SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, BELGIUM – The legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps delivered everything an endurance race fan could want — high drama, unpredictable weather, and relentless attrition. As the second round of the 2025 24H Series unfolded across a turbulent 12-hour race split over two days, it was Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing who emerged victorious in their Porsche GT3 after a rollercoaster of a weekend in the Belgian Ardennes.
From soaked tarmac to scattered carbon fibre, Spa reminded everyone why it’s the ultimate endurance battleground.
FRIDAY: RAIN, CHAOS & CODE 60s
Spa woke up on Friday in its trademark style — cold, wet, and wild. The track was saturated from overnight storms, setting the stage for a tense day of practice and qualifying.
Despite the slick conditions, Pellin Racing topped the timesheets in practice, followed closely by Haas RT and Hofor Racing. But the drama started early: Come2Racing’s Aston Martin was withdrawn after a violent crash at Eau Rouge during testing — the first victim of the weekend’s most fearsome corner.
Qualifying was marred by multiple incidents that triggered Code 60s — a safety procedure unique to endurance racing where all cars must reduce speed to 60 km/h across the entire circuit. Rather than deploying a full safety car, Code 60 allows marshals to safely attend to incidents while keeping the race flowing and preserving strategic battles.
Bas Koeten Racing’s #925 Porsche spun in session one, and Vladimir Vladykin in Continental Racing’s #69 Audi R8 hit the tyre wall hard at Eau Rouge with six minutes remaining.
Session two was no less dramatic. Already shortened to 12 minutes, it ended with another Code 60 after Pellin Racing’s Ferrari 296 found the gravel at Pouhon. With the third session cancelled altogether, Hofor Racing emerged on top, securing pole ahead of Redant Racing and E2P Racing.
SATURDAY: FIVE HOURS OF FRACTURED MOMENTUM
Saturday’s weather played nice — at least for a while. Under rare dry skies, the first five hours of racing kicked off, but the calm didn’t last.
Just three minutes into the session, chaos erupted at La Source with a three-car tangle involving Juta Racing (#71), Muhlner Racing (#918), and Red Camel Racing (#909). Red Camel managed to escape relatively unscathed, but Muhlner Racing retired with heavy chassis damage although they did not know it at the time. The first Code 60 of the race was called — one of many to come.
From there, Spa delivered its usual blend of mechanical heartbreak and high-speed drama. Arc Bratislava’s Lamborghini took rear-end damage at Eau Rouge, Haas RT’s #2 Audi clipped Continental Racing, and Redant’s #93 Mercedes AMG shredded a front-left tyre.
At the halfway mark, Proton Huber Competition (#73) blocked the fuel station exit after brushing the wall at Raidillon. The car managed to limp away, but another Code 60 was needed.
The second half of Saturday saw more attrition: Haas RT (#21) was lifted away trailing smoke from the engine bay, Hamofa Motorsport’s BMW (#419) exploded a front tyre at Blanchimont, and Proton Huber’s #73 lost its front bumper at La Source.
By day’s end, several cars were wounded — and despite showing pace early in the weekend, Pellin Racing would not return for Sunday’s leg.
SUNDAY: FROM DAMP TO DOMINANT
Sunday dawned wet once more, making for a treacherous opening hour. Just a minute in, Redant Racing’s Yannick Redant slid into the Blanchimont gravel and triggered yet another Code 60. The car was recovered and rejoined, but the tone was set.
Only minutes later, disaster struck the GT4 class as Venture Racing’s #421 Mercedes AMG, driven by C. Jones, crashed at the top of Raidillon. A class leader now out of contention with the car being retired — and another Code 60 deployed.
At the front, Herberth Motorsport opened strong with sharp strategic plays making full use of the multiple code 60s. But tension rose again at the five-hour mark when Seblajoux Racing’s #888 Porsche, with M. Mendel at the wheel, suffered a dramatic crash at Eau Rouge. The car launched briefly off the ground before slamming into the barriers. Mendel walked away — testament to modern safety — but the incident sent the race into another lengthy Code 60.
Then came a flurry of contact. Tom Jackson in Haas RT’s #2 Audi spun at La Source and was clipped by T. Krohn’s RPM Racing Porsche (#907). Just minutes later, SRS Team Sorg Rennsport tangled with the same RPM car at Bruxelles.
And even with only 10 minutes left, Spa wasn’t done. Both Vortex Racing’s #701 and Kumar Racing’s #901 went off at the Bus Stop chicane. Neither would make the finish — but Vortex, having built enough of a buffer, still clinched the GTX class victory under one final Code 60.
TRIUMPH THROUGH TURBULENCE
After recovering from a spin at the Bus Stop early on Sunday, Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing kept their Porsche GT3 in the hunt all day. Despite pressure from Van Berlo Motorsport’s #925, who faced a combined 35 seconds in time penalties for Code 60 and track limit infractions, Ziggo executed a flawless second half to seal the win.
FINAL RESULTS
Overall Winner:
Ziggo Sport Tempesta Racing – Porsche GT3
Class Winners:
• GT3 Pro/Am: Scuderia Praha
• GT3 Am: Hofor Racing
• GTX: Vortex V8
• 992: Red Camel Racing
• 992 Am: RPM Racing
• GT4: STS Team Sorg Rennsport
• TCE: J-Mech Engineering
LOOKING AHEAD: MISANO ON THE HORIZON
With Mugello and Spa behind them, the 24H Series now heads to Misano. After such a bruising battle in Belgium, the field will be eager for redemption — but if Spa proved anything, it’s that endurance racing is a test of nerve, not just speed.
Spa Gallery 2025
