What Is 2008 24 Hours of Spa

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 24 Hours of Spa was a 24-hour endurance race held on August 2, 2008, at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. It was won by the No. 22 Team Rosberg Audi R8 LMS driven by Mike Rockenfeller, Bernd Schneider, and Jérôme d'Ambrosio.

Key Facts

The 2008 24 Hours of Spa took place on August 2, 2008, at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Team Rosberg's No. 22 Audi R8 LMS won the race, driven by Mike Rockenfeller, Bernd Schneider, and Jérôme d'Ambrosio
A total of 62 cars started the race, representing 13 different manufacturers
The winning car completed 571 laps, covering approximately 4,300 kilometers
The race was part of the FIA GT Championship and the Belgian GT Championship

Overview

The 2008 24 Hours of Spa was one of the most competitive and dramatic endurance races in the history of the Belgian classic. Held on August 2, 2008, at the 7.004-kilometer Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the event attracted a full international field of GT and touring cars across multiple classes.

As part of both the FIA GT Championship and the Belgian GT Championship, the race combined professional factory teams with privateer squads. The unpredictable Ardennes weather and challenging track layout tested drivers' endurance, strategy, and mechanical reliability over the full 24-hour period.

62 entries from 13 different manufacturers participated, including Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and BMW, making it one of the most diverse grids in recent memory.
The race began at 16:00 local time on August 2, 2008, under partly cloudy skies, with temperatures around 22°C (72°F), though rain later disrupted several teams' strategies.
Team Rosberg fielded the winning No. 22 Audi R8 LMS, a car developed by Audi Sport and based on the production R8, powered by a 5.2L V10 engine.
The winning trio—Mike Rockenfeller, Bernd Schneider, and Jérôme d'Ambrosio—rotated driving duties, with Rockenfeller setting the fastest lap in class during the final hours.
The race saw over 15 full-course safety car periods due to crashes and weather, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining pace and position over 24 grueling hours.

How It Works

The 24 Hours of Spa is structured as a multi-class endurance race where GT3 and GT4 cars compete simultaneously under strict regulations to ensure fairness and safety across performance levels.

Endurance Format: The race runs continuously for 24 hours, with teams relying on driver rotations, pit strategy, and mechanical durability to complete the most laps. Each car typically uses 3–4 drivers.
Driver Regulations: Each driver must complete a minimum of 2 hours and maximum of 7 hours behind the wheel during the race, with mandatory rest periods enforced between stints.
Pit Stops: Refueling, tire changes, and driver swaps occur in designated pit windows; unscheduled stops due to damage can cost critical time, especially during safety car periods.
Weather Impact: Spa’s mountainous location makes it prone to sudden rain; teams must anticipate conditions and decide between slicks and wets, often with split-second timing.
Class Structure: Cars are grouped into Pro, Pro-Am, and Am classes based on driver experience and car performance, allowing close competition across different tiers.
Scoring System: The winner is determined by the greatest number of completed laps after 24 hours; in case of a tie, average lap time determines the outcome.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the top five finishers in the 2008 24 Hours of Spa compared in key performance metrics:

Position	Team & Car	Drivers	Laps Completed	Reason for DNF (if applicable)
1st	Team Rosberg – Audi R8 LMS	Rockenfeller, Schneider, d'Ambrosio	571	N/A
2nd	Phoenix Racing – Audi R8 LMS	Heidfeld, Winkelhock, Bernhard	569	N/A
3rd	AF Corse – Ferrari F430 GT	Bartels, Biagi, Bertolini	566	N/A
4th	Team Oreca – Porsche 911 GT3 RSR	Lamy, Lahaye, Sarron	564	N/A
5th	Reiter Engineering – Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT	Kox, Heidfeld, Kaffer	558	N/A

The close lap counts among the top finishers illustrate the high level of competition and mechanical parity among top GT teams. Only a 3-lap difference separated first and third place, underscoring how strategy and reliability—not just speed—determine outcomes in endurance racing.

Why It Matters

The 2008 24 Hours of Spa remains a landmark event in GT racing history due to its competitive depth, dramatic weather shifts, and the emergence of the Audi R8 LMS as a dominant platform.

The victory marked Audi’s first overall win at the 24 Hours of Spa with the R8 LMS, establishing the car as a force in GT competition.
It highlighted the growing importance of Pro-Am driver lineups, with mixed-professional teams becoming the norm in endurance series.
The race contributed to the global popularity of GT3 regulations, which later became the standard for customer racing worldwide.
Spa’s challenging layout and weather tested real-world reliability of production-based race cars, influencing future automotive development.
It served as a proving ground for future Formula 1 and WEC drivers, including Jérôme d'Ambrosio, who later raced in F1.
The event drew over 100,000 spectators and significant TV coverage, boosting the profile of endurance racing in Europe.

Today, the 2008 race is remembered not only for its thrilling finish but also for shaping the future of GT motorsport, setting benchmarks for team coordination, car development, and fan engagement.