Jochen Mass Named Grand Marshal for Spa

A grand master of Formula One and endurance racing, Jochen Mass will be the guest of honor at this weekend’s FIA WEC 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps.

Mass, who won the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Sauber C9-Mercedes Benz with follow German Manuel Reuter and Swede Stanley Dickens, will be on the grid to provide the ceremonial start for the second round of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Born in Bavaria in September 1946, Mass began his Formula One career in 1973 after winning the European Touring Car Championship the previous season. From 1973 to 1982 he went onto win one race and secure eight further podium finishes.

While still racing in F1 Mass partnered Belgium’s favorite racing son Jacky Ickx at the 1977 24 Hours of Daytona and when the German decided to stop racing in Formula One he made a successful switch to endurance racing winning the 1985 Circuito del Mugello 1000km in a Porsche 962C and the 1987 12 Hours of Sebring alongside Bobby Rahal along with many other victories.

The 1989 win at Le Mans was the high point of his illustrious career, securing only the second win in the world’s greatest race for Mercedes Benz, the previous time being in 1952.

“It is an immense pleasure to welcome Jochen Mass as the Grand Marshal for the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Spa-Francorchamps,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“The race in Belgium is the traditional dress rehearsal for the 24 Heures du Mans, which takes place in just over six weeks’ time, and to have one of the legends of Le Mans start the race here in Spa is fantastic for everyone involved.”

Jochen Mass said: “I am honored and very happy to be the Grand Marshal at Spa and I can contribute this weekend to the benefit of the FIA WEC.

“The championship is gaining in strength with a multitude of manufacturers which is something that has been missing for a while. It will be very exciting to see Porsche, Audi and Toyota competing on the wonderful Spa circuit this weekend.”