Incredible Atmosphere, Elite Pace, and Heartbreak at Spa: Barr’s First 24H Charge

The Spa 24 Hours was one of the most unforgettable weeks of racing Reece has experienced - a true celebration of motorsport. From the electric fan energy to the drama on track, it was a weekend that delivered it all. Alongside teammates Ben, Alex, and Tommy in the #23 McLaren 720S GT3, Barr showed front-running pace and real momentum before a mechanical failure made for a difficult hour 14.

The build-up to the race felt like something from a different era. Thousands of passionate fans lined the public roads for the traditional parade drive from the circuit to Spa village - cheering, setting off flares, and calling for burnouts. “It honestly felt like the Group B days - like we were in a Quattro pushing through the crowd,” said Reece. “It was wild. That level of passion just sets the tone for the whole event.”

Qualifying featured four sessions, and with teams running either three or four drivers, strategy played a key role. Ben was first out, but rain hit just as he began his outlap. Despite the conditions, he put in a strong lap - though the wet session dragged down their average compared to the three-driver line-ups who ran only in dry conditions.

“I had a strong Q3 — we were fighting for a top-twenty overall & top 3 in class,” said Reece. “My best lap, which would’ve been good for P9 overall and P2 in class, was taken away by a red flag just before the line so I had to settle for P5. The pace was there and the car was hooked up.”

Still, the #23 ended qualifying as the fastest four-driver car — a testament to the team’s preparation and pace.

The race itself started strong, with each driver delivering clean and aggressive stints that brought the McLaren into the podium fight.

“I felt really good in our #23 McLaren — battling with cars every lap and fighting my way forward. It was the most physical stint of my life. The air ducts were blocked, and my drinks bottle was damaged, so I had no water for two hours in a 68-degree chamber, racing against the best drivers in the world, lap after lap.”

The team battled among the leaders, trading podium positions and settling into a fast, consistent rhythm.

But the night proved less forgiving. An unforeseen throttle issue which led to a turbo failure in hour 14, forcing the team to retire.

“It’s a hard one to swallow,” Reece said. “Everything was working the car, the team, the pace. We were right in the fight. But that’s endurance racing. Sometimes it just doesn’t fall your way.”

Despite the early end, the memories, pace, and fan energy made it a weekend to remember - and the team now refocuses with confidence heading into the next round, knowing they have all the ingredients to fight at the front.