WEC 6Hr Spa-Francorchamps 2013
May 4
SPA, Belgium
Story and Images© by Joachim Gruchot
Contact Photographer For Information on Photos of this Event
WEC 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS
Round 2 of the World Endurance Championship in 2013 has seen the beautiful Race Track of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
The weekend always marks the big Test for the 24h of Le Mans (90th Edition in 2013, 22nd-23rd June).
The Event at Spa-Francorchamps was doninated in practice and in the Race as well by Audi.
1 2 3 on the Grid, 1 2 3 on the Podium.
Car No. 1, Audi R18 e-tron Quattro of of Audi Sport Team Joest took chequered flag after 168 Laps, finished first.
After one Hour of Racing Safety Car was out on track.
Antonio Pizzonia in the Oreca Nissan of Team Delta-ADR hits the barrier at Eau Rouge / Raidillion.
Pizzonia got out of the car and was ok.
Within the six Hours of Racing Spectators saw a lot of action on the track.
Bad luck for Porsche and Toyota. Just one car of both Teams saw Finish.
Better luck in Le Mans!
Results:
LMP1:
1. Audi Sport Team Joest - Lotterer / Tréluyer / F&aunl;ssler
2. Audi Sport Team Joest - Kristensen / Duval / McNish
3. Audi Sport Team Joest - Di Grassi / Gené / Jarvis
4. Toyota Racing - Davidson / Buemi / Sarrazin
5. Rebellion Racing - Prost / Jani / Heidfeld
LMP2:
1. Pecom Racing - Perez Companc / Minassian / Kaffer
2. Oak Racing - Pla / Heinemeier Hansson / Brundle
3. Jota - Dolan / Turvey / Luhr
4. Oak Racing - Bagutte / Gonzalez / Plowman
5. G-Drive Racing - Rusinov / Martin / Conway
LMGTE Pro:
1. AF Corse - Bruni / Fisichella
2. Aston Martin Racing - Senna / Makowiecki / Bell
3. AF Corse - Kobayashi / Vilander
4. Aston Martin Racing - Turner / Mücke / Dumbreck
5. Porsche AG Team Manthey - Lieb / Dietz / Dumas
LMGTE Am:
1. Star Motorsports - Potoucchio / Aguas / Malucelli
2. Aston Martin Racing - Nygaard / Poulsen / Simonsen
3. Labre Competition - Bornhauser / Canal / Rees
4. Aston Martin Racing - Goethe / Hall / Campbell-Walter
5. Proton Competition - Ried / Roda / Ruberti
Data Source: FIA WEC TIMING
Joachim Gruchot
PROLOGUE
Since its inception in 1921, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit - which will host the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship - has undergone both evolution and a revolution. The original layout, which hugs the terrain of the Ardennes, had by the late 1960s become obsolete and dangerous and underwent a makeover during the next decade to adapt to the modern era.
Despite its name, the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps is not located in the territory of Spa but instead of Stavelot and Francorchamps. Originally, the public roads linking Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot (extending to the south of the current track) were used to create the circuit of 14.981 kilometres. The first race was scheduled for August 1921, but it was cancelled as only one entry turned up!
It was motorcycles that finally inaugurated the circuit and, in 1924, the first 24 Hours of Spa took place - a year after the first 24 Hours of Le Mans. Races on both two and four wheels followed but the Belgians wanted to differentiate themselves from their German neighbours at the Nürburgring and decided to make Spa the fastest track in Europe. In 1939 they undertook work that would make the Ardennes circuit world famous: Raidillon from Eau Rouge, the most purpose-built part of the track was born.
After a break of seven years due to World War II, racing activity restarted until the late 60s. However, drivers were increasingly reluctant to race on a circuit where a dozen of them had been killed over a decade. The Masta 'pif-paf' had become very dangerous and much work was needed.
The old track was halved in length and the new circuit was inaugurated in 1979. Two years later, the start line was moved to where it is now, before the La Source hairpin rather than after it. Despite these changes, it was not until the early 21st century that the circuit finally met the new safety standards required by Formula 1. A second remodelling occurred between 2006 and 2007, with the modification of the 'Bus Stop' and 'La Source' hairpin.
Fortunately, the changes to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit (now 7.004km) have not undermined its integrity and many drivers continue to cite it as their favourite circuit. On the 4th of May, they will have the opportunity to shine on the roller coaster of the Belgian Ardennes at the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
Warm up Session, the LMP2 Lotus T128 of british Driver James Rossiter, side by side with Porsche 911 RSR of Porsche AG Team Manthey, driven by german Joerg Bergmeister.
Warm up session again, Bus stop chicane. OAK Racing LMP2 Morgan-Nissan, driven by Martin Plowman in front of the second Works Porsche 911 RSR.
End of Warm up, Aston Martin Vantage V8 is going back into Pits
Starting Grid, Audi took Place 1 to 3 with the Audi R18 e-tron Quattro - Hybrid. Drivers on car No. 3: Luca di Grassi, Marc Gené, Oliver Jarvis
At the End of the Starting Grid, the Field of GT Cars. No. 88, Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, diven by Christian Ried, Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti.
Start of the Race, end of Start-Finish Straight, Field of Prototypes LMP1 and LMP2 is entering La Source.
The Field of GT Cars soon after, Ferrari No. 71, the caar of Team AF Corse, driven by Kobayashi / Vilander in front.
IMSA Performance Matmut, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR uphill Raidillon
Bad luck later on, Team Delta-ADR Oreca 03-Nissan at Pouhon.
Aston Martin Racing Vantage V8 at Les Combes. Car was driven by Bruno Senna, Frederic Makowiecki and Rob Bell.
Later Winner, car No. 1, Audi R18 e-tron Quattro-Hybrid, driven by Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fässlerin front of No. 7, Team Toyota Racing TS 030-Hybrid, driven by Alexander Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima.
G-DRIVE Racing Oreca 03-Nissan No. 26, australian John Martin at the wheel.
LMP2 Gulf Racing Middle East Lola B12/80 Coupé Nissan, Keiko Ihara from Japan behind the wheel.
After spinning ... Marshall helps to bring back No. 61 back on the Track.
No. 26 sideways ...
LMP2 STRAKKA RACING HPD ARX 03C Honda, driven by Nick Leventis, Danny Watts and Jonny Kane. Danny Watts at the wheel.
GREAVES Motorsport LMP2 Zytek Z11SN - Nissan, driven by Chris Dyson, Michael Marsal and Tom Kimber-Smith. Boys from the United States.
The second Toyota TS030 - Hybrid at Les Combes. This car was driven by Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi and Stéphane Sarrazin.
Krohn Racing Ferrari F458 Italia, driven by Tracy Krohn, Niclas Jönsson and Maurizio Mediani. Niclas Jönsson at the wheel.
Car No. 7, LMP1 Toyota TS030 - Hybrid, driven by Alexander Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima. Nicolas Lapierre on his Lap.
GT PRO Porsche 911 RSR No. 92 in front of GT AM Ferrari F458 Italia No. 81 heading towards Bus Stop Chicane.
No. 25, the Delta-ADR Oreca-Nissan od brasilian Driver Antonio Pizzonia after a huge crash at Raidillon. Car came on Gras at high speed and spun before crashing into Barrier. Pizzonia was unhurt.
End of the long straight on Kemmel, LMP2 Lotus of british James Rossiter in front of the Corvette C6 - ZR1 of Team Labre Competition. Fernando Rees from Brazil behind the wheel.
Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, driven by Christian Ried heading towards Rivage, a 180 deg. corner.
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