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Simmons primed for ‘special’ Spa race

Gamer-turned-racer Matt Simmons says he is ready to tackle the ’special’ Spa-Francorchamps circuit for this weekend’s 24-hour race, after a recent test at the Belgian circuit.

Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team

Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team

Nissan Motorsports

Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team
Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team
Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team
Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team
Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team
Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team
Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team
Matt Simmons, Nissan GT Academy Team

The Nissan GT Academy winner will line up alongside Romain Sarazin, Sean Walkinshaw, and Ricardo Sanchez in the #22 NISMO GT3 car at the Spa 24, and the Aussie reckons the team is well placed after a 90-lap test there earlier this month.

“To get a chance to feel [the circuit] and get up to speed as quickly as possible will be a massive advantage come race week,” said Simmons.

“Our test day was very productive. We did about 90 laps in total. I got 25 laps and we ticked all the objectives so I feel ready to hit the ground running at the bronze test session.”

The Spa race may well be the biggest test of Simmons’s short career, the former package delivery driver only becoming a professional racer this year after winning the GT Academy. And he says the significance of racing on one of the world’s great circuits isn’t lost on him.

“One word for this track… awesome! This track is unique, very fast and challenging,” he added.

“Spa is special, for sure. You feel it when you arrive to the circuit and see it all.

“My favourite section is easily Eau Rouge. This is as raw as it gets, feeling the force on your body at the bottom and then wanting to take off over the top – it’s an incredible feeling. It literally took my breath away the first few laps but I kept my eyes open!

“My progress as an international racing driver has been steep. Each race weekend has been full of new challenges and when we leave the track, I am more motivated than ever to work harder before the next race so I can give everything again.

“I’m really focused and I’m continuing to evolve into the best racing driver I can be.”

 

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