#99 Rowe Racing SLS take full points after six hours

#99 Rowe Racing SLS take full points after six hours

With a total of six safety car-interventions and two Full Course Yellow-situations so far, the 2015 Total 24 Hours of Spa has proven to be a very eventful race. At the turn of the sixth hour the first points for the Blancpain Endurance Series were awarded with the #99 Rowe Racing Mercedes taking full points in Pro Cup, the #51 AF Corse Ferrari in Pro-Am, and the#24 Team Parker Racing Audi in the Am Cup.

Pro Cup

Last year's winners Rast-Winkelhock-Vanthoor looked set to take the twelve points at the six hour mark. But only minutes before crossing the line in first, the #1 Audi went off the road at Courbe Paul Frere, Turn 15, when trying to overtake a backmarker. Vanthoor was able to rejoin but had to make a lengthy pit stop for necessary repairs and five laps were lost.

With the race leader in the pit it meant that the #99 Rowe Racing Mercedes took the 12 points for leading after six hours when Stef Dusseldorp was at the wheel following a safety car called into action after contact between the #11 Kessel Racing Ferrari and the #29 Black Falcon Mercedes at La Source. Second in the Pro Cup, and taking nine points, was the #35 Saintéloc Audi, with the #45 BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS BMW in third collecting six Championship points.

Pro-Am Cup

There were plenty of position changes in the Pro-Am Cup as well. Series leaders Duncan Cameron and Matt Griffin’s #51 AF Corse Ferrari crossed the line in first place, and eighth overall, with Davide Rigon at the wheel. Things are looking good for the #51 AF Corse Ferrari with their closest Championship rivals, #11 Kessel Racing Ferrari of Broniszewski, Lyons and Bonacini, out of contention after making contact with Nico Verdonk at La Source. Second in the class were the #47 Ferrari AF Corse and the #12 TDS Racing BMW lay third.

Am Cup

Even though the#24 Team Parker Racing Audi scored full points after six hours, the car hit problems soon after, when coming to a halt at Pif Paf with an as yet unknown technical issue. After a couple of minutes by the wayside, the class leaders re-joined and even managed to continue to hold on to the lead. Second in class was the #50 AF Corse Ferrari, with the #10 Akka ASP Ferrari in third. The #28 Delahaye Racing Team Porsche that had been third during the first couple of hours lost some time due to a stop&go penalty after overtaking under yellows. 

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