DragonSpeed launches its long-anticipated assault on the Total 24 Hours of Spa today, with the start of practice for the world’s premier GT endurance race at the legendary 4.35-mile Belgian circuit. The Delray Beach, Florida team is a veteran of long-distance competition, having logged finishes at Daytona’s Rolex 24, Dubai 24 Hour, Bathurst 12 Hour, and Sebring 12 Hours, and the only US-based entrant contesting this weekend’s classic enduro, first run in 1924.
Spa marks the fourth round of this year’s Blancpain Endurance Series and by far the most demanding, lasting nearly twice as long as the other four races combined. DragonSpeed scored its first points in the hard-fought Pro-Am class at the recent Silverstone counter, and arrives at Spa buoyed by that result, the addition of two long-distance stars to the driver lineup, and the enduro experience of its crew.
Regular pilots Henrik Hedman and DragonSpeed team principal Elton Julian are joined at Spa by Ryan Dalziel and Anthony Lazzaro, rounding out a squad representing each of the BES’ four driver categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Scotland’s Dalziel needs no introduction, with a WEC LMP2 title plus victories at Le Mans and Sebring under his belt. As a regular member of the Ferrari GT roster, Lazzaro brings in-depth technical knowledge of 458 Italia model – winner of the Pro-Am class at Spa the last four years in a row – to the DragonSpeed effort.
The DragonSpeed Ferrari, dazzling in its Evel Knievel-inspired stars and stripes livery, is engineered by Mark Schomann, with Ferrari expertise acquired over many seasons with the Risi, Krohn, and RAM teams, supported by data specialist Leon Gutfreund. On the crucially important preparation side, crew chief Steve Gysin oversees a group including lead mechanics Matt Lobrutto and Jose Caruso plus Josh Ferguson, Matthew Devito, Israel Guerrero, Nat Dorsay, Brian Bailey, and Lee Revita.
“It’s a privilege to be part of this nearly century-old event, which has become the undisputed jewel in the crown of GT3 racing worldwide,” said Julian. “Spa is like no other circuit, and it’s always a thrill to take on the challenge it offers. It demands respect, especially over 24 hours. All our preparations – technical, driver, strategy – are driven by the need to keep one eye on staying out of trouble at all times, and look out for clean opportunities to add speed and gain places along the way. With Ryan and Anthony we’ve made the most of the series’ driver rules, we clearly have the right car for Pro-Am, and I believe the demands of 24 hours at Spa will bring out the very best in our crew.”