What Is 2013 24 Hours of Spa

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 24 Hours of Spa was an endurance GT racing event held on July 28, 2013, at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. It was won by the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT with drivers Dries Vanthoor, Laurens Vanthoor, and René Rast in an Audi R8 LMS Ultra.

Key Facts

The 2013 24 Hours of Spa took place from July 25–28, 2013, at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium
Audi R8 LMS Ultra #1, driven by Laurens Vanthoor, Dries Vanthoor, and René Rast, won the race
The winning car completed 573 laps, covering approximately 4,700 kilometers
A total of 63 cars started the race across multiple GT3 and GT4 classes
Extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain and fog, caused multiple safety car periods and red flags

Overview

The 2013 24 Hours of Spa was a pivotal endurance race in the Blancpain Endurance Series, attracting top GT3 teams and drivers from around the world. Held at the legendary 7.004-kilometer Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the event tested driver stamina, team strategy, and car reliability over 24 grueling hours.

Known for its unpredictable weather and challenging Eau Rouge-Radillion complex, Spa provided a dramatic backdrop for this year’s race. The 2013 edition was particularly notable for its mix of factory-backed entries and privateer teams, showcasing the depth of GT racing talent.

July 28, 2013: The race concluded on this date after starting at 16:30 local time on July 27, marking the 66th running of the event.
63 entries: A full grid of 63 cars participated, with 48 in the GT3 class and 15 in the GT4 class, reflecting strong international interest.
Audi R8 LMS Ultra: The winning #1 car from Belgian Audi Club Team WRT demonstrated superior pace and consistency over the full distance.
Weather disruptions: Persistent rain and fog led to multiple red flags and safety car deployments, significantly impacting race strategy.
René Rast: The German driver played a crucial role in the final stints, maintaining position despite deteriorating track conditions.

How It Works

The 24 Hours of Spa is a GT endurance race that follows strict FIA GT3 regulations, requiring teams to balance speed, fuel efficiency, and tire management over 24 hours. Each car is driven by a team of 3–4 drivers who rotate during pit stops, with mandatory driver change and refueling windows.

Endurance Format: The race lasts 24 consecutive hours, with teams aiming to complete the most laps; the clock never stops except during red flags.
Driver Rotation: Each driver must complete at least 40 minutes but no more than 3 hours per stint, ensuring fair workload distribution.
Pit Strategy: Teams must plan for tire changes, refueling, and driver swaps, with average pit stops lasting 2–3 minutes under green flag conditions.
Weather Impact: Spa’s mountainous location leads to sudden weather changes, requiring real-time strategy adjustments and wet-weather tire use.
Class Structure: Cars are divided into GT3 Pro, GT3 Pro-Am, and GT4 categories, with separate classifications but shared track time.
Scoring System: Points contribute to the Blancpain Endurance Series championship, with additional awards for class winners and fastest laps.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of top finishers in the 2013 24 Hours of Spa based on laps completed, car models, and team performance:

Position	Team	Car Model	Laps Completed	Drivers
1st	Belgian Audi Club Team WRT	Audi R8 LMS Ultra	573	Laurens Vanthoor, Dries Vanthoor, René Rast
2nd	Petit Racing by WRT	Audi R8 LMS Ultra	571	Yelmer Buurman, Stéphane Ortelli, Yann Clairay
3rd	Hexis Racing	Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3	569	Stef Dusschoten, Frederic Makowiecki, Clivio Piccione
4th	ParkinGO Team MRS	BMW Z4 GT3	567	Stefano Gattuso, Mirco Baldaccini, Alessandro Balzan
5th	Team 360 Racing	Ferrari 458 Italia GT3	565	Simon Mann, Sam Hancock, Michael Malloy

The table highlights the dominance of Audi in this edition, with two of the top three positions. The close lap counts—only 8 laps separated first and fifth—emphasize the competitive nature of the race, where small margins determined podium finishes. Reliability, driver consistency, and strategic pit work were decisive factors in the final standings.

Why It Matters

The 2013 24 Hours of Spa had a lasting impact on GT racing, influencing team strategies and manufacturer approaches in endurance events. Its outcome reinforced Audi’s engineering excellence and spotlighted emerging talents like Laurens Vanthoor.

Manufacturer Prestige: Winning at Spa enhances a brand’s motorsport reputation, particularly for Audi, which secured a 1–2 finish.
Driver Careers: Strong performances here often lead to factory contracts; René Rast later became a DTM champion.
Technical Development: Data from the race informed future R8 LMS Ultra updates, improving cooling and aerodynamics.
Endurance Strategy: The race became a case study in weather-adaptive pit strategies used in later WEC events.
Global Audience: Broadcast to over 80 countries, it raised the profile of GT3 racing beyond Europe.
Safety Innovations: Multiple red flags prompted improved trackside response protocols for future events.

The 2013 race remains a benchmark for competitive balance and endurance excellence, remembered for its drama, skill, and technological demands.