The Motors TV Racing Team, formed by members of the Motors TV Club, took part in the Spa 6 Hours relay race over the weekend of 22/23 July. The team finished 48th overall, having started from 70th place on the grid.
One of the original drivers, Joël Stere, was unable to take part at the last minute and was replaced by Jean-Luc Roy, chairman of the TV network, who joined the Motors TV team.
The event was organised as part of the Peugeot Sport meetings, and the Motors TV Peugeot 206 S16, wearing n° 401, took part in the main race, running from 8pm to 2am over the Saturday night/Sunday morning.
The Belgian circuit is famous for its ultra fast layout, dips and rises and changeable weather conditions. Starting from 70th in hot and humid conditions, drivers Patrick Segura and Jacques Voilhes had to deal with heavy and intermittent thunder storms during the course of the race. Nevertheless, they and Jean-Luc Roy drove with skill and maturity and without any problems, to finish 48th overall.
The four mechanics who reached the final and formed the pit crew were each responsible for different areas of the team operation. Sébastien Soyer, box manager, was also coordinating the team; Benoit Courdent was on the pitboard and looked after time-keeping; Guillaume Barrachim was the refueller and Gabriel Mestre took care of the mechanical side. These four had total responsibility for the car, managing the race strategy and the mandatory pit stops (set-up, tyre change, brake pads and repairs).
Jean-Luc Roy: “Once again, the Motors TV Racing Team has reached its objective: to allow members of the Motors TV Club to live their passion on a race track and participate in a unique experience. To put together a genuine team and make it work during a race meeting as competitive as this was a difficult challenge, and we are delighted to have managed it. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is a legend; very demanding and it requires bravery to tackle the famous Eau Rouge corner or the Pouhon double left-hander at more than 200 km/h. This circuit is a track for men, not boys and the Motors TV Racing Team is a ‘men’s story’, even if women contributed largely to its success!”
