Three of the four big 24-hour races are done, which means there is one left to go: the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. It’s going to be a scorching hot weekend in the Belgian Ardennes, but the weather might surprise everyone too – which is typical for this circuit. GT REPORT’s notes on the Wednesday parade day here.

For fans, and actually also the drivers, the parade is one of the highlights of the race weekend, as it provides a great opportunity for fans to get close to the cars, their heroes, collect autographs and take some pictures and selfies. The complete grid filled the Parc des 7 heures and the Place Royale in Spa, music was playing and free ice cream was handed out.

Kellett enjoys huge fan turnout at parade: “To give a little back to them is fantastic”

A necessity almost, as temperatures rose to 35 degrees. “It’s obviously crazy hot in the cars, it’s like 35 degrees ambient temperature, so that almost times two – that’s how it is in the car,” James Kellett tells this platform during the parade. The Brit can’t wipe the smile from his face nevertheless, especially not when his team, Paradine Competition, entertains fans with a  T-shirt gun.

“I’m looking forward to the race, but not looking forward to nearly dying in the car,” he laughs, referring to the driving time that is scheduled for him. The characteristics of this endurance event and the track itself make it a survival race: “It’s a seriously physical track, the most physical 24-hour race there is,” Kellett continues.

The heat of the weekend is more or less the talk of the day, but pushing through that and seeing the fans happy, means a lot to the Brit. “I absolutely love it. This is one of the reasons why I do it, because I was once a massive fan, a motorsport kid. Growing up, seeing race cars – I absolutely loved it. To be here and to have the support of the fans is really amazing for me. It’s almost emotional at the same time. For me to give a little bit back to the fans is fantastic.”

Van Eijndhoven hopes for rain: ‘We’re good in those conditions’

Porsche Supercup graduate Huub van Eijndhoven will make his debut in the Spa 24 Hours this weekend, being one of the fastest drivers of the #91 Herbert Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo. The 24H Dubai winner has enough experience to make it a successfull new part of his curriculum vitae. “It’s going to be very hot,” Van Eijndhoven says.

He drove the black Porsche of the German outfit from the track to the city and experienced the heat during the testing sessions on Tuesday already too. “Everyone is of course still holding back a little until it’s race day. I think we’re in the mix for sure. We’re actually hoping for rain.”

Van Eijndhoven hints at the balance and weight distribution of the car: “Porsche is good in the rain. Then we just have to survive the night and see where we are, like with every race,” he adds. There is a good chance that it will start to rain on Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures going down a little towards the end of the week as well.

Pereira trusts Attempto momentum: ‘We can have a good result’

The Herberth Porsche draws a lot of attention at the front of the pack, but further back, fans enjoy the McLarens, Audis and Ford Mustangs that are parked for everyone to see. At his #99 Tresor Attempto Audi LMS GT3 Evo II, Dylan Pereira is enjoying some ice cream. The last bit will melt, GT REPORT warned, but the driver from Luxembourg was keen to share his thoughts anyway.

While the rain might hit the track later, Pereira focuses on dealing with the heat first. “I was sweating a lot during the parade. I’ve probably already lost half a kilo!” he laughs. “I think it will be around sixty to seventy degrees in the car. At the end, you have to survive it somehow. We drink a lot of water and try to stay focused until the end. For sure, it will not be easy.’

“The car feels amazing. We still made a few changes, and are trying to improve in free practice on Thursday. We are quite happy. Let’s see how it will be. I think we can have a good result if we finish. The atmosphere here is great. The weather is also nice, so there are probably even more people here. It’s one of my home races.”