Nicky Catsburg enjoys an impressive record in the Total 24 Hours of Spa, taking the victory in 2015 and finishing as runner-up last year. This weekend – effectively his second home race in that he resides in Belgium – he seeks further silverware as he teams up with Christian Krognes and Mikkel Jensen in the Walkenhorst Motorsport #34 BMW M6 GT3.
It’s been a busy season already for Nicky, concluding BMWs final FIA World Endurance Championship season with Team MTEK, as well as the competing in the WTCR with Hyundai Motorsport. With the WEC Super Season having now drawn to a close, it is the Intercontinental GT Challenge that is the immediate focus of Nicky’s endurance programme.
Last year Nicky competed with Rowe Racing in the M6 GT3 alongside Jens Klingmann and Alexander Sims. After a tricky start to the most prestigious event of the GT year, Nicky and the team were able to make significant progress as the race unfolded.
Using pace and great strategy from the team, Nicky was able to move up the order and following a tremendous battle for the race win with a BMW M6 rivals, had to be content with second place after a fantastic recovery drive.
“The 24 Hours of Spa is definitely one of the highlights of the season and I have some great memories of this race,” Nicky said. “In 2015 I won it overall with BMW and it always seems like they have success around this circuit winning in 2017 and 2018 as well.
“This year I will be joining last year’s winners Walkenhorst Motorsport and their winning driver Christian Krognes. With Mikkel Jensen as well, I think we have a very strong driver line-up. This combined with the car makes me believe that we’ll be able to fight for a strong position even if I’m not totally sure where we are in terms of BoP, but it seems encouraging.
“So, I’m really looking forward to this even as it’s super-cool with the impressive parade in town and the drivers’ briefing in the theatre – it’s just a really nice atmosphere there – so very much looking forward to a good result.”
With over 70 entries across various classes, the 24 Hours of Spa marks the third round of the inaugural Intercontinental GT Challenge which gets underway at Saturday at 16.30 local time.