The winning BMW Z4 GT3 in the rain at Spa. [Photo by BMW Motorsport]
Lucas Luhr, along with BMW teammates Nick Catsburg and Markus Palttala won the 24 Hours of Spa in fine style last weekend, in a thrilling race that featured an outstanding field of GT cars racing in what at times were torrential downpours.
Besting the second place Audi R8 LMS by over a lap, the winning BMW Z4 GT3 of Marc VDS Racing covered 536 laps of the historic and ultra fast Spa circuit on its way to the overall victory.
Lucas Luhr is no stranger to race fans here in the US, as he is quite well known for his drives in the Joest Audi, the Porsche RS Spyder and the Muscle Milk team in the American Le Mans Series, among others.
Lucas is also no stranger to race winning and championships. He was the American Le Mans LMP1 champion in 2008, 2012 and 2013, LMP2 champion in 2006, and American Le Mans GT champion in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Couple those results with his 3 Le Mans class victories, 5 Sebring class wins and two overall victories at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring and you can see that Lucas has quite the racing resume.
He also won class at the 24 Hours of Spa in 2005, but this overall victory last weekend was his first win overall in that grueling race. This victory was very sweet indeed, having had to settle for second overall last year by just a few seconds. This year’s win was also the first 24 hour race victory for both Marc VDS racing and the BMW Z4 GT3.
As Lucas said after the race: “It’s still unreal, especially after coming so close last year. I’m super, mega happy. It’s great for the team, and it’s great for BMW. It was a very tricky drive, but we never gave up.”
American fans will have a chance to see Lucas in action next weekend at Road America, where Lucas will be driving for BMW again in the BMW Z4 GTE of BMW Team RRL in the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship race.
Born in 1979 in Germany and currently residing in Switzerland, Lucas is both a fierce competitor and very nice guy, who has been a fan favorite since he started racing in the US. Well known in the sports car community, Lucas is always available to spend time with fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. He loves racing in the US, and Road America is one of his favorite tracks.
Mark your calendar for August 7-9 and get to Road America for the Continental Tire Road Race Showcase, which features the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship. Elkhart Lake’s Road America is one of our favorite tracks in North America and track president George Bruggenthies and his crew do a fantastic job. Race events there are always a delight.
When at Road America, be sure to stop by the BMW paddock and congratulate Lucas Luhr on his outstanding win at Spa.
See you at there.
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