FIA GT - Spa 24 Hours - Hours 15 & 16

06:09 - Basseng is still pushing on hard - The Nissan Pits and the Audi has the hammer down, a 2:21.410 - up into 4th place again.  Krumm re-emerges from the routine stop and is instantly back on the attack. - a 2:18.321 is a real improvement from the GT-R and actually faster than the leading Maserati.

The delayed IMSA Perormance Porsche is lingering just outside the top 20, Patrick Pilet lapping consistently quickly at present.

06:14 - The 3rd in GT2 #97 Brixia Racing Porsche (Bryce Miller) and leading G3 #121 Ford GT (Thomas Mutsch) have a synchronised spin at Turn 18 - both continue.

The leading pair pit together, now with a 20 second gap - Basseng pits from 4th - Soulet leads but pits next time around in the #3 SRT Corvette - Lamy is now aboard the #2 Maserati and he's down in the 2:16s immediatel - Gavin emerges in theSRT Corvette and he is straight into a second place battle with Menten, still aboard the Peka C6.R, the Englishman holding an advantage as they cross the line to start lap 326 of just 0.8 seconds

06:23 - Gavin is flying - a 2:15.423 takes 1.8 seconds out of Lamy that time around and over a second out of Menten

Fassler is now back in the Audi and he's running hard too - 2:21.347 - but he can't match the Nissan's pace at this point.

06:25 - Gavin slices a further 3 seconds from Lamy's advantage- 22.7 seconds now, menten though is holding the gap to the other vette ahead - They are both closing in on the Maserati.

Fassler goes faster again in the Audi - But Krumm has the edge in this battle

06:28 - Peter Kox is up into 3rd in GT2 for the #56 CRS Ferrari

06:32 - Lamy responds - He's stemming the tide and holding the gap at around 22 seconds

Jaime Melo is putting the pressure on the GT2 competition - he posts the fastest time of the #50 AF Corse ferrari's race thus far - a 2:23.965 - His closest competition meanwhile, the sister #51 car stops at the pit exit, Barba at the wheel - Kox and Miller are two laps back.

06:40 - The Vettes turn the screw again, the gap is under 20 seconds now to the leader -

06:41 - Kox inherits second in GT2 - the #51 Ferrari is still stationary at the base of Eau Rouge - Its all over for that one - a broken gearbox - Bryce Miller moves up to third in class for Brixia.  Sugden will very soon be up to fourth for Trackspeed.

06:44 - Gavin is closing in fast - the gap is now 16.1 seconds - He gets a rap on the knuckles though "Car #3 must respect the track limits at T4 (Radillon)"

06:46 The Nissan pits with a problem - no details yet - It's in the garage - the Audi will inherit 4th place shortly

06:48 - The lead gap is down to 12.9 seconds with Menten closing on Gavin too - Ollie will have to be careful though, the Race Director wants a chat with the SRT team manager.

