100 Years of the 24 Hours of Spa: The Event
- Camilla Coletta
- Jun 28, 2024
- 2 min read
After the Paul Ricard leg, it's time to return to the track for the GT World Challenge with a significant event that will be particularly special this year.
The 24 Hours of Spa is one of the most famous endurance races in the world, and this year it celebrates its centenary. The first edition took place in 1924 on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, just one year after the inaugural edition of the queen of 24-hour races: Le Mans.
This year, 66 cars will be on the track, including 7 Ferraris divided among 5 different teams. The teams are categorized as follows: 24 in Pro, 21 in Bronze, 6 in Gold, 5 in Pro/Am, and 10 in Silver.
Like any historic race, the 24 Hours of Spa has undergone many changes over the years. In 1924, the course was 14.863 km long and ran on the public roads of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot, covering about 127 laps. The course was modified in 1953 (when the race became part of the World Sportscar Championship) and again in 1979, reducing its length to the current 7 km.
The start of the race
In 1966, Jacques Bernard Ickx won the race, and this year, he will be the one to start the centennial race. The Belgian driver, who got into motorsport thanks to his father, debuted at Spa Francorchamps in 1964 but faced engine problems that allowed him to finish only in fourteenth place. Fifty-eight years after his victory, Jacky Ickx will be back on the Spa track on Saturday, the 29th, at 16:30, to wave the Belgian flag in front of the GT3 cars.
A 360º event
The 24 Hours of Spa is not just a race; it is a 360º event with numerous side activities. This year, 24 such activities have been organized. These include more than 80 historic touring and GT cars from 1966 to 2013, thanks to Peter Auto; numerous activities for the public like a track walk open to anyone with a ticket; concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night with special guests; behind-the-scenes access to the circuit for fans; and an on-track karting session. The organizers, as they have done since the first edition, strive to put fans at the center of the event and improve their experience each year. This year, they are adding new grandstands at Raidillon, Bus Stop, and La Source.
Don't miss updates on our Instagram page, as we will bring you exclusive content from the centenary of the 24 Hours of Spa.
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