Christopher Mies ready for Spa 24 Hours
Eight weeks after his triumph in the Nürburgring 24 Hours Christopher Mies is hurling himself into the next endurance adventure. In the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (B) the Audi driver will be contesting one of the toughest GT3 endurance races this weekend (24–26 July).
21 July 2015 The Spa 24 Hours rank at the very top of GT pro Christopher Mies’ personal list of favourites. The iconic event that is held as part of the Blancpain Endurance Series not only scores with the Audi driver in terms of tradition. Due to its configuration the notorious Ardennes roller-coaster also numbers among the world’s most thrilling circuits for the racer from Heiligenhausen, Germany.
Mies has not been experiencing any emotional roller-coaster rides in Belgium, though. On the contrary, he has consistently been in contention for overall victory, as second place in 2012 was followed by third in each of the subsequent years. Now Mies, together with his seasoned team-mates Christian Mamerow (D) and Nicki Thiim (DK), is aiming to mount the top step of the podium. His squad, Audi Sport Team Phoenix, is fielding a new Audi R8 LMS in this endeavour. Mies won in this car in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May.
“The Spa 24 Hours are very special,” says the 26-year-old who will be competing with about 60 GT3 race cars in the Ardennes adventure. “The conditions on this challenging track are unique. Eau Rouge is sheer thrill. We really need to watch our step here because the field is extremely strong this year.”
Mies is travelling to the 67th running of the race with plenty of tailwind. Following his success in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, no doubt the most emotional victory in his career, he upped the ante in the Australian GT Championship. After one victory in three rounds he is on his way up in Down Under. In third place overall halfway through the season, he is in contention for the title.
“Having ventured the step of racing in Australia was a very good decision. The races are spectacular and most of them are held on city street circuits,” says Mies, who has made a name for himself in Australia on winning the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour. But his successes in Europe are noted there as well. Mies: “With a top result at Spa I’d like to make my next mark.”