06:58 - Still getting closer - 11 seconds 1-2 - 0.8 - 2-3

Hour 15 Positions

Pos  No  Name  Nat  Class  Car  Laps  Stops  Gap  Diff  S1  S2  S3  Last Lap  Best Lap 
1 2 LAMY POR 1 Maserati MC 12 342  12     39.138 1:04.432 36.395 2:19.965 2:16.067
2 3 GAVIN GBR 1 Corvette Z06 342  12 10.779 10.779 39.109 1:04.882 35.683 2:19.674 2:15.423
3 4 MENTEN NED 1 Corvette Z06 342  12 11.215 0.436 38.834 1:05.313 35.196 2:19.343 2:16.462
4 111 FASSLER SUI 4 Audi R8 LMS 331  15 11 Laps 2:14.679 40.161 1:05.439 36.107 2:21.707 2:21.106
5 50 MELO BRA 2 Ferrari F430 328  13 14 Laps 11.165 42.264 1:07.301 37.580 2:27.145 2:23.965
6 35 KRUMM GER 1 Nissan GT-R 326  15 16 Laps 1:29.579 40.590 1:13.819 58.481 2:52.890 2:18.321
7 33 PIER GUIDI ITA 1 Maserati MC 12 326  12 16 Laps 14:29.565 39.359 1:04.256 35.833 2:19.448 2:16.297
8 56 KOX NED 2 Ferrari F430 324  14 18 Laps 30.852 42.704 1:07.876   2:27.336 2:24.496
9 97 MILLER USA 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 324  14 18 Laps 1:35.563 42.055 1:07.054 38.695 2:27.804 2:23.155
10 59 SUGDEN GBR 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 322  16 20 Laps   41.915     2:26.431 2:24.940
11 121 MUTSCH GER 5 Ford GT 322  15 20 Laps 28.932 42.054     2:28.596 2:22.475
12 61 CORONEL NED 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 319  12 23 Laps   42.854     2:31.045 2:27.830
13 55 QUAIFE GBR 2 Ferrari F430 317  13 25 Laps 53.133 42.234 1:08.104 37.940 2:28.278 2:25.179
14 51 CADEI ITA 2 Ferrari F430 316  13 26 Laps 23.287 41.330 1:07.584 43.965 2:32.879 2:22.603 Rtd - Gearbox
15 172 RENARD BEL 5 Aston Martin DBRS9 314  16 28 Laps 2:27.552 42.575 1:11.044 48.354 2:41.973 2:27.523
16 77 RUBERTI ITA 2 Ferrari F430 314  18 28 Laps 5:22.098 41.765 1:08.266 38.848 2:28.879 2:22.014
17 60 WESTBROOK GBR 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 313  15 29 Laps 26.061 41.605 1:07.283   2:26.351 2:24.332
18 123 LEFORT BEL 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 313  12 29 Laps 34.515 43.001     2:33.149 2:28.608
19 145 KELDERS BEL 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 308  14 34 Laps 40.352 43.024     2:34.394 2:26.578
20 161 LANIK GBR 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 305  13 37 Laps   42.105 1:08.545   2:28.268 2:24.921
21 70 PILET FRA 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 305  12 37 Laps 16.800 41.017 1:06.302   2:23.989 2:22.658
22 160 NOZIERE FRA 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 300  11 42 Laps 30.240 44.244     2:37.448 2:32.599
23 110 SMETS BEL 4 Mosler MT900 298  14 44 Laps   41.340 1:12.221   2:31.539 2:29.196
24 116 SHARP GBR 4 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup 298  11 44 Laps 42.963 43.738     2:37.941 2:32.779
25 99 DAOUDI 2 Ferrari F430 295  13 47 Laps 1:08.860 41.866 1:07.970 38.604 2:28.440 2:27.720
26 174 LESOUDIER FRA 5 BMW Alpina B6 288  13 54 Laps 1:26.320 46.603 1:19.169 1:07.668 3:13.440 2:27.122
27 120 SHOVLIN IRL 5 Ferrari 430 GT3 283  20 59 Laps 40:21.473 43.780 1:08.940 38.613 2:31.333 2:30.688
28 1 SARRAZIN FRA 1 Maserati MC 12 273  12 69 Laps 1:23.600 39.540     2:19.154 2:17.148
29 122 LUNARDI BRA 5 Ford GT 272  13 70 Laps 1:30.071 3:19.343 1:31.475 1:08.353 5:59.171 2:29.016 Rtd
30 124 KONSTANTINOU GRE 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 234  9 108 Laps 1:49.946 42.451     2:31.831 2:29.853
31 117 HIRSCHI SUI 4 Porsche 996 Bi-Turbo (GT2-R) 159  12 183 Laps   45.765 1:19.982 45.320 2:51.067 2:30.178
32 40 LEINDERS BEL 1 Ford GT (001 PT GT1) 146  8 196 Laps   41.674 3:47.114 50.200 5:18.988 2:20.711

Hour 15 Summary - Speed

Kumpen twice reset the fast lap. In G2, Margaritis bettered Fässler’s pace within the Audi team. At 6:33 comes the official word that it is daylight. After that the No. 2 Maserati picks up the pace to 2:16.067.

