BMW Strong Contender at Spa 24 Hours
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – BMW has made a commanding presence at this year’s Spa 24 Hours, driven by a combination of factory talent and strategic entries. The WRT team stands out with an impressive garage that not only showcases the brand’s technologies but highlights its stature within the paddock.
Among the competitive entries, WRT’s full-season Pro-class lineups include the #32 car featuring Kelvin van der Linde, Charles Weerts, and Ugo de Wilde, alongside ROWE’s #98 entry with Augusto Farfus, Jesse Krohn, and Raffaele Marciello. Notably, the #31 WRT car boasts a one-off entry with Dries Vanthoor, Sheldon van der Linde, and Marco Wittman, aimed at enhancing BMW’s performance amid a crowded 75-car field.
The #46 entry has drawn considerable attention, pairing MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi with former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen and two-time Spa 24 winner René Rast. Magnussen reflects on his transition: “I’m on a mission to catch up with all these super-quick guys… I’m constantly adjusting,” he stated post-free practice.
Rossi is currently competing in the LMGT3 class of the WEC, and his collaboration with Magnussen is generating buzz. “It’s really cool to be sharing a car with one of your sporting heroes,” said Magnussen regarding Rossi’s capabilities in GT3.
Rast, who will start the race, exudes confidence about BMW’s prospects: "Normally we’re always in the running in the longer races… but we’ll see how it pans out." He acknowledged the heightened competition among gentleman drivers and anticipates strategic challenges with safety cars likely during the race.
Sheldon van der Linde, recently signed to BMW, is optimistic about his chances at Spa after securing victories at Bathurst and the Nürburgring this season. “We like the fast and flowing stuff rather than the tighter corners,” he noted in anticipation of favorable dry conditions.
ROWE Racing’s Dan Harper, now returning after a stint at the IMSA series, is focused on adapting quickly. “It’s very easy; I know the ROWE guys well… it’s really nice to be back,” he remarked.
With a total of 53 points available this weekend, races like Spa serve as critical junctures in the Endurance Cup championship. "We’ll approach it the same as any 24… just need to be clean and go for it in the last few hours," Harper stated, affirming the team’s competitive readiness.
As the race weekend progresses, BMW’s multi-faceted strategy and deep driver lineup will be pivotal in their pursuit of a prestigious victory at the Spa 24 Hours.
