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Waltrip, Kauffmann Suit up for Spa 24 Hour Sportscar Race in Belgium
Michael Waltrip Racing co-owners’, Michael Waltrip and Rob Kauffman have teamed up with the AF Corse team for the second time in 2010 to run this weekend’s Spa 24 Hours endurance race on the Spa-Franchorchamps circuit in Spa, Belgium.
The two-time Daytona 500 champion and his business partner look forward to the challenges of the 4.352-mile course. They’ll be going up against a field made up of four different categories and consisting of top manufactures such as Ferrari, Audi, Porsche and BMW.
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"The track is super challenging," said Waltrip. "It’s a really high-speed road course that consists of a lot of hills and blind corners. I am looking forward to the endurance portion of the race. I’m used to competing in three hour NASCAR events and this is an opportunity to do something totally different." The AF Corse will compete in a Ferrari F430 GT2 and has captured two wins in this prestigious event. The driver lineup will consist of Waltrip, Kauffman, Niki Cadei and Marco Cioci.
"The Spa 24 hour race is one of the greatest endurance racing challenges and I am just really excited to be a part of the event," said Kauffman. "Amato Ferrari and his AF Corse team have a lot of experience and have won this event multiple times. We are looking forward to a successful outing this weekend in Belgium."
Earlier this year, Waltrip joined Kauffman along with JTG Daugherty Racing’s Marcos Ambrose for the fifth annual Dubai 24 Hour sportscar race at the Dubai Autodrome on January 14-16. The AF Corse team performed extremely well — running sixth overall and leading its class before getting involved in an accident.
"Obviously the goal is to finish the event and if we accomplish that, a podium finish wouldn’t be out of the question, "Waltrip added. "That would make the trip across the water a huge success. The coolest part for me is seeing a new part of the world, hanging with my partner Rob Kauffman and being able to race at this historic venue in Spa, Belgium. This place hosted its first 24 Hour endurance race in 1924, now that’s some history!
AF Corse team joined forces with defending FIA GT1 champions Vitaphone Racing who will start from the pole. The team consists of Eric van de Poele, Bert Longin, Toni Vilander and Gimmi Bruni. Waltrip’s team will start the prestigious event 19th.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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