Jefferies Replaces Besler in Toksport WRT Mercedes

Photo: Axcil Jefferies FB

Axcil Jefferies has replaced Berkay Besler in the No. 7 Toksport WRT Mecedes-AMG GT3 Evo for the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa, in a last-minute driver change.

Approved by race stewards on Saturday morning, the Zimbabwean driver will take the place of Besler, who is believed to have tested positive for COVID-19.

As qualifying had concluded, Jefferies, who holds previous Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe experience with Madpanda Motorsport, has been allowed to race on the basis of force majeure.

The car is expected to start from the rear of the 58-car field. It had initially qualified 28th overall.

Jefferies will share driving duties of the Silver class entry with Oscar Tunjo, Paul Petit and Marvin Dienst.

“Well this was definitely an 11th hour call up,” Jefferies posted on social media.

“Happy and grateful to announce I will race in the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa with my good friends Toksport WRT. Wish us luck.”

In another late change, Wolfgang Triller has replaced Adrian Henry D’Silva in the No. 61 EBM Giga Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R in the Pro-Am class.

Porsche confirmed that D’Silva tested positive for COVID-19.

“The entire team was tested negative and is also forming its own bubble for safety reasons,” a Porsche spokesperson said.

The race gets underway at 4:30 p.m. local time.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John