Australian factory Nissan driver Matt Simmons reviews an eventful Spa 24 Hours.
It was a difficult start to the weekend for the Brisbane driver and his team-mates Matt Parry and Struan Moore after Parry suffered an ill-timed tyre failure at the infamous Eau Rogue corner, hitting the barrier at over 160 kmh.
The crash forced the RJN Motorsport crew to prepare the team’s spare GT-R GT3 chassis to get the #22 entry back into the race.
Despite breaking sporting regulations, race officials allowed the newly-prepared GT-R to compete, with an additional two minute pit lane penalty to be completed after the race’s official start.
The entry’s fortunes went from bad to worse, though, when a fuel valve issue saw the #22 stranded on the circuit.
By the time the car was retrieved, fixed and served its penalty, 30 minutes of the race had elapsed and hopes of a top result were over.
However, the crew managed to bring the car home in 30th overall.