25 Hours of Spa: Why Not? Racing is ready for the “event of the year”

Micka knows what he’s talking about. Last year, the race almost stopped when it had just started. “After an hour of racing, a competitor’s window hit the fuel tank cap of our car. We had to stop it to repair it. We then went back to the bottom of the basket, 117th position. We thought we had lost everything! But without pressure, the drivers made a fantastic comeback to finish 21st.”

A top crew to aim for the Top 15

It was nine places better than last year. And if we bet for a 12th place this season? “We sign right away, laughs our interlocutor. The objective is clearly to improve our previous result. If we can sign a Top 15, that would be superb. If we can do better, we don’t spit on it. In a race 25 hours, everything is possible. Last year, for example, there were several abandonments in the last hour. It is played on a few details and we are not allowed the slightest deconcentration.” To put the odds on its side, the Tournai team will field only one top car, the 485 (Evo 3). We will find at the wheel John De Wilde (Porsche driver), Steve Clayes, Christof Raes and Nicolas Delencre. “Only drivers who know the circuit well. Some have already gotten into it by practicing on a simulator. We are coming out of a very good rehearsal during the 8 Hours of Spa (Editor’s note: Nicolas Delencre and Christoph Raes had finished on the podium) “From our command post, we will do our best to make the best decisions. Now, we also have to hope that all the planets align.”

Why Not? Racing is also joining forces with Easy Loc to enter the 40 car (Evo 1) in the Vintage category. The crew will be made up of Patrice and Vincent Trenchant, Alexis Cauchies, Quentin Laruelle and Diego Delespeaux, who we know well from his recent participation in the Dakar. “But it will be my first on the circuit”, smiles the Rumois.

The imposing caravan took the road to Spa on Wednesday afternoon. “We have to install everything directly, because from this Thursday, we will be on track for the various free practices. There will also be the tests for our “rookie”, Diego Delespeaux. On Friday, the qualifications will be divided into two groups to avoid confusion. “Having 120 cars on the track at the same time. This leaves less chance of setting a good time. But that’s understandable for safety reasons. From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., we will have a new practice session to get used to, especially at sunset.”

The big start will be given on Saturday at 4.30 p.m. For an arrival the next day at 5.30 p.m. With what place in the end?