GROVE Racing’s participation in the 24 Hours of Spa will not be affected by a high-speed crash during testing.
The team’s quartet of Earl Bamber, Anton De Pasquale, Brenton Grove and Stephen Grove took part in a two-day test late last month at the legendary Belgian circuit, after which footage emerged on social media showing damage to their new 992-spec Porsche 911 GT3 R.
It was the latter at the wheel for a qualifying run when he suffered a spin through Eau Rouge.
Grove Sr though is adamant the damage was more cosmetic than serious.
“The car’s fine,” he told V8 Sleuth. “I think there was nine or 10 pretty serious accidents there (during testing).
“I was in the car, it was at the end of the day, we had done about eight hours of full running over the two days.
“We decided to do a quali run with full fuel and then do a long run after one lap.
“Going through Eau Rouge we lost the rear and we tapped the wall.
“The damage looked worse than it actually is, the car is ready to go for the 24 Hour.”
The Supercars team owner noted the upgraded machinery has been a gamechanger ahead of the June 29 to July 2 event.
“I was two seconds quicker than I was last year there and the other guys were quicker,” said Grove.
“Earl was quickest there I think for the two days, I think he did a high 2:16 which is unbelievable. He did that after just five laps.
“The interesting thing is now, that’s a very, very tough track and we’re all on the limit now because the car is on the limit. I would be surprised if the Pros don’t do a 2:15 in quali (pole position was secured last year with a 2:16.221s by Andrea Caldarelli).
“We were obviously driving for the first time the new 992; the car is exceptionally quick and you can’t make mistakes. Eau Rouge, it’s nearly 250km/h through there.
“We always used to have a lift through there with the old car, maybe one lap in quali you could do it.
“The top boys, Earl was having no lift and Brenton was the same pretty well for most of all the sessions. For me it was a bit harder to get to no lift.
“We did that in that quali run which didn’t end up too great. It’s quite hard to do that.
“So the cars are developing and the track is still the same is what I’m saying.”
There is set to be a further Supercars presence in the Spa enduro in the form of Chaz Mostert, who drove for SunEnergy1 Racing at the same test.
