Sandström on Spa: My lifes most important race!
July 26th, 2012
Last year he was second in the classic 24h race at belgian Spa Francorchamps. This year the aim is set higher. As a factory driver for Audi in an R8 LMS ultra he´s going to win.
– I´ve been given a huge confidence, and I will prove that I´m worth it in every way I can, Sandström says.
The 24h of Spa is included as a regular race in the Blancpain Endurance Series where Edward Sandström drives for the belgian team W Racing Team, in short WRT, in an Audi R8 LMS ultra. But the preparations for the Spa 24h of 2012 are a bit different. For the first time Sandström is an official factory driver for Audi Sport.
– This is what I´ve been working for in my entire life, to drive for a car manufacturere in international racing. It´s great to have been given this confidence, and you could say that this is the most important race of my life. It´s now I´m going to prove that I belong among the worlds best racedrivers.
Sandström was second in Spa 24 h in 2011, then in another car, and not as a factory driver. Now the conditions are a bit better.
– It can be hard to expalin to someone who hasn´t seen it, but we have fantastic resources, people taking care of everything that you otherwise have to think of yourself. The engineers and race personnel of Audi are extremely competent and keep track of everything, Sandström says.
Spa Francorchamps is known as one of the worlds best racetracks, with legendary Eau Rouge as the icing on the cake.
– Spa is fantastic, seven kilometers long and with a great flow all the way. A bit like the Nürburgring Nordschleife, but with a bit more GP-feeling. Eau Rouge is a tough compression that sorts the pros from the amateurs. Spa also suits our Audi R8 LMS ultra extremely well. I believe in flat out at Eau Rouge this weekend, Sandström says.
The race is on from today Thursday. In the morning free practice, and then qualification starts at 18.20.
Follow Sandström in the Spa 24 h at http://www.blancpain-endurance-series.com/
Time schedule:
Thursday 26 July
09:45-11:15 Total 24 Hours of Spa – Free Practice
18:20-19:20 Total 24 Hours of Spa – Pre-Qualifying
20:20-21:35 Total 24 Hours of Spa – Qualifying 1
22:05-23:30 Total 24 Hours of Spa – Qualifying 2
Friday 27 July
15:35-15:55 Total 24 Hours of Spa – Super Pole
Saturday 28 July
16:00 Total 24 Hours of Spa – Race
