Red Ant Racing is looking to put this year’s 992 Teams’ title beyond the reach of nearest championship rival RPM Racing before half-distance at this weekend’s Hankook 24H BARCELONA. 

The Belgium team’s #903 and #904 Porsche 992 GT3 Cups currently lie 1-2 in the 24H SERIES’ 992 Teams’ championship standings, following 1-2 finishes in-class at Spa-Francorchamps and Portimão, plus an additional win for the #903 at Mugello. 

RPM Racing, currently in the lead in the 992-AM Teams’ standings, is 3rd in the title chase. With points available both at half-distance (20 for the leader) and after the chequered flag (40 for the winner) at the Hankook 24H BARCELONA, a disastrous race for Red Ant Racing – as occurred in Misano – and a flawless run by RPM Racing could still see a shock twist in the 992 Teams’ championship fight. 

Though slight, Red Ant Racing team principal Bert Redant is still calling on his eponymous outfit to remove all doubt and put the title beyond reach by half-distance in Barcelona, thus securing the 2022 992 Teams’ ‘Europe’ champion its second title win in the 24H SERIES.

“There are quite a few possible scenarios, but if we look at it realistically it is simple: if we keep driving, we will score enough points to become champions,” Redant explains. “It would be ideal if we harvest enough points after 12 hours to knock the [RPM Racing] Porsche out of the title race, so that we are already certain of the title. Then we can finish the second half of the race with a little more peace of mind. 

“Whatever the case, we won't take too many risks. The title is the most important thing.

“The most important thing is that one of our cars takes the title. It doesn't matter which one it will be.”

Red Ant Racing has confirmed Ayrton and Yannich Redant (the 992 Drivers’ ‘Europe’ champions of 2022) will compete again with Kobe de Breucker in the #903 Porsche as the Redant brothers attempt to secure this year’s 992 Drivers’ title as well. The trio will be joined in Barcelona by compatriot Lars Zaenen, a former Belcar Endurance class champion and back for his first 24H SERIES since finished 2nd in-class at last year’s Hankook 12H SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS. 

Brent Verheyen and Peter Guelinckx will race the sister #904 again, with Gavin Pickering stepping back in for his second run with the team. As Michiel Haverans is absent this weekend, Jef Machiels, who competed with Red Ant in Dubai back in January, completes the line-up.

“Lars tested with us before the start of the season, and it was immediately clear to us that he was a fast guy with a lot of potential,” Redant continues. “Gavin has a lot of endurance experience, and already rode with us in Portimão in 2022. He wanted to repeat that again. And Jef also rode for us this year. It was almost agreed that he would also be there in Barcelona.”

Alongside its 24H SERIES commitments, Red Ant Racing is also contesting the penultimate round of this year’s Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux at the Red Bull Ring this weekend. 

Following optional CREVENTIC Track Days on the Wednesday and Thursday, official track action gets underway with Free Practice on Friday 13 September between 12.45 hrs and 14.15 hrs local time. This will be followed by two hours of qualifying later that same afternoon between 16.30 hrs and 18.30 hrs.

The 25th edition of the Hankook 24H BARCELONA gets underway at 12.00 hrs on Saturday 14 September, and is scheduled to run uninterrupted until 12.00 hrs the following day (Sunday 15 September). Following the 24-hour event, CREVENTIC will crown its new European champions with a celebratory prize-giving.

The action will be live with commentary from radiolemans.com on the official 24H SERIES YouTube channel. Regular updates will also be published on X (@24HSeries), Facebook (24H Series) and Instagram (24H Series). Further information can be found at www.24hseries.com.