© Planetlemans – Marcel ten Caat
The American owned United Autosports team starts its maiden twice-around-the-clock endurance race on Saturday (July 31) from 10th and 13th positions in the GT3 category for the Spa 24 Hours (Belgium).
Richard Dean (GB) set a personal quickest time of 2m 25.745s in the #68 Audi R8 LMS around the magnificent 4.35-mile Belgian venue with Stefan Johansson (Sw) at the wheel the “sister” #67 Audi posting a 2m 27.220s. The United Autosports Audi GT3 sports cars start the prestigious annual race from the eighth and 11th rows of the 40-car grid.
Both “times” were set in total darkness on soft compound “slick” dry weather tires in the dying moments of the final 45mins session which finished 10mins before midnight. Spa and rain have always been traditionally and intrinsically linked and the weather Gods did not disappoint throughout the day which began at 0900hr.
The opening practice session for the 2010 Total 24 Hours of Spa took place in torrential rain which eased off midway through although the track remained wet. The afternoon pre-qualifying trial saw less than one third of the 90mins practice run using “slicks”.
The 63rd running of the 24 Hours of Spa on Saturday at 1600hr after a 20mins warm-up (0910-0930).
Racefans can follow the progress of United Autosports throughout the race:
Twitter: @unitedautosport or Facebook: unitedautosports
Love that an american team is participating. Have seen them have some tough luck in the GT3 races so far this year. Only wish they were driving an american “made” car.
GO USA ! !
If you are looking for the Total 24 Hours of Spa live streaming video, you can go to http://www.total24hours.com/24h-spa/fr/index.cfm. Scroll down to the GT3 Video Player and click on the live stream. You can have live timing open from the same site in a different window as well.