The Total 24 Hours of Spa for the year 2013 is soon to begin. This year will mark the 2nd consecutive year for the McLaren’s GT customer team which goes by the name Von Ryan Racing. With the entry of this team, it is expected that the around 10 new models of McLaren 12C GT3 will be seen in later part of the month. The chief test driver of McLaren, Chris Goodwin, will be seen as a part of this team once again. He had competed earlier in the Blancpain Endurance Racing Series in the last year. With this he joins Rob Barff who is a former team mate and Bruno Senna who is an Ex F1 racer.
Chris will take charge of the cockpit of the ferocious #88 McLaren for this Toyota 24 Hours of Spa. With this very car, Chris and Rob Barff had secured a 4th place after a tough 24 Hours in the ProAm category at the very first attempt. They finished the race with only 30 seconds under the winning time. For this season as well the Von Ryan Team will be led by Dave Ryan who is McLaren team manager. He will be supported by Dragon Racing and Leon Price. Chris will be reunited with Rob Barff for this and they will be joined by Bruno Senna who is playing his part in the GT Drive Programme 2013.
Chris Goodwin has played a very important role in shaping Bruno Senna’s career through the F1 and junior races. This line up is therefore very special for him. Chris has expressed his opinion on this line up saying that ” It is a fantastic opportunity to tackle my favourite race again with Von Ryan Racing, and it’s great to be back in the car sharing with Rob Barff. He has been racing with the team throughout the season, and has been one of the quickest and most consistent drivers on the grid. Of course, I’m really looking forward to racing with Bruno as well. We have worked together for many years now, but we have never actually driven together before so this will be a new experience for both of us. I’ve watched him race at Spa many times in GP2, Formula 1™ and in GT cars, and know how quick he can be. It should be a fun weekend! “
Bruno Senna has also expressed his views on this saying that “I have really enjoyed the experience of racing in GTs so far this season, but this will be my first race in a McLaren. Obviously it is a brand that my family has close links with, and I am really honoured to have the chance to have the opportunity to race the 12C GT3 in the 50th year of the team. I am really looking forward to racing with Chris as well. We have worked together for a number of years, and it will be a lot of fun to race alongside him, and with the Von Ryan Racing team we hope to be able to get a strong result after 24 Hours at one of my favourite race circuits.’
