Ford GT in the Spa 24 hours 2010

[GT101]

Thanks for the support guys. We're still in it. 1pm - 3hours remaining. Alex is out of the car and Matt has taken over again. The pace at the sharp end has been pretty ferocious all the way through. There are a lot of cars out now. We're trying to maintain a good pace without taking any risks, the car behind us is now 7 laps adrift so the pressure is off a bit. It's hot and sunny as you can see by the state of Alex after his single stint this is hard work:

Matt is in the car now and has radioed to say he's "happy" to do a double stint. This keeps the pitstop times down and is a help for all of us. Hats off to him.

So GT status with 3 hours remaining:

99 Marc VDS GT 8th overall - 2nd in class GT3
71 RPM Mountune GT 14th overall - 6th in class GT3

Only 3 more updates until it's over........

 

[PL510*Jeff]

Two hours to go and the GT's are still racing.

Well Done.

 

[GT101]

2pm - 22 hours complete, just 2 to go. In a way this is the toughest part - everyone is tired, no one wants to make a mistake and for anyone to go out this far through would be a real blow. Everything's pretty much static for position over the last hour - no change to either GT ranking. Matt has stayed in the car for the second stint as promised. The pit crew are counting down the hours with every stop. Still sunny in the pit lane as demonstrated by our glamorous lady Team Manager Reah:

For the record the 1st place car is the BMW Factory car No 79 as it has been for a very long time now, 2nd is the BMS Porsche GT2 who are our pit neighbours and have done a really solid job so far. 3rd is the IMSA Porsche No 16.....

Next update on the 24 hour GT blog in one hour - when there will only be one more left to go.

Our fingers are very crossed.

 

[GT101]

So we're into the last hour - counting down in minutes now. For the last Driver change (Alex in to replace Matt) we brought the car into the garage to check brakes, top up oil and just be cautious, we have a comfortable lead still over the next car so it's best to be safe. Brakes didn't need to doing as it turns out.

Martin Bartek is in the pit garage with us know as count down to zero. One more driver change to do with fuel - Peter to get in to finish the race.

You'll notice the black T-shirts we have carry a memory for Robin Mortimer, Alex's father and the founder of RPM Motorsport who died sadly just a few weeks ago, this race has been run in memory of him.

55 minutes to go now........

 

[The One]

Good showing for the Fords, excellent for the new kids (RPM). Thanks Mountune for your time, stay in touch.

 

[GT101]

The final entry. 24 hours - Done.

Thanks to everyone who showed us support here at Spa, and across the globe through this great Forum. Final position for us 14th overall and 6th in Class GT3. We're happy with that.

Congratulations to Team RPM in particular Alex, his family, Matt Griffin and Peter Bamford who had the unique experience of taking the chequered flag in his first ever Spa 24 hour race. You all deserve all the praise you get.

Alex, his Mum, girlfreind Katie and Matt Griffin celebrate the finish.

Thanks to the entire RPM team - I won't name them all - they know who they are.

Congratulations to Marc VDS too for putting a Ford GT on the second step of the GT3 podium.

For the record the race was won by the Porsche of BMS our pit neighbours. Well done guys.

I'll update this thread with some shots from a professional photographer when we have them.

Thanks for reading.
Dave Jones.

 

[Joe Dozzo]

Great job RPM! And thanks so much for all the updates. I really enjoyed checking in here between watching the live feed (thanks One).

Also, congratulations to VDS. Well Done!

 

[RALPHIE]

Excellent reporting & photos. An exciting event on a wonderful circuit - congratulations to RPM & Marc VDS on completion of a grueling race. I hope you receive accolades from The Ford Motor Company for your efforts. Well Done!!

:thumbsup :cheers :thumbsup

 

[GT101]

A few shots from the excellent professional photographer Jurgen Evers:

The car will be back in action in just over a weeks time at Silverstone in the next round of the British GT Championship. A podium in the last event at Rockingham so we're hoping for a good result.