WEC race at Spa: “Second Place never felt better”

The above words are from Ben Keating on behalf of the # 33 C8R GT3 Corvette team after finishing second in the 6 HR race at the historic Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

The # 33 Corvette piloted by Ben (USA) and fellow drivers Nico Varrone (ARG) and Nicky Catsburg (NDL) weighed an extra 45 kg (100 lb) mandated by the WEC (World Endurance Championship) to balance their odds after winning earlier at Sebring and Portugal.

Keating in the lone Corvette nonetheless qualified fourth fastest among the LMGTE AM field comprised of four (4) Ferraris, three (3) Aston Martins and six 6 Porsches.

Fickle weather at the 4.35-mile Spa circuit that slices through the hilly Ardennes Forest makes the choice of slicks vs rain tires a tricky proposition. 

The pundits missed their calls which meant extra pit stops in addition to re-fuel and swap drivers.  Safety car periods and a lucky break “drive-around’ got the Corvette back in the lead pack. 

Defying expectations with fading tires, Catsburg held off Charlie Eastwood in the # 25 Ort by TF Aston Martin Vantage.  It was almost an exact replay against the # 83 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE EVO at Portugal.

The winner at Spa was the very same # 83 Ferrari, piloted by Alessio Rovera (ITA), Luis Perez Companc (ARG) and Lilou Wadaux (FR).  At age 23 she has been tapped by the Puegeot factory to race their Hypercar next year.

Fans eagerly await the 100th anniversary of Le Mans on June 10-11 where the organizers plan to display every overall winner since 1923.