Conceived by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem in 1924, just a year after the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Spa 24 Hours race utilizes over 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) of public roads connecting the towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot, all under the auspices of the Royal Automobile Club Belgium (RACB).
From 1966 to 1973, and again in 1976 and from 1982 to 1988, the Spa 24 Hours was part of the European Touring Car Championship. It also contributed to the World Sportscar Championship in 1953 and the World Endurance Championship in 1981. Similar to the Nürburgring, Spa hosts both a 24-hour race and a 1000 km event, with the latter being introduced in 1966.
The range of cars that have participated includes everything from the Russian Moskvitch and sub-1 liter models like the NSU Prinz TT to the luxury V8-powered Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3. This "Red Pig," tuned by Mercedes-AMG with a 6834 cc engine producing 420 hp (313 kW), achieved a remarkable second place finish in 1971.
The current 7.004-kilometer (4.352-mile) circuit was inaugurated in 1979. A significant milestone occurred in 2004 when Swiss driver Lilian Bryner was part of the victorious BMS Scuderia Italia team with a Ferrari 550, marking the first time a female driver contributed to a winning team in a 24-hour endurance race featuring cars with over 500 hp.
The Coupe du Roi (King's Cup) is awarded to the manufacturer with the most points, determined by the performance of their cars, regardless of overall race winners. In 1986, Australian manufacturer Holden secured this trophy, finishing 18th, 22nd, and 23rd in the race.
Source Information courtesy wikipedia
The Spa 24 Hours (24 Heures de Spa) is one of the most prestigious endurance races in motorsport, held annually at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Its history dates back to 1924, making it one of the longest-running motorsport events in the world. Over the decades, the race has evolved from a road-car endurance challenge into a high-level GT endurance race, with numerous changes in regulations and car classes.
The Spa 24 Hours was first held in 1924, inspired by the success of the 24 Hours of Le Mans that had begun the previous year. The original race took place on the 14.9 km (9.3 miles) long version of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which was laid out on public roads linking the villages of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot. This early track configuration was fast and dangerous, snaking through the Ardennes forest, and drivers had to cope with challenging weather conditions and the circuit's elevation changes.
Initially, the event featured touring cars and sports cars from various manufacturers. 1924's inaugural race was won by Henri Springuel and Maurice Becquet in a Bignan 3-Litre. In the early years, the race grew in prestige, attracting manufacturers like Bentley, Alfa Romeo, and Bugatti. It became a proving ground for European carmakers seeking to showcase their durability and engineering prowess.
The event was suspended during World War II, and racing only resumed in 1948, with the race once again featuring touring cars and sports cars. The event continued to grow in stature, drawing more factory-backed teams and top drivers. However, the long original Spa circuit remained treacherous, with its mix of high-speed corners, unpredictable weather, and the lack of modern safety measures.
During this time, British manufacturers like Jaguar and Aston Martin dominated the event, along with Ferrari and Maserati, which added to the international reputation of the race. Ferrari won its first Spa 24 Hours in 1949 with Luigi Chinetti and Jean Lucas, and the marque became a frequent victor in the 1950s.
By the 1960s, the Spa 24 Hours shifted focus to touring cars, aligning with the popularity of touring car racing across Europe. This period saw participation from major manufacturers like Ford, BMW, and Porsche. The cars were often modified versions of production saloon cars, making the race more accessible to a wider range of manufacturers and private teams.
In 1966, the Spa circuit underwent a modification, reducing its length to 14.1 km (8.7 miles) but retaining its reputation as a challenging high-speed track. The event became a key fixture in the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), attracting a larger grid and greater manufacturer involvement. BMW, in particular, became dominant in this period, with many victories in the 1970s.
The combination of high speeds and minimal safety precautions, however, continued to make the race extremely dangerous. Several fatal accidents led to ongoing safety concerns.
By the 1980s, further safety updates were made to Spa-Francorchamps, shortening the track to its current length of 7 km (4.35 miles) in 1981, with the addition of safety features like gravel traps and modern barriers. The race continued as a touring car event through the 1990s, but by the early 2000s, it shifted focus again.
In 2001, the Spa 24 Hours was integrated into the FIA GT Championship, a series for GT cars. This brought a resurgence of factory-supported teams and cars from prestigious brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati, and Aston Martin, as well as new players like Audi, Mercedes-AMG, and Bentley. The race's move to GT3 regulations in the mid-2000s allowed even more manufacturers to compete, bringing about the current era of Spa 24 Hours racing as part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge and GT World Challenge Europe.
The modern Spa 24 Hours is a high-stakes event featuring cars from top-tier GT3 manufacturers, professional and amateur drivers, and a full grid of endurance racing teams. The race is renowned for its unpredictability, with rain often playing a major role due to the circuit's location in the Ardennes, which experiences rapidly changing weather.
The Spa 24 Hours remains a highly respected race in global motorsport, known for its history, challenging track, and the endurance test it poses for both drivers and machines. It is a beloved event in the world of GT racing, and its blend of history, prestige, and the unpredictable nature of endurance racing has cemented its place alongside other legendary races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Further readbale material James Roberts (Redbull.com) One Hundred Years (SRO Motorsports) History Part 1 (SRO Motorsports) History Part 2 (SRO Motorsports) History Part 3 (SRO Motorsports)