It was four years ago... Former F1 driver, 24 Hours of Spa record holder and 12 Hours of Sebring winner Eric van de Poele took part in the Spa Six Hours Endurance race for the first time at the wheel of a Ford GT40, in the company of a certain Jim Farley, Ford CEO! The beginning of a beautiful story... " In fact, coming from modern competition, I was quite reluctant to drive cars from the old days," recalls Eric. Thanks to the MEC Auto team, I was able to test a GT40, and I was immediately won over! The participation with Jim went well, and we do it again every year. I'm delighted, because this Spa Six Hours meeting is a pure delight! The cars entered in all the categories are incredible, and you never tire of going round the paddock to try and see everything...".

As for his ambitions for the 2022 edition, van de Poele is keen to put things into perspective. The field is generally very strong, and this year, with almost twenty Ford GT40s at the start, it promises to be even more competitive", smiles the driver. It's no secret that the best British drivers only dream of winning the Spa Six Hours. The teams are very strong, there are a lot of people on track, and it is not easy to find the right strategy, nor to set a time to try to get pole position on Friday evening. But I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of our #98 Ford GT40. Last year we finished the race in 6th place, so I think a podium finish is possible...".

What Eric van de Poele has never lacked during his career is motivation. The proof...

📸 C. Delfosse