Indy Dontje is to contest the biggest race in GT sport on one of the world’s most spectacular circuits. From 21st to 26th July, the Dutch youngster will be competing in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps – for a new team. Indy takes on the challenge of this legendary long-distance race as a temporary member of GT Russian Team. With the departure of former team sponsor Astana, Rowe Racing have had to withdraw one car from the event.
“Astana has dropped out as a sponsor, and it looked at first as if I wouldn’t be able to take part in the 24 Hours of Spa,” explains Indy. “Fortunately, the AMG Customer Sports programme stepped in and got me signed up with GT Russian Team.” The collaboration extends only to the forthcoming endurance race, as Indy remains under contract to Rowe Racing for the 2015 season and will continue to drive for them.
Switch at short notice
The decision to link up with the GT Russian Team was made only last week. “It was all a bit hectic, and it was arranged at short notice,” adds Indy. “I am very grateful that the team and the AMG Customer Sports Programme have given me the opportunity to compete in this classic. It’s now a matter of settling in quickly and learning a lot of new names. I’ve already done plenty of travelling around with the SLS AMG GT3 this season, so that shouldn’t be too difficult. It’s always a bit of a challenge joining a new team, but that has been one of my strengths in the past. I am an absolute team player, and I consider it very important to really get to know the mechanics, engineers and all the other team members. So now I need to learn the new names and remember the faces that go with them.”
Indy is highly motivated as he goes to work with team-mates Marko Asmer, Alexey Vasilyev and Lewis Plato, and he is confident of a successful outcome: “I know Marko already and am sure that we will work well together. Our entire driver line-up is very strong and the team is up for it. A Top Five finish in our class would be a perfect result. But there is one objective that matters more than any other, namely seeing the chequered flag at the end of the 24 hours. I have so far competed in only one 24-hour race but we didn’t see it through to the end. I’m determined to change that at Spa.”