VERDONCK WITH BENTLEY TEAM ABT AT THE 24 HOURS OF SPA
The collaboration between Nico Verdonck and the Bentley Team ABT during the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, already has a sequel. From the 26th through to the 30th July, the Belgian will in fact be joining the German team for the Total 24 Hours of Spa, the world’s most important race for the GT3 category. In the Bentley Continental GT3 #9, the Brussels based driver will share the wheel with the South African Jordan Lee Pepper and the German Christer Jöns. And the trio has no intention of playing a minor role.
“I am truly delighted that Bentley Team ABT has once again called on me for this race, which – as for most Belgian drivers – is a race close to my heart”, a smiling Nico Verdonck commented. “Proof that they were satisfied with my performance during the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. With Jordan Lee and Christer, who know both the car and team very well, I reckon we will have a homogenous trio that can bring about the surprise.”
The Bentley Continental GT3 clinched victory in the most recent race of the Blancpain GT Series and the 1000 Km of the Circuit Paul Ricard, but it is also worth recalling that she clearly laid claim to victory at the Total 24 Hours of Spa 2016. “We are not appearing with the mere ambition of being on the starting grid”, the Belgian driver continued. “We are aiming at a podium place at the end of the gruelling 24-hour race! We are also fully aware that it will be a solid challenge. Not only is the level unbelievably high with the numerous manufacturers eyeing this event, but it will also be Bentley Team ABT’s first participation in a race of the Blancpain GT Series. We will therefore need to quickly learn and fathom the championship’s subtleties! On top of that we will have to swiftly pinpoint a set-up adapted to the Pirelli tyres, which we will discover during the Test Day to be held on Tuesday 4th July. Even so I have every confidence in the team and I am convinced that we will play our cards right.”
For Nico, this comeback in the Total 24 Hours of Spa is a splendid reward. “Once again this will give me the opportunity of driving in front of my home crowd and longstanding supporters”, he swiftly added. “For my loyal partner Willco Products it will also be the perfect way of taking full advantage of the occasion by welcoming various guests to the event, which is always a pleasure. When it comes to driving the Bentley Continental GT3 my passion knows no bounds, I love the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and I’m smitten with this race. I can’t wait to drive this great race at one of my favourite circuits!”
Source. Nico Verdonck
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