Two down, one more to go! The third race in June’s trilogy of 24 hour battles commences, and with no less than 76 cars across five classes vying for glory, it’s sure to be an epic. But just who will come out on top in the most prestigious GT race in the world? It’s time to close the 72 Hours of June with a scorcher.

Of Thursday’s two sessions, Pre Qualifying would set the scene for the weekend as the first official session for the competitors. A solid hour of running was provided for teams and drivers to get up to speed around one of motorsport’s most famous circuits, with a chance to see the early contenders emerge. The times won’t be anything like that of the official qualifying session later tonight, but it will no doubt provide insight and valuable data for everyone involved in the event.

The session was opened up by a Bronze Cup Audi, that of Alexey Nesov’s #66 Tresor Attempto Racing with a 2.19 in the opening ten or so minutes as the field filled the greasy, and officially wet, track. Other strong showings from the Bronze class entries included the QMMF by Santeloc #27, Kessel Racing’s #74 of Conrad Laursen and Garage 59’s #188 of Shawn Balfe, all of which ran inside the top ten at various points.

Early pace setters amongst the 21 strong Pro field included Rafaelle Marciello with the ROWE Racing #98 crew fresh off their win at the N24 just four days ago. The only change to their lineup is the absence of Kelvin Van Der Linde, who’s hopped to rival team WRT to drive their #32 machine. Ferrari’s factory cars also set top three times as they look to avenge themselves from last year’s loss at the hands of, ironically, Lamborghini. Antonio Fuoco and Alessio Rovera of the #51 and #50 respectively started strong. Lap times were varied with the track’s greasiness differing throughout the corners as it dried. But approaching half distance the red flag was flown for the #81 of Gabrielli Piana, the Winward Racing #6 having lost it up Eau Rouge, and slammed it into the opposite barriers. The team currently sit second in the Bronze class in the GT World Challenge Endurance Cup, and a good result here could swing the standings heading into the latter half of the year.

With just twenty minutes left of the session the red flag was lifted, as the #65 HRT Ford breaking park ferme regulations with significant rebuilding to the front bodywork. With ten minutes to go another yellow flag period was close, as the Optimum Motorsport McLaren #5.

Running through the other classes, Gold was headed by one of the standout teams in this year’s GT World Challenge Europe, that of Verstappen.com Racing’s Aston Martin. Alongside simracer-turned real world Pro Chris Lulham, Thierry Vermeulen and Harry King look to give the team yet their first class win after opening the season with back to back second places. It’s been an incredible effort from their in their debut year, and a win here at Spa would surely give them a great chance of taking the championship victory.

As the session closed out Garage 59 threw their own hat in the ring prior to Qualifying, taking the third fastest time with their #59 Pro class entry of Benjamin Goethe and splitting the factory Ferraris.

And that concludes our first real glimpse of what the field can do at this year’s 24 Hours o f Spa, with qualifying later to come there’s no time to waste, with a tight turnaround to get them ready. As for me, it’s dinner before settling back into blogging-mode.

thumbnail credit – Cabose via discord