Top event of the Blancpain Endurance Series, the 24 Hours of Spa will be held from 25th through to 28thJuly on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. With this year being the 50th anniversary of the 911, ProSpeed Competition will be entering three models of the prestigious and fearsome German GT car. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3-R #75, Marc Hennerici (GER), Xavier Maassen (NDL) and Maxime Soulet (BEL) will be continuing their European campaign that has seen them perform so brilliantly since the start of the season. Flanked by the number… #911, a second Porsche 911 GT3-R will be in the hands of Marco Holzer (GER), Nick Tandy (GBR) and Marco Mapelli (ITA). On a daily basis, Holzer and Tandy serve the interests of Porsche Motorsport. Mapelli is test driver at Pirelli SpA. The Belgian team’s third car’s top objective is to become involved in the fight for victory in the “Gentlemen’s Trophy” category. Didier Grandjean (BEL), Carl Rosenblad (SWE), Martin Rich (GBR) and Mathijs Harkema (NDL) will be racing a 911 in its « GT3 Cup » version, the world’s most sold competition car.
After the “Test” day for these 24 Hours of Spa, hold on Wednesday 3rd July, in the heart of the Blue Ardennes, we headed off in the direction of Tongeren – ProSpeed Competition’s Limburg lair- to discuss final matters with Luc Goris and Rudi Penders, the Belgian team’s figureheads. With nine different makes at the start, this 24 hours race has become the top European event for Grand Touring cars. Which teams will be defending the ProSpeed Competition colours?
#75 Porsche 911 GT3-R – Pro Cup
Marc Hennerici (GER) – Xavier Maassen (NDL) – Maxime Soulet (BEL)
“Having been part of the team for two years Marc, Xavier and Maxime know both the 24 hours race and handling of the Porsche 911 GT3 like the back of their hand, Rudi Penders, ProSpeed Competition Team Principal confided. They have already proven their worth on several occasions in the Blancpain Endurance Series, winning events such as at the Nürburgring, or slotting the #75 on to the front row of the grid at Monza for example. Together, they combine “pure speed” and the ability, in a highly professional manner, of multiplying the laps whilst respecting a highly strict planning sheet. On top of that they know each other very well and their implication, within the team context, can be cited as an example.”
#911 Porsche 911 GT3-R – Pro Cup
Marco Holzer (GER) – Nick Tandy (GBR) – Marco Mapelli (ITA)
“Being reacquainted with Marco Holzer is a pleasure Luc Goris, the ProSpeed Competition Technical Director commented. When he joined us back in 2010, Marco was a “Junior”, a rough diamond still needing to be cut and polished. Thanks to his work and ever increasing experience, advanced technical analysis has now also been added to his list of talents. His promotion to Porsche Motorsport driver is fully merited. Nick Tandy has also recently benefitted from a similar status. This British driver is a “born winner”, always on the look out for the … first place! Together Marco and Nick will enjoy the technical support provided by Marco Mapelli, the “motorsport” development driver for Pirelli SpA… and faithful to Porsche, in competition since 2010. We could not have asked for a better crew than this for the #911 car! “
#48 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup – Gentlemen’s Trophy
Didier Grandjean (BEL) – Carl Rosenblad (SWE) – Martin Rich (GBR) – Mathijs Harkema (NDL)
” By adding together the record of achievements of Martin Rich and Carl Rosenblad, I honestly have no idea of the number of competitions we would arrive at Rudi Penders, ProSpeed Competition Team Principal smiled. Our wish was to enter a team capable of claiming victory in the ” Gentlemen’s Trophy” category, a category where the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup’s performance and reliability will truly come into its own. We will also allow Didier Grandjean, whose experience is developing within our team … and now leading the Belgian Racing Cars championship, to compete in his first 24 Hours of Spa. Didier wanted to fulfil his dream. What with the progress he has made and his proven consistency, he will be a key player within the car he is sharing with Martin, Carl and the young Mathijs Harkema.”
Source : ProSpeed Competition