Class podium for SPS automotive performance at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa

After a strong comeback, SPS automotive performance secured third place in the Pro-Am class with the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the driver quartet George Kurtz, Colin Braun (both USA), Ian James (GBR) and Nicky Catsburg (NED) under the CrowdStrike by SPS banner.

At the 77th edition of the endurance classic at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, SPS automotive performance teamed up with CrowdStrike Racing to compete in the world's largest GT3 race with a Mercedes-AMG GT3. At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, starting driver Ian James took to the Ardennes rollercoaster at the back of the 70-strong field as the purple Mercedes-AMG GT3 started from the pit lane. James and his teammate George Kurtz, who took over at the wheel after the first stint, initially made up a few positions. However, after an incident, American driver Kurtz made an unscheduled pit stop for repairs. The team fixed the damage very quickly, but the quartet of drivers had to resume the race three laps down.

In the following hours, car #4 gained its way up to fourth place in the Pro-Am category with strong stints and flawless pit stops until late in the evening, and by the early hours of the morning it had already secured a podium position. The drivers then battled with their rivals for the podium places right up to the final stages. At the end of the 24-hour race, final driver Nicky Catsburg crossed the finish line and secured third place in the Pro-Am category for the team from Obersulm. After winning the Bronze Cup and finishing second in the Pro-Am in 2022, this is the third podium finish for SPS automotive performance in this demanding and highly competitive endurance race.

Next week, SPS automotive performance will once again compete in the International GT Open at the Hungaroring with two Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the PROAM class to defend its lead in the championship.

George Kurtz, CrowdStrike by SPS: “Being on the podium is a huge win for us. We had a few incidents that set us back, but we came back and even led at times. The SPS team did a fantastic job and gave us a very good car. It feels great to be on the podium today.”

Nicky Catsburg, CrowdStrike by SPS: "We had very good speed, but we had a few things go against us – incidents, a puncture and also drive-through penalties. I'm really happy to be on the podium. We won last year and now we're back on the podium – I'm very satisfied. The car was really good. The team did a very good job. I hope to be able to race with SPS again soon."