FIA GT - Spa 24 Hours - Pre-Race Paddock Notes

There are currently due to be three pitlane starters, both PMB Porsches and the #120 Rosso Corsa Ferrari, Michael Cullen explained to dsc that the car had suffered electrical problems in qualifying and the team were concerned about the ultimate fitness of the engine.

The team had a 430 Challenge car at the circuit as a running spares source and opted to change the engine “It’s probably 10-15 bhp down on the other engine but the important thing is to be confident that it can make the finish.”

Cullen and his regular driving partner Paddy Shovlin will share the #120 car with Grand-Am regulars Mark Patterson and Peter Ludwig – Ludwig is enjoying his first taste of racing at Spa but perhaps not the behaviour of some competitors out on track: “There’s a LOT of blocking going on out there – If we pulled that sort of thing back home we’d be black flagged for sure.  The track though is great and it’s a real honour to be here.”

In addition to their pitlane start the car must also take a drive through penalty after the first lap is completed. The Rosso Corsa car is also the only G3 runner on Pirellis, the Italian rubber apparently somewhat harder on their slicks but the wet rubber perhaps holding a clear advantage.  Could be woth keeping an eye on BMS again!

Sources close to the Corvette Racing camp have explained why the three C6.Rs are housed at the bottom of the old pits (the Maseratis are at the end of the F1 pits) Allegedly the different elevation of the pits will give the Vette boys a minor (1.4 second!) advantage in fuel flow plus more preparation time should any of the cars have an issue.

It’s happy birthday to Mike Hezemans today – He’s 40!  Unbelievable – With those looks we’d have put him at perhaps 52 or 53! A very happy birthday Mike.