The #20 Bronze Cup class Huber Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R 992 will start the 2023 Spa 24 Hours from pole position. Matteo Cairoli was entrusted for this afternoon’s Super Pole shootout and delivered the goods in a mixed 20-car field with only seven Pro cars after the rain disruption to Qualifying last night.
His best time of the Belgian circuit was a 2:16.880 and came late in the session. By setting the third fastest average in Qualfying, Cairoli and the Huber team had the benefit of being the 18th car to head out on track to set his two flying laps. The result marks the first-ever overall pole position for Porsche at the event.
“It was quite unexpected!” Cairoli said after the session. “Since yesterday we knew the car was capable of great performance in the wet and dry. I made some small mistakes but it was enough to be on pole today. I am really satisfied.
“I think we have a great package, it should be good fun tomorrow.”
Joining Cairoli on the front row tomorrow will be the #51 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 from the Pro class. Alessio Rovera’s 2:16.996 was the first lap set under 2:17 and came with 13 minutes remaining.
The third fastest time meanwhile was from a second Bronze Cup Porsche, the #911 from Pure Rxcing that topped Qualifying.
Klaus Bachler was installed for the session and pushed extremely hard to try to snatch pole as the final driver to join the staggered session. His first flyer was just over two-tenths off, his second was ruined by a trip through the gravel at Stavelot.
The #6 K-PAX Racing Lamborghini will join the #911 on the second row thanks to a 2:17.243 that put the American team second of the Pro class runners and in a strong position for tomorrow’s race.
Optimum Motorsport’s #5 McLaren 720S GT3 took the Gold Cup pole and will start fifth after Dean Macdonald’s run.
Pole position in the Silver class went the way of the #58 GRT Lamborghini with a time good enough for seventh overall. Barwell’s #78 was the only Pro/Am runner in Super Pole, and therefore secured class pole by default. Dennis Lind put it 19th overall on the grid.
Track action continues tonight at 21:15 with the Warm Up (extended by 15 minutes), ahead of the 24 Hours proper that gets underway tomorrow at 16:30.
Image courtesy of SRO
