What Is 2010 24 Hours of Spa

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2010 24 Hours of Spa was a 24-hour endurance race held on July 31–August 1 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, won by the No. 70 Team Oreca Matmut Oreca-AIM with drivers Nicolas Lapierre, Olivier Panis, and Loïc Duval.

Key Facts

The 2010 24 Hours of Spa took place from July 31 to August 1, 2010, at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
Team Oreca Matmut Oreca-AIM won the race with car No. 70, driven by Nicolas Lapierre, Olivier Panis, and Loïc Duval.
A total of 62 cars participated, representing over 15 manufacturers including Audi, BMW, and Porsche.
The winning car completed 577 laps, covering approximately 4,337 kilometers during the 24-hour period.
This was the 63rd running of the Spa 24 Hours, one of the oldest endurance races in the world.

Overview

The 2010 24 Hours of Spa was the 63rd edition of one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races, held at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Taking place from July 31 to August 1, 2010, the race attracted a global field of professional and amateur drivers competing in GT3 and GT4 classes.

Organized under SRO Motorsports Group regulations, the event emphasized close competition and reliability over raw speed. With unpredictable weather and night racing conditions, teams had to manage tire wear, fuel strategy, and driver rotations to succeed.

62 entries from 15 different nations competed, making it one of the most internationally diverse grids in the race’s history.
The Team Oreca Matmut Oreca-AIM secured victory with their No. 70 Oreca 4.0L V8 prototype, driven by Nicolas Lapierre, Olivier Panis, and Loïc Duval.
577 laps were completed by the winning car, covering roughly 4,337 kilometers—the equivalent of driving from Brussels to Tehran in a single stint.
The race featured eight safety car periods, primarily due to heavy rain and multiple on-track incidents during night sessions.
Audi R8 LMS dominated the GT3 class, with four of the top ten finishers using the German manufacturer’s machinery.

How It Works

The 24 Hours of Spa is structured as a non-stop endurance race where teams aim to complete the most laps within 24 hours. Driver changes, refueling, and mechanical repairs occur during pit stops, with strategy playing a critical role.

Endurance Format: The race lasts exactly 24 hours, beginning at 16:30 local time on Saturday and ending at 16:30 on Sunday, testing mechanical and human limits.
Driver Rotation: Each car must have at least three drivers, with no single driver exceeding 14 hours total behind the wheel during the race.
Weather Challenges: The Ardennes region is known for sudden rain; in 2010, over 6 hours of the race occurred under wet conditions, affecting tire choices and pit strategies.
Pit Stops: Teams averaged a pit stop every 45 to 55 minutes, depending on fuel consumption and tire degradation rates.
Class System: Cars were divided into Pro, Pro-Am, and Am classes, with separate standings to encourage participation from amateur drivers.
Penalties: Time penalties were issued for exceeding driver time limits or track limits violations, with 12 cars penalized during the 2010 event.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of top finishing teams in the 2010 24 Hours of Spa highlights performance differences across manufacturers and team strategies.

Position	Team	Car	Laps Completed	Class
1st	Team Oreca Matmut Oreca-AIM	Oreca 4.0L V8	577	Pro
2nd	Phoenix Racing	Audi R8 LMS	575	Pro
3rd	Marc VDS Racing Team	BMW Z4 GT3	573	Pro
4th	Prospeed Competition	Porsche 911 GT3 R	569	Pro-Am
5th	ROWE Racing	BMW Z4 GT3	568	Pro-Am

The close lap counts among top finishers—only 9 laps separated first and fifth place—illustrate the high level of competition and reliability required. Small margins in pit efficiency and driver consistency determined final standings.

Why It Matters

The 2010 24 Hours of Spa had significant implications for GT racing, influencing manufacturer development and driver careers. Its results helped shape future endurance racing regulations and team strategies.

Manufacturer Prestige: Audi strengthened its reputation by placing three cars in the top ten, boosting marketing and customer interest in the R8 LMS.
Driver Exposure: Nicolas Lapierre’s win elevated his profile, leading to further opportunities in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Technical Feedback: Data from the race informed future Oreca chassis development, especially in cooling and aerodynamics under wet conditions.
Amateur Involvement: The Pro-Am class allowed privateers to compete, increasing accessibility and boosting entry numbers in future years.
Global Audience: The race was broadcast in over 40 countries, reaching an estimated 85 million viewers worldwide.
Historic Continuity: As the 63rd running, it reinforced Spa’s status as one of motorsport’s longest-running endurance events, after Le Mans and Targa Florio.

The 2010 24 Hours of Spa remains a benchmark for endurance racing excellence, combining technical innovation, driver skill, and unpredictable conditions into a single, grueling test of speed and stamina.