Historic Endurance: 3 Hours of Spa Once Again Attracts a Stellar Grid in the Ardennes

The 2025 season of the Iberian Historic Endurance kicks off with the 9th edition of the 3 Hours of Spa — an event that has become a key fixture on the international historic racing calendar, attracting a large and eye-catching grid each year at the Spa Summer Classic. This event brings together big names from the world of motorsport, classic racing specialists, amateur drivers, and true motorsport enthusiasts in a relaxed yet competitive atmosphere.

Following the “warm-up” provided by two races held at the Algarve Iberian Racing Festival earlier this month, the Historic Endurance field now faces the longest race of the season at one of the most iconic circuits in world motorsport: the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

This year’s edition, with around fifty entries, once again boasts an impressive starting grid, featuring some of the finest GT and Touring Car models produced up to 1976.

With thirteen manufacturers represented and drivers from fourteen different nationalities among the roughly one hundred participants, the stats show Lotus as the most successful marque in the Belgian Ardennes, with the Elan standing out as the winningest model in the H-1965 category. The competition, however, is formidable, with models like the Shelby Cobra and Jaguar E-Type, as well as the ever-popular Porsche 911 3.0 RS, which has dominated the H-1976 class since 2021.

As is tradition, the event will feature high-profile names from the world of motorsport, such as Ben Baker, Ford works driver in the FIA WEC. The Briton, one of last year’s winners, will team up in a Lotus Elan with BTCC star Rory Butcher, an official Toyota driver.

On a circuit where local drivers are true specialists, names like Vanina Ickx – former DTM driver and daughter of Jacky Ickx – and former F3000 racer Nico Verdonck lend serious weight to the home team's hopes.

Despite the Iberian roots of the Historic Endurance, the competition’s well-established international presence is clearly evident at this Belgian round, with several familiar names taking part. These include Dane Palle Pedersen in the ever-speedy Ginetta G4R, the pairing of Paul Daniels and Markus Palttala in their Porsche 911 RS 2.8, Rhea Sautter and Andrew Newall in their unmistakable Jaguar E-Type, the regular duo of Volker Hichert and Bjorn Ebsen in their Alfa Romeo GTAm, and the Belgian trio of Brice Pineau, Olivier Muytjens and Gregoire Audi, who will be sharing driving duties in both a Porsche 911 RS and a Lotus Elan over the course of the weekend.

This weekend at the Belgian circuit, Manuel Ferrão (#41 Porsche 911 2.3 ST, Gr.4 H-71) once again places his trust in the reliability of the classic German machine, the "Green Bomb," formerly driven by Américo Nunes. Meanwhile, the trio of Piero dal Maso, José Carvalhosa and Guilherme dal Maso (#337 Porsche 911 2.3 ST, Gr.4 H-71) aim to surprise the favourites and repeat their success from 2021. In the H-1976 category, spurred on by their win in the opening race at Portimão, Bruno Duarte and Filipe Silva Jesus (#83 Porsche 911 RS 3.0) will also be competing in one of Porsche’s most iconic models, widely recognised for its performance in this type of event.

The Spanish contingent will be represented by Javier Basagotti and Manuel Capelo, who will also be making their debut in the event at the wheel of a Porsche 911 ST.

Index of Performance: Precision, Tradition, and Reward in Haute Horology

Beyond the battle for outright victory and respective categories, at iconic corners such as L’Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Kemmel, Malmedy, Stavelot, Blanchimont, or La Source, the prestigious Index of Performance will also be contested. This unique classification within the Historic Endurance series prioritises the older and smaller-engined cars.

Models such as the Austin Healey and Lotus Elan, by tradition, are the main contenders for this trophy. The winner takes home an exclusive Cuervo y Sobrinos watch – a piece of Swiss haute horology with a Latin soul – making this distinction even more coveted.

With the weather conditions always being the biggest unknown of the weekend, the format for the 3 Hours of Spa remains unchanged from last year, with a single 45-minute qualifying session scheduled for Saturday at 14:40 (local time). The main race will take place on Sunday, starting at 09:50, with a maximum duration of 180 minutes.

SPA 3 HOURS – HALL OF FAME (2016–2024)

2024 B. Barker/G. Shedden - Lotus Elan

2023 A. Jordan/J. Todorff - Lotus Elan

2022 C. Van Riet/F. Bouvy - Shelby Cobra

2021 C. Van Riet/F. Bouvy - Shelby Cobra

2020 -----------------------------------------

2019 W. Graham/D. Pittard - Lotus Elan 26R

2018 O. Bryant/G. Bryant - Ford GT40

2017 G. Gomes/J. Claridge - Lotus 47

2016 M. Whitaker/N. Reuben – TVR Griffith

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