41 Car Grid for ELMS Return to Belgium

LMP2

Once again the LMP2 class will feature 13 entries from 11 different nations from Asia, Europe and North America.  Leading the way are triple race winners Thiriet by TDS Racing, with Mathias Beche and Pierre Thiriet being rejoined in the cockpit of the no46 Oreca-Nissan by Ryo Hirakawa after the Japanese driver was replaced by Toyota LMP1 driver Mike Conway in Le Castellet. 

The Thiriet by TDS Racing duo who are currently on 76 points hold a slim 8 point advantage over Silverstone race winners Giedo Van Der Garde, Harry Tincknell and Simon Dolan in the no38 G Drive Racing Gibson-Nissan and 15 points ahead of the no37 SMP Racing BR01 of Andreas Wirth and Stefano Coletti.  With a maximum 52 points still to be won in Belgium and in Portugal, there is still all to play for in the LMP2 title race for both the drivers and the teams.

Expect the no21 Dragonspeed Oreca-Nissan of Ben Hanley, Nico Lapierre and Henrik Hedman to challenge for the podium after scoring two third place finishes so far in 2016, while the no33 Eurasia Motorsport Oreca of Nico Pieter De Brujin, Tristan Gommendy and Pu Junjin will be looking for another top 3 finish after 2^nd place finish in Austria and a hard fought 4^th place in Le Castellet last time out.

The LMP2 entry is increased by one with the welcome additional of the Belgian no47 Team WRT Ligier-Judd with former German F3 and FIA GT Champion Laurens Vanthoor heading up the driver lineup, along with his brother Dries and former F1 and WEC racer Will Stevens, to give the local fans someone to cheer in the LMP2 class.

LMP3

Once again 20 cars will line up on the LMP3 grid with the no2 United Autosports Ligier of Alex Brundle, Michael Guasch and Christian England one step away from claiming the 2016 team and driver titles.  The Anglo-American team currently hold a 30 point advantage and only need to finish ahead of the no19 Duqueine Engineering and no9 Graff Ligier to be sure of the title with one race in Portugal remaining. As long as the three time race winners are 27 points ahead of their nearest rivals after the race they will become the 2016 ELMS LMP3 Champions.

The Franco-Swiss trio of Dino Lunardi, David Hallyday and David Droux have finished second in the last two races in the no19 Duqueine Engineering entry, with the all French No9 Graff Ligier of Eric Trouillet, Paul Petit and Enzo Guibbert breaking the United Autosports strangle hold on the top step of the podium with a win last time out in Le Castellet.

Home advantage will be going to the only Belgian driver on the grid in the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps taking part in the full ELMS season, with former Belcar Champion Bert Longin taking to the track alongside his Swiss teammates Giorgio Maggi and Marcello Marateotto in the no8 Race Performance Ligier.

LMGTE

The battle for LMGTE class honours is just as tight as the LMP2 battle, with just 8 points separating the top 3 entries.  The class is led by double race winners Andrea Bertolini, Rob Smith and Rory Butcher in the no66 JMW Motorsport Ferrari.  The British team are currently on 68 points, just 5 points ahead of the no99 Aston Martin Racing crew of Andrew Howard, Alex MacDowall and Darren Turner and 8 points ahead of father and son duo Alexander Talkanitsa Senior and Junior in the no56 AT Racing Ferrari.

Imola race winners Michael Hedlund and Wolf Henzler will be joined in the no77 Proton Competition Porsche by Marco Seefried.  The German-American team are currently on 46 points, 22 behind the leading JMW Ferrari.

The 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday 25 September will provide a good indication of who will be the 2016 European Champions as the teams and drivers battle it out in the last but one race of the 2016 season.  The weekend will also include a full race programme by the Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup, Formula Renault 2.0 and the Renault Sport Trophy RS01.  Off track there will be plenty of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

CLICK HERE for the provisional entry list for the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps

CLICK HERE to download the timetable