- Australian Nissan driver completes gruelling 24 Hour sportscar race
- Simmons and team-mates cross the line 13th in class after a day of rain and drama
- AUDIO: Listen and download post-race audio from Matt Simmons https://soundcloud.com/nissan_nismo/matt-simmons-spa-24-hours
- IMAGES: http://flickr.com/NISMO_Aus
- VIDEO: Relive the 24 Hours of Spa via NISMO.tv
SPA FRANCHORCHAMPS, Belgium – 2015 Nissan PlayStation GT Academy winner Matt Simmons has achieved a major career milestone – completing the 24 Hours of Spa at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium at his first attempt.
Simmons and his co-drivers Romain Sarazin, Sean Walkinshaw and Ricardo Sanchez steered the #22 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 to 13th in the Pro-Am Class and 37th overall during the classic sportscar race, doubling as the fourth round of the Blancpain GT Endurance Cup.
Simmons' first stint in the race came at the 2 hours 30 minute mark. Despite battling with rain, safety car periods and the varying speeds of the other 63 cars on the circuit, Simmons made it through without incident or damage.
Soon after Simmons' drive, the #22 car's one and only problem developed when an electrical-based fuel pump issue cost the car just over 10 minutes during the sixth hour of the race.
This drama saw them drop down the order, but it would prove to be the only major delay for the #22 car. Simmons was able complete four full stints behind the wheel of the GT-R NISMO GT3, with all his team-mates enjoying a relative trouble-free run during the 'twice-around-the-clock' event. They crossed the line 13th in class with their heads held high.
The team's interest in the Pro-Class saw the #23 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 of Alex Buncombe, Lucas Ordonez and Mitsunori Takaboshi finish 44th after a difficult day. After running inside the top 20, a brake problem followed by a gearbox change saw them drop many positions while stationary in pit lane. They eventually finished 44th overall.
Simmons and the Nissan GT Academy Team RJN return for fifth and final round of the Blancpain GT Endurance Cup at the Nurburgring in Germany on September 17-18.
QUOTES, MATT SIMMONS – 2016 Spa 24 Hour
"It was the longest day I have ever had, but it was everything that I could have expected and more," said Matt Simmons.
"The day was full of emotion, it was draining, it was exciting and it was exhausting – not just for me but the team as well.
"Things don't always go all your way during the race, but for us to get to the finish line felt like a win. This really is a fantastic feeling.
"It was disappointing to not get the position we wanted, but the electrical issue that came into play really cost us. We were moving forward during the race, and we would have liked some championship points, however, that's motor racing. So many people come here and don't get close to finishing. We crossed the line and we couldn't be happier.
"This weekend delivered me lots of new challenges. Things like night qualifying and long stints have made me a stronger, better driver.
"During my stints, I went through a lot of changes in the weather, car balance and performance, so I had to adapt my driving. While I was out there, the way I was reacting to these changes made me notice how much I have improved.
"Moving forward, I can see how this weekend has made me the driver I want to be."
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