Huddersfield’s Daniel Lloyd returns to Spa-Francorchamps this week as he prepares to face the biggest challenge of his 2015 season; The Total 24 hours of Spa when round four of the Blancpain Endurance Series arrives at the spectacular Ardennes track for the 67th running of the annual showcase event.
The build-up for the world’s biggest GT3 race gets underway on Wednesday (July 22) as the teams and drivers head into the town centre for a grand parade. Race preparations start in earnest on Thursday (July 23) with free practice, qualifying and night qualifying sessions running into the night, before the top 20 go forward to compete in Friday’s (July 24) Super Pole session ahead of Saturday’s 24 hour contest (July 25).
Lloyd and the Oman Racing Team face a formidable entry of 59 of the world’s leading endurance drivers and teams; however the squad heads into the weekend in confident form with a bolstered driver line-up and new Pro-Am class with fellow Aston Martin Racing Evolution Academy driver Jonathan Venter joining Lloyd alongside Jonny Adam and Ahmad Al Harthy in the #44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.
“We’ve been trying to get into the Pro-Am class for a while now; said Lloyd. “When you look at the line up and the budgets that we were up against in the Pro Class, it’s amazing that we’ve managed to get the results that we have really.
“It’s just so tough trying to compete against Le Mans winners so to get into the Pro-Am class is great for us, especially at such an important event. Not that we’re guaranteed any more of a result; 24 hour racing is so demanding, everything has to fall into place.”
Although this weekend will mark Lloyd’s second run in the Total 24 hours of Spa, the 23-year old came away bitterly disappointed last year having missed his chance to compete on track when an accident ended his teams’ run in the race. With last year’s memory still fresh, Lloyd returns to Belgium determined to make a big impression.
“After not getting a drive last year, it feels a little like unfinished business so I’m really looking forward to going back and getting the chance to have a proper run in the Aston;” Lloyd added.
“It was an amazing experience last year. Like the best and worst race weekend of my life all in one! Leading up to the race there was an unbelievable atmosphere and it’s a really special event for everyone involved. I’m sure it will be a great weekend for our sponsors that are coming out to join us for the weekend.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge but we’re all looking forward to it. One of our strengths this year has been our race pace and that’s what this race is all about so it should be interesting.”