24 Hours of Spa

24 Hours of Spa. It is a prestigious endurance auto racing event held annually at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the Ardennes region of Belgium. First run in 1924, it is one of the world's oldest and most challenging sports car racing competitions, forming a cornerstone of the Intercontinental GT Challenge and the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. The race tests the durability of GT3-specification cars and the skill of professional and amateur drivers over a grueling day and night of racing on the demanding, high-speed circuit.

History

The event originated in 1924 as a touring car endurance test on public roads connecting the towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot. Early editions were dominated by manufacturers like Alfa Romeo and Bugatti. After a hiatus during World War II, the race resumed in 1948, evolving into a major event for sports prototypes and GT cars through the latter half of the 20th century. Key moments include its inclusion in the World Sportscar Championship and the tragic 1973 edition, marred by a fatal accident involving driver Marsilio Pasotti. The modern era, beginning in 2001, saw the race transition exclusively to GT racing, becoming a central round of the FIA GT Championship and later the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Event format

The race follows a traditional 24-hour format, beginning on a Saturday afternoon and concluding 24 hours later. The entry list is divided into professional and amateur classes, including Pro, Silver Cup, Pro-Am, and Gold Cup categories. A unique feature is the implementation of a Code 60 procedure instead of traditional full-course yellow periods, requiring all cars to slow to 60 km/h on track. The schedule includes multiple practice and qualifying sessions, with the top 20 cars from qualifying advancing to a dramatic Super Pole shootout to determine the starting grid. Driver changes, pit stop strategy, and managing the variable Ardennes weather are critical to success.

Notable winners

Legendary drivers have triumphed, with Belgian icon Jacky Ickx holding the record of five victories, including wins for Ford and Porsche. Other multiple winners include Olivier Gendebien, Jean-Michel Martin, and Eric van de Poele. Famous marques have also left their mark; BMW is the most successful manufacturer, while Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi have frequented the podium. Recent notable winning teams include WRT with Audi Sport, Rowe Racing with BMW, and GPX Racing with Porsche. Victories are often shared among driver lineups, such as the trio of Laurens Vanthoor, Dries Vanthoor, and Frédéric Vervisch in 2022.

Cars and manufacturers

Since 2001, the race has been exclusively for FIA-homologated GT3 cars, creating intense competition between manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bentley. These cars are based on production models but heavily modified for racing, featuring advanced aerodynamics, sequential gearboxes, and ABS. Teams such as AKKA-ASP, Emil Frey Racing, and Iron Lynx operate factory-supported entries. The Balance of Performance (BoP) is a critical technical regulation, managed by the FIA and SRO Motorsports Group, to equalize the performance of different car models.

Cultural impact

Dubbed the "Ardennes Marathon," the race is a major event in Belgian culture, drawing over 70,000 spectators to the circuit and the surrounding fan campsites. It is a highlight of the global GT racing calendar, alongside the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The event is extensively covered by media, including live broadcasts on Eurosport and GT World YouTube channel. Its history and challenge have cemented its reputation, inspiring video game inclusions in the Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport franchises. The race also serves as a key commercial and promotional platform for automotive brands within the SRO Motorsports Group ecosystem.

Category:24-hour auto races Category:Sports car races in Belgium Category:Recurring events established in 1924