40 cars will roll onto the seven kilometres of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps today (July 2) for the official test day for the Total 24 Hours of Spa (July 23-27).
The race forms the third round of the Blancpain Endurance Series and with extra championship points on offer for the longer race all the series regulars are due to line-up for the race later this month.
The entry list for the one day test is led – in some respects at least – by defending race winners HTP Motorsport, who have a pair of Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 entered in the Pro Cup category. Their 2013 rivals, Marc VDS Racing have a single BMW Z4 GT3 amongst the test day runners.
Numerically, the testers are led by AF Corse, who are due to have four Ferrari 458 in action during the day and Belgian Audi Club WRT who have a quartet of R8 LMS ultra set to appear, their trio of Pro Cup entrants the largest team in the premier category for the test day.
As they prepare for their first 24 hour race with the car current points’ leaders M-Sport Bentley will test with both of the Continental GT3, while ART Grand Prix, their oft rivals thus far this season, will be a high profile absentee from the day’s activity.
The race will also attract a number of teams, taking on the race as a one-off challenge. Among these are a Pro-Am Cup class Porsche from Wochenspiegel Team Manthey, the car hailing from the same stable that provided the nearest challengers to HTP Motorsport in last year’s race.
Also due to test at British teams Strata 21 and PGF-Kinfaun AMR with their Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Strata 21’s in the Pro-Am category with PGF-Kinfaun slotting into the Gentlemen Trophy class for the test day.