Cars from three different classes occupied the overall podium for the 24 Hours of Barcelona with the Hofor Racing GT/A6 class AMG Mercedes taking the top step, Ruffier Racing’s Porsche 997 Cup finishing second and taking the 997 class while third overall was diesel touring class winner MDM Motorsport with the BMW 320D.
56 cars took the start for the 16th running of the race at noon last Saturday. A heavy downpour two hours before the race prompted mixed tyre choices for the start, but it was those that opted for slicks that took the right gamble with the track drying.
The Barwell Motorsport Aston Martin lead from pole position, building a comfortable lead during the first hour but then suffering from a wheel issue which handed the top-spot to the De Lorenzi Racing Mercedes SLS AMG. A driver change meant giving up first place to the Stadler Porsche which held the lead until hour thirteen. During that time five hours of rain had made conditions especially difficult on track.
At midnight, the halfway point, the Stadler car had built a nine lap advantage on the Hofor AMG Mercedes but soon after a blown engine ended its charge. The Hofor squad then proceeded to take charge of the race, the squad of Kroll, Eggimann, Heyer and Frankenhout proceeded to make the race theirs, putting in the laps for the remaining hours to cross the line ten laps ahead of the Ruffier Porsche.
In the early hours of the morning, the Barwell Aston Martin was involved in a collision with the Clickvers.de Porsche. Aston pole-setter Stefan Mücke was taken to hospital but a team statement has confirmed that he has sustained no serious injuries.
