The 2020 running of the Spa 24 Hours endurance race has been rescheduled for October.
Originally scheduled to take place on the last weekend of July, the event – which serves as a double-points Endurance Cup round of the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE) and International GT Challenge (IGTC) series’ – was postponed following the Belgian governments ban on large social gatherings.
The ban was recently extended until August 31, throwing the original date into serious doubt. The ban has also affected the Belgian Grand Prix scheduled to take place on August 30.
A statement issued by GTWCE organiser the Stephane Ratel Organistation (SRO) said that it is “now fully focussed on ensuring that the 2020 Total 24 Hours of Spa upholds its reputation as the world’s premier GT race”.
“The traditions that have established its success over many years will be maintained wherever possible, while the unique aspects of competing in autumn will also be celebrated.
“Moving the main event back by three months will ensure that the logistical and organisational challenges posed by the Total 24 Hours of Spa can be met, while the new date will also create a unique visual spectacle in the Ardennes. Running in autumn will mean fewer daylight hours at the circuit, adding further night running and increasing the sporting challenge faced by competitors.”
The postponement means that the next scheduled IGTC race is the Suzuka 10 Hours on August 23.
The GTWCE is scheduled to kick off the Sprint Cup at Zandvoort on June 27-28 while the Endurance Series is on track for a September 6 start at the Nürburgring.