Charlie celebrates Spa 24hr class glory

• Charlie overcame changeable conditions to help secure class victory.

• Oman Racing with TF Sport team takes the lead of the Pro-Am Cup.

Belfast racer Charlie Eastwood and his teammates produced a dominant Pro-Am class win at the challenging 2019 24 Hours of Spa, round 4 of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup.

Held in the Ardennes Forest, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is famous for its unpredictable weather and is considered one of most demanding races on the calendar. 

Driving the no.97 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3, the Oman Racing with TF Sport team started the race from the pit lane, 30 places behind the class polesitter after the car was severely damaged forcing them to use the backup chassis. Despite the setback, Charlie and the team recovered brilliantly to drive a faultless race to secure the class victory and take the lead of the Pro-Am Cup standings.

Charlie was delighted with the victory, “I was happy to help the team to victory, we started from the back of the grid which made the race a lot harder but I had belief in myself and the team that we could still get the class win. The Aston Martin was brilliant throughout the race, it gave us grip in the tricky conditions and the ability to carve our way through the field.”

In a race littered with yellow flags, safety cars and even a red flag, Charlie was still fully focused on helping the team to victory. On the way to securing maximum points, Charlie was able to set the team’s fastest lap, a 2:22:697 on lap 78.

It was a significant result for Aston Martin as well. It marked a first class win for the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in a Spa 24-hour race.

Charlie’s next race is the opening round of the 2019-2020 FIA World Endurance Championship. The 4 Hours of Silverstone will take place on the 1st of September.