The 63^rd edition of the Spa 24 Hours promises to produce an exciting showdown between some of the world’s fastest GT3 and GT4 cars, from the Porsche 997 GT3 and Audi R8 LMS, to the Mercedes SLS, Aston Martin DBRS9, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini LMP600 and BMW Z4 GT3.

This year, the field will be divided into two classes: Pro Cup and Pro Am Cup. The “pros” include such established teams as Vita4One (Ferrari 458), Hexis AMR (two Aston Martins), Audi Sport Team WRT, United Autosport and Audi Sport Team Phoenix (R8 LMS), Manthey Racing and ProSpeed Competition (Porsche), and Marc VDS Racing (Ford GT), while the McLaren GT is poised to make its competitive debut in the hands of CRS Racing.

In 2010, the BMS Scuderia Italia Porsche 997 RSR/MICHELIN of Dumas/Ragginger/Bergmeister/Henzler snatched victory in the closing stages. More recently, the pre-race test days (July 5-6) were topped by the Haribo Manthey Racing Porsche, with Richard Westbrook posting the best time ahead of one of the Hexis AMR Aston Martins and a Ferrari 458 Italia. Because of the regulations, Porsche will have trouble defending its win against the Audi R8 LMSs, Astons, Mercedes and BMW Z4s. On top of that, the German make has chosen not to despatch any of its factory drivers to the Belgian Ardennes this time round.

The 2011 Spa 24 Hours is scheduled to start at 4pm on Saturday, July 30. The famous DJ Bob Sinclar has been tasked with providing off-track entertainment on Saturday evening.

Audi R8 LMS, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini LMP600, Michelin, Spa 24 Hours 2011