Probably the craziest race of the World eX Championship to date took place at Spa-Francorchamps – not on the current Grand Prix circuit, but on the layout from 1966. A journey back in time like this is only possible in the virtual world.
The idea of travelling back in time came from Nicolas Hillebrand, a big fan of historic racetracks and racing cars. It was all the more disappointing for him not to finish on the podium in either the Sprint or the main Race after accidents.
The Sprint began with a multiple-car crash involving almost the entire field. The big beneficiary initially appeared to be Markus Martin, who was the only driver not involved in the pile-up and finished Lap 1 as a clear leader. However, a driving error on Lap 2 led to a spectacular crash.
The lead was taken by Devin Braune, who had swerved over the embankment to avoid the crash on Lap 1. He passed Thomas Voigt on Lap 2 and took a commanding victory after Markus Martin’s accident.
Nicolas Hillebrand was able to work his way up to second after the Lap 1 pile-up, but lost his chance of a podium finish due to another accident.
Second place and victory in the AM category thus went to Thomas Voigt, who managed the lead over third-placed Bodo Kräling in the final phase and brought home his best result to date on the eX ZERO with his cautious approach.
In the main Race, Devin Braune, who had qualified on pole position, Nicolas Hillebrand and Chris Overend fought a fascinating three-way battle for the lead. Due to the characteristics of the track, a tyre change was necessary for the first time in orld eX. Braune pulled away from his two pursuers after the pit stop, while Overend overtook Hillebrand following an undercut before the latter crashed in dirty air and had to retire.
Markus Martin thus inherited third place. His first podium since moving up to the PRO category consoled him for his mistake in the Sprint.
His brother Julius Martin finished fourth despite a bizarre collision with Steffen Walter in the pit lane.
Bodo Kräling secured fifth place and victory in the AM category after recovering from a spectacular spin on the first lap.
Devin Braune in the PRO category and Bodo Kräling in the AM category are the championship leaders after the first half of Season 7 of World eX.
After the trip into the past, the World eX will head to Barcelona on 6 August and thus back to the present.
2024 Spa eX Prix Results
Qualifying
1 #42 Devin BRAUNE (PRO/Rocket Simsport) 2:39.947
2 #71 Nicolas HILLEBRAND (PRO/Biela Racing Team EURONICS) 2:40.372
3 #46 Chris OVEREND (PRO/T17 E-Speed) 2:42.691
4 #17 Steffen WALTER (PRO/T17 E-Speed) 2:43.142
5 #94 Julius MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) 2:44.657
6 #3 Bodo KRÄLING (AM/bspowersports) 2:44.679
7 #43 Markus MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) 2:44.759
8 #7 Thomas VOIGT (AM/tv racing) 2:46.140
9 #4 Björn SKOTTKE (AM/bspowersports) no time
Sprint
1 #42 Devin BRAUNE (PRO/Rocket Simsport) 5 laps in 13:47.424
2 #7 Thomas VOIGT (AM/tv racing) + 27.154
3 #3 Bodo KRÄLING (AM/bspowersports) + 29.593
4 #71 Nicolas HILLEBRAND (PRO/Biela Racing Team EURONICS) + 31.883
5 #43 Markus MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) + 54.839
6 #94 Julius MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) + 1:21.904
7 #46 Chris OVEREND (PRO/T17 E-Speed) + 2:12.172
8 #4 Björn SKOTTKE (AM/bspowersports) + 2:29.345
9 #17 Steffen WALTER (PRO/T17 E-Speed) 2 laps, DNF
Fastest lap: #42 Devin BRAUNE (PRO/Rocket Simsport) 2:43.015
Race
1 #42 Devin BRAUNE (PRO/Rocket Simsport) 9 laps in 24:43.491
2 #46 Chris OVEREND (PRO/T17 E-Speed) + 15.036
3 #43 Markus MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) + 53.491
4 #94 Julius MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) + 1:01.864
5 #3 Bodo KRÄLING (AM/bspowersports) + 1:07.712
6 #17 Steffen WALTER (PRO/T17 E-Speed) + 1:34.383
7 #4 Björn SKOTTKE (AM/bspowersports) + 2:34.723
8 #71 Nicolas HILLEBRAND (PRO/Biela Racing Team EURONICS) 6 laps, DNF
9 #7 Thomas VOIGT (AM/tv racing) 6 laps, DNF
Fastest lap: #71 Nicolas HILLEBRAND (PRO/Biela Racing Team EURONICS) 2:41.678
Standings after 5 of 10 Rounds
1 #42 Devin BRAUNE (PRO/Rocket Simsport) 142
2 #94 Julius MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) 76
3 #46 Chris OVEREND (PRO/T17 E-Speed) 75
4 #3 Bodo KRÄLING (AM/bspowersports) 69
5 #17 Steffen WALTER (PRO/T17 E-Speed) 62
6 #18 Jarno WIESE (PRO/WIWI Racing Team) 52
7 #43 Markus MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) 44
8 #71 Nicolas HILLEBRAND (PRO/Biela Racing Team EURONICS) 40
9 #65 Frank ENGER (AM/bspowersports) 27
10 #4 Björn SKOTTKE (AM/bspowersports) 27
11 #96 Patrik BARBULESCU (AM/tv racing) 25
12 #88 Alessandro OTTAVIANI (PRO) 24
13 #7 Thomas VOIGT (AM/tv racing) 18
14 #23 Dominik HEUSSEN (AM/T17 E-Speed) 5
15 #21 Jurgen VAN BERGEN (PRO/Race Clutch) 4
16 #8 Johannes MEINCK (AM/Martin Racing Team) 3
17 #14 Yvonne HOUFFELAAR (AM/United Sim Team) 2
18 #85 Hamish EASENER (PRO/Hamish Easener Racing) 2
