The Total 24 Hours of Spa will celebrate a significant milestone this year (26-29 July), with 2018 marking the 70th edition of the Belgian endurance classic.
First run in 1924, the event is now internationally recognised as the premier race reserved exclusively for GT machinery. This has drawn the world’s biggest automotive brands to test themselves at the legendary circuit, with the recent addition of Honda meaning that 12 manufacturers will be present at this year’s event.
The Japanese marque’s NSX GT3 will line up alongside established machinery from Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche. There will also be new-spec cars on the grid thanks to Nissan and Bentley, while Lexus will make their debut at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.
Having orchestrated the transition to GT rules in 2001, SRO Motorsports Group is keenly aware of the event’s storied past.
"We are the guardians of a legend," explained Laurent Gaudin, General Manager of the Total 24 Hours of Spa. "This race has a soul, which comes from its illustrious past.
“For the 70th edition, we wanted to create a poster in the style of a birthday card, allowing everyone to remember the greatest moments from the event’s long history.
“At the same time, the presence of the Honda NSX GT3, which brings a 12th manufacturer to the gird, also symbolises the present - and the future of the race.”
The poster features a special logo created for the 70th running, while the event’s history is represented by images of several cars that have triumphed in the Belgian Ardennes. The period between the two World Wars, the touring car era and the increased international flavour that followed the switch to GT racing in 2001 are all acknowledged.
"With this poster, we want to wish a happy birthday to the Total 24 Hours of Spa,” added Laurent Gaudin. “We invite fans to come and celebrate this grand old lady with us at the end of July. In the coming weeks we will unveil a new event programme spread over 10 days, including the SRO Speedweek.”
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