Total 24 Hours of Spa preparations step up a gear at official test days

Total 24 Hours of Spa preparations step up a gear at official test days

Preparations for the 2019 Total 24 Hours of Spa will shift up a gear this week when more than 60 cars tackle two days of official testing at the Belgian track (2/3 July).

Taking place a little under four weeks before the race itself gets underway on 27 July, the test will allow teams a welcome opportunity to refamiliarise themselves with the daunting Spa-Francorchamps layout, fine-tine their machinery, and in several cases get acquainted with new drivers. Many of the test day entrants will travel directly from Italy, with Misano having staged the second Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe event of the season last weekend (29/30 June).

The final entry list for this year's race is set to be revealed on Tuesday, with another huge grid expected for the 71st running. As well as the regular Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup runners, Spa has attracted a number of one-off competitors who will pursue victory at one of the biggest races on the planet. With the 24 Hours also representing the third round of this year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge, the number has grown further.

The test represents the first major event of the month-long build-up to this year's Total 24 Hours of Spa. This will culminate during the week of the race, beginning with Monday's track day (22 July) on the iconic Spa circuit organised by three-time race winner Marc Duez. The traditional parade through the town centre, driver autograph sessions and activities in the Fan Village will also be key features of this year's event.

Track activity at the test days is scheduled to take place from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 18.00 CET, with the circuit open to the public throughout and admission offered free of charge. Fans will therefore enjoy a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of this year’s protagonists, who are looking to write their names into the history of this iconic race.