GT championship. The race, taking place this year on 25th and 26th July (this weekend) must definitely be counted as one of the classics in the motorsport world, which is why it has a special appeal for teams, drivers, the media and the fans.

It will be streamed live on http://gt1live.tv/ and Matech will be there with 2 FGT-R's (#121 & 122), and the Belgian Marc VDS Racing Team is also entering another (#40).

 

[The One]

I love this stuff. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[HeritageBruce]

Thanks for the link Ralphie, I've bookmarked the site and will try to catch some of the action this weekend.

 

[The One]

Speed + Endurance

Well they have got the speed, now for the long haul.
But maybe not so good in the rain.

 

[Midnite Blu]

7AM Start PDT..Sat.

Ready for the start?? Watch live also with live timing......GO BLU

 

[The One]

Gt1?

EDT
10:59
What happen to the GT1 car?
1:56
Looks like they lost a gear box. But are still working on it.
3:15
No.40 GT1 back out. 103 Laps down. No.121 in first place GT3. 15th overall. No. 122 in GT3,third. 18th overall.
10:00
American Sports Car on top
Ford GTR 1st in GT3
"The past and future of GT racing."

 

[RALPHIE]

This link will give the live streaming and the current positions on the same page:

http://www.fiagt.com/live.php

Sky looks very dark - looks like rain is imminent.

 

[luxgt]

I was there this afternoon. I spoke to Eric de doncker en bas Leinders drivers of the ford gt. from Marc VDS. The ford gt's are simply the most beautiful cars at SPA. Did you know the engines at Spa are athmospheric? They removed the supercharger. Gave too much problems De Doncker told me

 

[luxgt]

some pictures







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[luxgt]

and some more

 

[RALPHIE]

...Did you know the engines at Spa are athmospheric? They removed the supercharger....

I believe the GT rules require a normally aspirated engine with a maximum displacement of 5.0 liters.

Another major difference is the use of a Hewland sequential gearbox in place of the Ricardo's in our cars.

You are very correct about the Ford GTs being the best looking of all the cars racing. I think 2nd place would go to the Aston Martins.

 

[roketman]

They do look sweet !!!
The front wings are massive!
That must be a hoot to drive .
I figure the competition is scared of the Gt's reputation!
I'm sure they don't ask ,is it a mustang?Not that there is anything wrong with a mustang!
Good luck boys !!
Go blue !!

 

[AlohaGT]

luxgt, many thanks for the photos. Impressive.

 

[RALPHIE]

07-26-09 Update:

Update:

Final Results for the Ford GT-R's:

#121 in 10th overall - 1st in Class G3, Mutsch/Martin/Wyss/Hennerici (Matech) - Go Blu
#40 in 27th overall - 7th in Class GT1, Leinders/Kuppens/Doncker (MarcVDS Racing Team)
#122 in 30th overall - 9th in Class G3, Oliveira Jr/Negrao/Mattheis/Lunardi (Matech)


Here are some more photos from the GT1 Web Site's gallery.

The #40 Belgian team's GT-R finished 241 laps behind the winning Corvette ZO6. The #121 & 122 Matech cars were 40 and 318 laps behind the winner.

 

[RALPHIE]

More Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from the race at Spa - courtesy of the "Ultimatecarpage.com":

 

[PHXGT]

Wow!! Simply the best looking GT around. How lucky we are.

 

[roketman]

Gt's rule !!!all others drowl

 

[STORMCAT]

A big congratulations to Sascha and all the Matech Teams! :thumbsup
I have had the privilege to see and sit in one of there GT3 Spec cars !! I would love to see one on those GT1 bad boys first hand !!! :banana