19
Jul 2017
Highlight of the year for Rinaldi Racing
Next week, the highlight of the year is on the agenda for Rinaldi Racing: 24 Hours Spa-Francorchamps.
For the team from Mendig, two Ferrari 488 GT3s will be at the start of the 24-hour classic. The seven-kilometre circuit in Belgium offers varied and exciting racing action.
The green and yellow Ferrari with start number 333 will start in the ProAm class. Sharing the wheel work will be Alexander Mattschull (Germany), Rinat Salikhov (Russia), Matteo Malucelli (Italy) and Norbert Siedler (Austria). The ProAm class will be highly competitive with 23 cars. Nevertheless, all Rinaldi Racing drivers have the necessary experience to deliver a great race.
The sister car, the green and black Ferrari, with the starting number 488, on the other hand, will start in the Am class. The Italian bolide will be driven by Pierre Ehret (Germany), Rino Mastronardi (Italy), Patrick van Glabeke (Belgium) and Gabriele Lancieri (Italy). A total of seven cars will fight for the title in the Am class.
On Monday, Rinaldi Racing will travel to Spa-Francorchamps to start the set-up. On Tuesday, they will continue with the Bronze Test, which will give the amateur drivers a chance to adjust to the track conditions.
On Wednesday, the complete starting field of 66 racing cars will leave the circuit and go directly to the parade in Spa. There, all the cars including the drivers will be presented. This is a must for the spectators and fans, as they can get up close to the cars and the drivers are happy to sign autograph cards and posters.
From Thursday onwards, the actual race programme will continue before the starting signal for the 24 Hours is given on Saturday at 4.30 pm.
Michele Rinaldi: “We are ready for the 24 Hours. The cars are top prepared and the team is ready to go. The ProAm and Am classes are highly competitive, but I am confident. The driver constellation on both Ferraris is good; all drivers have enough racing experience on this demanding track. Of course, you also need a bit of luck. But we have a great overall package and are looking forward to the week.”
Rinaldi Racing will also enter a Ferrari 458 GT3 in the Blancpain GT Sports Club. Christian Hook (Germany) will be at the wheel. The grid will be on track on Friday and Saturday.