Fortec Motorsports has today announced that it will be running a strong line-up in it’s Mercedes AMG SLS GT3 in the Total 24 Hours of Spa, which takes place on the 27th and 28th of July. Fortec FR3.5 ace, Oliver Webb, will be joined behind the wheel by World Endurance Championship racer Alex Brundle, and former – Sauber Formula 1 star and Mercedes AMG factory driver, Karl Wendlinger.
The Total 24 Hours of Spa is one of the most prestigious GT races in the world and this year is set to be bigger than ever, with at least 70 cars representing nine different manufacturers all fighting for victory. This will be Fortec Motorsports inaugural 24-hour race, but the team are no strangers to the Spa 24 Hours weekend having competed in the supporting British Formula 3 International Series for several years previously, and GT team manager Trevor Foster is looking forward to the challenge ahead:
“Spa is a really challenging event and I am extremely pleased that we have been able to secure the services of Karl, Oli and Alex. It is the first time we have competed with the SLS in a 24-hour event, but we have received excellent support from Mercedes-AMG and HWA in preparation for what is a world class event and we intend to maximise this opportunity as a team, and produce a strong showing amongst some very good teams and drivers.”
Brundle, son of former Formula One racer and Sky F1 broadcaster Martin, is currently racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and lies second overall in the LMP2 class. The 22-year-old from Kings Lynn is no stranger to gruelling 24-hour racing, having competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the past two years, this year finishing runner-up in LMP2.
Commenting on entering his first GT3 race Brundle said: “I’m pleased to add the Spa 24 Hours to my WEC season. There is great strength and depth in the field for the race, so I am confident that this is the right place and time for me to make a start in GTs. The Mercedes SLS, along with a strong driver line-up and Fortec support, will be a competitive package.”
Oli Webb, who is currently racing with Fortec in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, will also be joining Brundle in the SLS. Single-seater star, Webb, has had experience of the Fortec GT3 machine after driving the Mercedes in the second round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Rockingham, where he led part of the race.
Webb commented: “I’m very much looking forward to my first ‘proper’ 24-hour race. After doing the Beetle Fun Cup 25-hour race for fun with friends and a sponsor six years ago, this will be my first proper endurance race. To do it with Fortec and AMG in the SLS is a true honour. The test went well and out of 42 cars we ended up P13 on my first time, so I’m hoping we can get a great result with two great team-mates with GT experience”
Completing the line-up is the highly experienced driver Karl Wendlinger. The Austrian has a vast racing CV spanning over 25 years; ranging from competing in Formula One to racing in the DTM. Wendlinger’s sportscar heritage is vast, and he was part of the legendary 1990 Mercedes factory team, which included the likes of Jochen Mass, Heinz-Harald Frentzten and Michael Schumacher.
In recent years,, Wendlinger has competed in GT series across the world, including the FIA GT1 Championship, where he drove a Mercedes SLS AMG in 2012 as a Mercedes AMG factory driver.
“The Spa 24 is a very special race weekend,” said Wendlinger. “I really like the circuit and the whole format of the weekend. There is a very strong grid this year, not just in terms of cars but also driver combinations. I’m pleased to be joining Fortec with Oli and Alex and feel we have one of the best line-ups.”
Fortec confirm all-star line-up for Spa 24 Hours
