The Total 24 Hours of Spa will reach a significant milestone this year, with the long-running endurance classic contesting its 70th edition on 26-29 July. To mark this special occasion, a wealth of entertainment both on and off the circuit will bring the Belgian Ardennes to life for a full 10 days, with many activities offered free of charge.
Between the 24 Hours itself and a host of other top-end series, more than 20 races will be staged at the iconic circuit, beginning on Friday 20 July and culminating on Sunday 29 July when the chequered flag falls on the winners of this year’s Total 24 Hours of Spa.
Created to celebrate the 70th edition Total 24 Hours of Spa, SRO Speedweek will be staged at the iconic venue over the weekend of 20-22 July, one week before the start of the Belgian endurance classic. SRO’s own GT4 European Series, Blancpain GT Sports Club and British GT Championship will whet the crowd’s appetite with a succession of thrilling GT battles on the undulating 7km Spa circuit.
There will be further support events from the BRDC British F3 Championship, VW Racing Cup, and the Ginetta GT5 & G40 Cups. In total, no fewer than 12 races will be staged as part of the SRO Speedweek, bringing together the excitement of GT and single-seater competition.
What’s more, the entire Speedweek programme – from the first practice session on Friday through all 12 races during the weekend – is completely free, giving every fan the opportunity to experience motorsport at the world-renowned Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
BRINGING THE ARDENNES TO LIFE
As ever, the entertainment at Spa will not be limited to the drivers competing in the 24 Hours or its support events.
In fact, throughout Monday 23 July and during the morning of Tuesday 24 July, Spa-Francorchamps will offer the unique opportunity for members of the public to drive the world-famous track in their own car.
While the teams participating in the Total 24 Hours of Spa are setting up for the main event, a track day will be organised in collaboration with Marc Duez, a three-time winner of the Belgian endurance classic. Several programmes are offered and, for those who do not wish to drive their own vehicle, Racing Taxi laps will also be available.
Wednesday afternoon will see one of the great Spa traditions, with the always-impressive parade of racing cars to the centre of Spa town and back. To allow more people the opportunity to get closer to the stars of the race, the motorcade will now leave the track at 6pm.
After spending more than three hours on the streets of Spa – during which the drivers will participate in an autograph session, interviews and their mandatory briefing – the world’s finest GT3 cars will return to the circuit at 9.30pm. This extended programme will give fans a unique opportunity to admire the cars at dusk for the first time and, as ever, can be enjoyed free of charge.
What’s more, to celebrate this landmark event SRO and Trajectoire Evénements Automobiles will organise the very first Spa24Hours GT Tour Rally, which will culminate with the traditional parade on Wednesday 25 July.
The Spa24Hours GT Tour Rally gives every owner of a Gran Turismo machine built after 1998 the opportunity to be part of one of the biggest events on the international motorsport calendar. The rally will begin from Spa town and travel along the most scenic roads in the Belgian Ardennes, Germany and Luxembourg.
The day will come to a spectacular conclusion with the Spa24Hours GT Tour Rally ending in the centre of Spa town, among the thousands of spectators attending the parade.
JUPILER 0.0% FAN ZONE
Located at the bottom of Raidillon, the Fan Zone will be the epicentre of off-track entertainment throughout the weekend, offering activities for the whole family. Simulators, racing cars, food and drink stands, official merchandising shops – you can find it all in the Fan Zone.
The entertainment does not stop when the racing begins and, as ever, music will add to the unique Spa experience. The annual concert gets underway on Saturday 28 July at 18.30 with acclaimed covers band The Planes.
As the sun goes down the atmosphere grows and the DJ sets get underway, with Simon Le Saint beginning proceedings at 20.30. He will be joined on-stage by a very special guest who bridges the gap between music and motorsport.
They will be followed at 22.30 by the French duo Synapson, then at midnight by popular deep-house performer Feder. The set will be headlined at 01.30 by the acclaimed Belgian electro-pop DJ Kid Noize, with entry to the concert free to anyone holding a weekend ticket.
With such a diverse line-up of entertainment on offer, there will be something for everyone to enjoy during this year’s Total 24 Hours of Spa.
ON-TRACK ACTION TAKES CENTRE STAGE
As ever, the main source of action in the Ardennes will be found on the iconic 7km Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
It begins on the afternoon of Tuesday 24 July with the annual three-hour Bronze Test, before a pause on Wednesday to undertake the parade.
Thursday sees the first competitive sessions for the Total 24 Hours of Spa, with free practice and qualifying getting underway. Spectators will also be able to follow a diverse line-up of support races, including the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Formula Renault Eurocup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux.
And, for those who missed out on an autograph during Wednesday, a pitwalk and second autograph session will be held on Thursday evening from 19:35 to 20:35, just before qualifying resumes for the Total 24 Hours of Spa.
Friday promises plenty of entertainment as well. Shortly after the Super Pole shootout (19.40) a track walk will be organised, with the cars that wrote the history of the Total 24 Hours of Spa lining the 7km circuit.
Fans can expect to see racing machinery from both the touring car and GT eras decked out in iconic liveries. This will present a truly unique opportunity for the public to walk the famous circuit and can be enjoyed by anyone holding a practice or weekend ticket.
Following further support action on Saturday morning, the 70th edition Total 24 Hours of Spa will get underway on Saturday at 16.30. After a full day and night of racing the winners will take the chequered flag at 16.30 on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on an incredible 10 days in the Ardennes.
So what are you waiting for? Clear your diary from 20-29 July and join in the festivities with the SRO Speedweek and Total 24 Hours of Spa! Tickets are available at https://www.ticketmaster.be/artist/total-24-hours-of-spa-tickets/955967