Eurotunnel delays, bad weather en route from the UK and roadworks, lots and lots (and lots) of them can never dim the enthusiasm you feel as you motor in to Francorchamps and soak in the atmosphere of one of THE classic tracks.
The FIA WEC pitlane was buzzing as we arrived with scrutineering well underway and plenty that is new and shiny to savour.
Audi have three R18 e-tron quattros here this weekend, the #3 car in full (marginally more) long tail trim with WEC new boy Filipe Albuquerque joined by Marco Bonanomi as the factory team test back to back for the Le Mans 24 Hours with their regular pair of WEC cars, both now looking pristine after their Silverstone travails.
Porsche’s 919 Hybrid pair remain in full low downforce trim once again and they are joined in that form by Toyota this weekend with both TS040s running Le Mans aero.
The big story in LMP1 though tho weekend is the debut of the very first car built to LMP1-L regulations as Rebellion Racing finally park their faithful Lola Toyotas and debut a pair of brand new Oreca designed and built Rebellion R-Ones.
The team unveiled the cars at midday today here and are at pains to remind everyone that this weekend will effectively be an extended test – The cars though look stunning and with a new spec Toyota customer V8, are likely to sound stunning too.
Joining the full season four in LMP2 here is the now regular Spa guest appearance of Jota Sport’s Zytek Nissan, the car led the Silverstone ELMS race by a very heathy margin until a race ending shunt ruined their day but Jota have rebuilt the #38 car around their spare tub and will be looking to repeat the form that has seen them win against WEC opposition in 2012, and score a podium finish last year – Their regular full season duo of Simon Dolan and Harry Tincknell is joined here by supersub Marc Gene, a previous overall winner of this race with Audi.
The Chinese flagged KCMG Oreca Nissan crew has Alex Imeratori joining the effort this weekend alongside the full season Brit pair of Richard Bradley and Matt Howson.
GTE Pro sees the very welcome return to the WEC of Bruno Senna, the fast and friendly Brazilian bolsters the lead #97 car’s attack both here and Le Mans. The sister #99 car meanwhile is in Gulf livery this weekend for the first time this season.
GTE Am sees another guest entry, the #60 AF Corse Ferrari makes it 8 cars fielded by Italian super team AF Corse this weekend.
The #60 here is last season’s GTE Am #61 whilst the 2014 #81 and #61 Am cars are last season’s Pro cars, #71 and #51 respectively.
The #81 AF Corse Ferrari sees Andrea Bertolini tie up the drive he’ll fill for every other WEC race this season (with the exception of Le Mans where Silverstone starter Sam Bird will again substitute as Bertolini joins SMP Racing’s GTE Ferrari effort.)
Back over at Aston Martin the usual all Danish flavour of the #95 car is changed with the addition of Richie Stanaway for an absent Nicki Thiim.
