After the successful start to the year in Dubai, the next task lies ahead for SPS automotive performance. From 23 to 25 February, the team around Stephan Sohn will field two Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the second race of the Intercontinental GT Challenge season – the Kyalami 9 Hour.
The former Grand Prix circuit near Johannesburg has been a venue for the Intercontinental GT Challenge for several years. In its debut year in 2019, SPS automotive performance competed as a factory-supported team at Kyalami. In a dramatic finale, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 painted in the colors of South Africa finished in fifth position. The second car, which raced in the Pro-Am class, finally finished in a good runner-up position in its category. At the upcoming edition of the Kyalami 9 Hour, SPS automotive performance would also like to have a word for class victory in the Pro-Am category.
In the #20 Mercedes-AMG GT3, Miguel Ramos (POR), Reece Barr (IRL) and Luca Stolz (GER) will share driving duties. Ramos, who can already look back on great success in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe and in the International GT Open, already entered the 2019 race for SPS automotive performance in Kyalami, where he finished second in the Pro-Am category. Young Irishman Reece Barr has competed in many motorsport series, including the International GT Open, Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and TCR Europe. In addition, Barr was significantly involved in the development of the Honda NSX GT3 Evo as a test driver. The fresh winner of the Bathurst 12 Hour, Luca Stolz, will also take his seat in the cockpit of the number 20 car and actively support the Irish-Portuguese duo.
The sister car with the starting number 75 will contest the Kyalami 9 Hour under the entry SunEnergy1 by SPS. The reigning IGTC Pro-Am Champion, Kenny Habul (AUS), will tackle the race together with Jules Gounon (AND). The driver duo took the overall victory at the legendary Bathurst 12 Hour a few weeks ago together with Luca Stolz. They will be supported by Yannick Mettler (SUI). In recent years, the Swiss driver has campaigned for SPS automotive performance in the Endurance Cup of the Fanatec GT World Challenge, in the International GT Open and at the FIA Motorsport Games. Both cars of the team from Willsbach-Obersulm will fight for points in the Pro-Am class at the Kyalami 9 Hour.
On Saturday, February 25, at 1:00 p.m. local time, the lights will go green at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit for the nine-hour race.
Reece Barr, #20 Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Thank you so much for the support of Stephan and the team of SPS for giving me the opportunity to race again in a GT3 car. I am over the moon to get such a chance, and in a proper car with a winning driver line-up and a top tier team. I’m really looking forward to this race.”
Stephan Sohn, team principal SPS automotive performance: “It’s great to be back in Kyalami. We have positive memories of this track and would like to bring home a good result this time as well.”
