The Iron Dames took pole position for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, with Sarah Bovy taking her first home pole around the iconic Ardennes circuit ahead of Saturday’s race.
After showing strong pace throughout Free Practice, the Iron Dames were firmly in contention for the top spot in Qualifying. Belgian native Sarah was behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 for the session held under bright blue skies.
Sarah was on top form in the opening segment, taking the top spot and securing a place in the Hyperpole session against the 18-strong LMGT3 field with a time of 2 minutes 20.527 seconds.
The 10-minute Hyperpole was interrupted and delayed, but Sarah remained unfazed. She put in a benchmark of 2m20.755s when the track action resumed, laying down a marker for her rivals.
The Belgian was able to hold on and take her first ever pole position at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which has a very special meaning and emotion as it takes place in front of her loyal fans.
The accomplishment also signifies a breakthrough for the Iron Dames, as it marks the team’s first FIA WEC LMGT3 pole and the first-ever with Lamborghini.
After their three pole positions and their historic FIA WEC victory in Bahrain last season, this first outstanding performance in the LMGT3 era with Lamborghini illustrates the team’s ability to work hard, progress and play a leading role at the highest level of endurance racing, whatever the challenge, whatever the manufacturer.
This milestone sets a promising tone for the race where Sarah Bovy, along with her team-mates Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting, will start from the LMGT3 front row for the six-hour race in Belgium.
After clinching pole position Sarah said: “It is the first pole position was the Lamborighini and in FIA WEC this year and at home. I am super emotional, it’s incredible. The feeling is that I have no word. Thank you to everybody for the hard work. It feels like a victory but the hardest part of the weekend is tomorrow. I want to do it with Michelle and Rahel. I want to go out there and give it everything. We have to keep this position and I want to win this race.” By Melissa Warren
