Goodyear returns to the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this weekend for round two of the FIA World Endurance Championship season, where all 18 LMGT3 entries will take on the challenging Belgian circuit on Goodyear Racing Eagle tires.
At Spa, teams will run the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium tire, selected for its versatility and ability to perform across a wide range of conditions; important qualities at a circuit known for its unpredictability.
Spa-Francorchamps presents a very different challenge to Imola, with its high-speed layout, long straights and sweeping elevation changes placing sustained loads on the tires across the lap, particularly through the compression at Eau Rouge. This makes it one of the most aggressive tracks for tire degradation, with a more pronounced performance drop-off expected over a stint.
That characteristic is expected to shape race strategy this weekend. Differing tire strategies played a decisive role in shaping the race at Imola, but Spa is expected to reward a more direct strategy with a focus on single stints as teams are likely to prioritize extracting maximum performance from each set of tires.
“We expect to see less variation in race strategies at Spa,” said Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager. “The nature of the circuit means degradation is higher, so teams will focus on extracting maximum performance and are likely to equip new tires at each stop.
“There is no left-right bias at Spa, and the load profile doesn’t lend itself to changing only front or rear tires, so teams may still look to extend stints under safety car or full course yellow conditions, but we expect to see the baseline strategy being more consistent.”
Spa’s location in the Ardennes means conditions can be highly variable. In addition to the slick tires used in dry conditions, teams will also have access to the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tire, featuring a tread pattern designed to disperse surface water and provide grip in wet conditions.
“The Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium tire has proven it can perform at a range of tracks, support front, mid and rear-engined cars, and deliver what both professional and amateur drivers in this pro-am class want,” Bickley added. “At Imola, tire temperature management was never a concern for LMGT3 teams, even on such a demanding and unpredictable track. Should conditions turn wet at Spa, teams can rely on the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tire as a proven and effective solution.”
Goodyear Racing Eagle tires are also in action this weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Watkins Glen International, and in the British Touring Car Championship on Brands Hatch’s Indy layout.
