The Spa-Francorchamps circuit was the setting for the third round of the GT Open 2024 season and the first event of the year to use the alternative format with a single race lasting 2 hours and 40 minutes designated as the Spa 500. Alex Fontana was participating together with the Car Collection team and the American graduate of the AF Academy “Hash” at the wheel of the Porsche 992 GT3 R #12 in the PRO-AM class.
The weekend began with qualifying on the Saturday, with the drivers divided into two sessions, the average times from which being used to establish the grid positions for the start of the race.Hash was the driver chosen for the first session and recorded the 35th fastest time of 2:25.057, with the stint marked by a long interruption and changeable weather conditions.Qualifying was more straightforward for Fontana who managed to claim 6th place with a time of 2:17.161. The two results permitted the team to start from 26th place on the grid, with the 14th fastest time in class, meaning that #12 car would need to stage a notable fight-back.
Hash took the first stint in the Car Collection team’s Porsche but unfortunately lost ground and a few positions due to several bumps and a spin in the heated early battle, handing over the car to the Swiss driver in 31st place during the first to the three pit-stop windows featuring in the race.Fontana had the arduous task of making up ground and thanks to excellent race pace climbed through the field to 18th place with a sequence of fantastic overtakes.Back on track, Hash succeeded in maintaining a consistent pace to concretize his teammate’s work, handing back the car when lying in 21st place. Fontana then drive through to the chequered flag, continuing where he had left off in his first sting, finishing the race in 16th place overall and 7th in the PRO-AM class.
Fontana and Hash conquered their first four points of the season in the PRO-AM class, rising to 17th place in the standings.The next round of the GT Open is scheduled for the 23rd of June on the Hungaroring circuit, with the event seeing the return of the format with two sprint races 70 and 60 minutes.
Alex Fontana
“This was a really positive weekend and we finally managed to break into the top 10 in our class, without doubt a great result after the disappointing Hockenheim round.Hash is making notable progress and showed as much in this race. I hope this result will be encouraging for him and for all the AF Academy drivers. Naturally I would like to thank the Car Collection team who as ever provided us with a car offering as much performance as possible.We’ll be looking to repeat and hopefully improve on this result next time out in Hungary.”