Lamy now has one of the strongest leads that the No. 2 Maserati has had in some time—all of 22 seconds. The two Corvettes are only 3-4 seconds apart, but second place man Gavin is ever so slightly stretching the margin.  He now owns the fast lap of the race at 2:15.423 and is reeling in the Maserati.

Michael Krumm is in fourth overall with the Nissan. It may a GT1 car, but he has to look over his shoulder at Fässler’s Audi, visible in the distance.  Once again, Fässler betters the Audi’s already scorching pace (2:21.106).

We have drama in GT2 as Barba comes to a stop at the pit exit. He retires the car - gearbox failure and cedes the podium place to Peter Kox who had earlier passed Bryce Miller for the last podium spot. Meanwhile, the No. 97 Porsche has recently set the fast lap in GT2 (2:23.155), while Westbrook runs the quickest tour for the ninth in class No. 60 Porsche.

At the end of the hour Krumm calls at the pits with the Nissan. This elevates Jaime Melo, now in the GT2 leading car, to 5th overall—at least temporarily.

Hour 16

07:05 - The lead gap dips below 10 seconds

The Nissan's woes continue - it is dropping down the order, the #33 the latest car to overhaul the stricken GT-R and up to 6th overall, albeit still 16 laps down on the leader. Its an engine issue for the #35

Kox makes a routine stop and cedes second in GT2 to Miller's Brixia Porsche.

David Addison gives a weather forecast of a fully dry finish for the remainder of the race.

The inevitable plummet down the order of the now retired #51 Ferrari promoted the IMSA Performance Porsche back into the top 20.

Sorry about the gap here - web connection issues here!

07:23 and we've had a pit stop cycle from the leading trio, Menten and Lamy pit - hezemans climbs aboard the vette, Lamy stays in the maserati - Gavin sttays out for a further two laps and whilst lamy retains the lead post stoop that only applies for a quarter of a lap, the Corvette sweeps by and steams away.

07:40 - Lamy is responding - he holds the gap at 4 seconds then starts to make inroads, Hezemans meanwhile is dropping away a little.

07:43 - the gap is under a second for the lead - Hezemans now 11 seconds behind Lamy.

The G3 leading Ford is now in 9th position overall, Mutsch though is being chased down by Bergmeister aboard the Trackspeed Porsche - The German is bringing down the Porsches best lap seemingly at will. He passes the Ford before the top of the Hour - Trackspeed 9th overall, 4th in class.

07:47 - The lead battle is now fully engaged Lamy a quarter of a second back but Gavin is responding - he ekes out a further half second next time around. - This is a fabulous duel  

