This weekend represents the biggest challenge for Oman Racing as they head to the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps for the Blancpain Endurance Series.

The Motorbase Performance team’s Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, driven by Ahmad Al Harthy, Michael Caine and Stephen Jelley faces a formidable entry of 60 GT cars in a field packed full of quality teams and drivers.

It takes a mighty effort from the drivers and every member of the team to score a good result in a 24-hour race and the squad heads to Belgium in confident mood after a strong performance at Spa during the recent British GT Championship sprint races at the world-famous track.

In endurance racing terms, the 24 hours of Spa is the blue riband event of the season as the race focuses solely on GT cars, unlike the Le Mans 24-hours where the LMP prototypes dominate the race. The race has an incredible history dating back to 1924 and has been won by some of the greatest drivers in the sport’s heritage.

Former winners include Mike Hawthorn, Jacky Ickx, Gerhard Berger and Dieter Quester. For the last three years it has been the season highlight of the Blancpain Endurance Series.

For Motorbase Performance it will be one of the biggest races that the team has contested, but the Aston Martin has shown tremendous reliability in endurance races and the driver line-up is very strong.

Success in any 24-hour race relies on some good fortune as well as a strong and consistent race without the need for unscheduled pit stops. If things slot into place, the Oman-backed car has the potential to deliver a very good result.

Speaking ahead of what will be a challenging weekend, Team Principal David Bartrum said: “This is a massive challenge for the drivers and every single member of the Motorbase Performance team. But it is a challenge that we are really looking forward to and our recent experience of Spa with the Aston Martin should serve us well.

“There is a fantastic entry, but we’re going to Belgium in confident mood. Of course, the weather at Spa can be incredibly tricky and that’s another key factor in determining how the race unfolds.”

The build-up to the big race starts on Tuesday (22 July) with technical scrutineering. On Wednesday afternoon the cars will take part in a spectacular parade into the centre of Spa town for an autograph session and drivers’ briefing.

Free practice starts at 11.55am on Thursday, with qualifying from 8.45pm and night qualifying from 10.30pm. The 24-hour race will start at 4.30pm on Saturday (26 July).

Live streaming will be online at www.blancpain-gt-series.com/live with live television coverage of the race on Motors TV.

Pictures supplied by Brecht Decancq Photography.