Hour 16 Positions

Pos  No  Name  Nat  Class  Car  Laps  On Track  Stops  Gap  Diff  S1  S2  S3  Last Lap  Best Lap 
1 3 GAVIN GBR 1 Corvette Z06 366  13     39.610 1:05.381   2:19.210 2:15.423
2 2 LAMY POR 1 Maserati MC 12 366  13 0.453 0.453 39.634 1:05.186   2:18.822 2:16.067
3 4 HEZEMANS NED 1 Corvette Z06 366  13 14.385 13.932 38.953 1:05.224   2:20.267 2:16.462
4 111 MARGARITIS GRE 4 Audi R8 LMS 355  16 11 Laps 1:46.262 40.474 1:08.305 36.730 2:25.509 2:21.106
5 50 MELO BRA 2 Ferrari F430 351  14 15 Laps 2.761 41.508 1:08.727 37.448 2:27.683 2:23.965
6 33 PIER GUIDI ITA 1 Maserati MC 12 350  13 16 Laps 37.316 39.123 1:04.444   2:18.746 2:16.297
7 56 KOX NED 2 Ferrari F430 348  15 18 Laps 1:51.122 41.903 1:08.199 37.652 2:27.754 2:24.496
8 97 RAGGINGER AUT 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 347  15 19 Laps 1:04.716 41.566     2:26.818 2:23.155
9 59 BERGMEISTER GER 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 345  17 21 Laps   41.520     2:25.642 2:24.009
10 121 WYSS SUI 5 Ford GT 344  16 22 Laps   44.940     2:35.014 2:22.475
11 61 MACHIELS BEL 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 342  13 24 Laps 52.241 42.849     2:28.704 2:27.830
12 55 GOODWIN GBR 2 Ferrari F430 340  14 26 Laps 11.849 42.251     2:30.156 2:25.179
13 60 WESTBROOK GBR 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 337  16 29 Laps   42.078     2:25.149 2:23.559
14 123 LEFORT BEL 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 336  12 30 Laps   43.268 1:14.015   2:35.740 2:28.608
15 172 RENARD BEL 5 Aston Martin DBRS9 335  16 31 Laps   41.955 3:19.241   2:31.209 2:27.523
16 161 LANIK GBR 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 329  14 37 Laps 2:29.031 42.005 1:09.799 45.937 2:37.741 2:24.921
17 77 RUBERTI ITA 2 Ferrari F430 328  20 38 Laps 19.188 43.058 1:11.157 50.562 2:44.777 2:22.014
18 70 LONG USA 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 328  13 38 Laps 21:07.313 42.396     2:26.270 2:22.658
19 35 TURNER GBR 1 Nissan GT-R 327  16 39 Laps 1:57.394         2:18.321
20 160 NOZIERE FRA 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 322  12 44 Laps 54:38.636 43.946 1:13.669 39.696 2:37.311 2:32.599 21 110 DEKEERSMAECKER BEL 4 Mosler MT900 320 15 46 Laps 15.349 47.888 1:16.785 43.301 2:47.974 2:29.196 22 116 ECKERT AUT 4 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup 319  12 47 Laps   45.835     2:50.105 2:32.779
23 145 GREISCH BEL 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 318  15 48 Laps   43.794     2:40.443 2:26.578
24 99 DAOUDI 2 Ferrari F430 317  14 49 Laps   42.414 1:09.356   2:29.348 2:27.720
25 51 CADEI ITA 2 Ferrari F430 316  13 50 Laps 23.287 41.330 1:07.584 43.965 2:32.879 2:22.603 Rtd
26 120 PATTERSON USA 5 Ferrari 430 GT3 305  21 61 Laps   44.630     2:37.147 2:30.688
27 1 SARRAZIN FRA 1 Maserati MC 12 298  13 68 Laps 26.956 39.770 1:06.102 37.976 2:23.848 2:16.784
28 174 LESOUDIER FRA 5 BMW Alpina B6 288  13 78 Laps 1:26.320 46.603 1:19.169 1:07.668 3:13.440 2:27.122
29 122 LUNARDI BRA 5 Ford GT 272  13 94 Laps 1:30.071 3:19.343 1:31.475 1:08.353 5:59.171 2:29.016 Rtd
30 124 KONSTANTINOU GRE 5 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S 234  9 132 Laps 1:49.946 42.451     2:31.831 2:29.853
31 117 HIRSCHI SUI 4 Porsche 996 Bi-Turbo (GT2-R) 159  12 207 Laps   45.765 1:19.982 45.320 2:51.067 2:30.178 Rtd
32 40 LEINDERS BEL 1 Ford GT (001 PT GT1) 146  8 220 Laps   41.674 3:47.114 50.200 5:18.988 2:20.711 -

Hour 16 Summary -  Gains and Losses

The Nissan’s stop is definitely not routine.  The team is having trouble keeping the engine running once it is re-fired. It has plummeted out of the top ten.

The Audi is back into its best of race fourth overall. As it is several seconds per lap slower than the leading trio, it has no hope of making the overall podium unless one of those retires.

Gavin retook the overall lead when the other two stopped, but it was a pyrrhic grab for the moment as the No. 3 Corvette comes in for a scheduled halt. However, the others stopped as well so that Gavin again holds a tenuous lead.

Two cars are stationary, but not yet retired. They are the No. 174 BMW, which spun, then stopped on course, came back to the garage and the engine area is being worked on. The forgotten by all but SRO Ford is again stuck in fourth gear (again).

Bergmeister sets the fast lap for his car so that No. 59 is again at Trackspeed. It is still not on the pace of fastest car in class, the IMSA Performance Porsche.

Gavin ends the hour on top—by the skin of the Corvette’s teeth.