A few seconds. Four wheels. Three mechanics. And precision that leaves no room for error. At Spa-Francorchamps, the IDEC SPORT mechanics shone in the European Le Mans Series Pit Stop Challenge: the #18 won the final with Jaouen Fronton, Jérémy Valbon and Maxime Leclere, while the #28, with Mathias Aubry, Pierre Carpuat and Loris Terziotti, set the all-time record for the Challenge in the LMP2 category.
When the IDEC SPORT #18 and #28 LMP2 cars stop in front of their garage, another race begins.
A race lasting just a few seconds, where every movement is rehearsed, every step optimised and team coordination becomes just as important as outright speed.
At Spa-Francorchamps, this often unseen side of competition was in the spotlight this week with the European Le Mans Series Pit Stop Challenge.
And both IDEC SPORT crews delivered outstanding performances.
The #18 wins the Pit Stop Challenge, the #28 sets the all-time record
The IDEC SPORT mechanics had already set the tone in qualifying.
The #28 had posted the fastest performance, while the #18 finished third, securing both crews a place in the finals.
On Friday, they confirmed that performance.
🏆 The #18 wins the Spa-Francorchamps Pit Stop Challenge.
⚡ The #28 sets the all-time Pit Stop Challenge record: 13.620 seconds.
Two different performances, but the same demonstration of speed, precision and coordination from the IDEC SPORT mechanics.
And while the Pit Stop Challenge is decided in a matter of seconds, the result is the product of much longer preparation.
A pit stop in endurance racing: a precisely choreographed routine
Changing four wheels may look simple. At this level of competition, every detail matters.
In the ELMS Pit Stop Challenge, the mechanics must complete their intervention as quickly as possible while following a precise procedure. The stopwatch immediately punishes the slightest hesitation or approximation.
Positioning. Lifting. Wheel-nut removal. Wheel changes. Tightening. Equipment back behind the line.
It all happens in a matter of seconds.
Speed matters. But it means nothing without precision.
Because in a race, a mistake during a pit stop can cost in seconds what the car and its drivers have spent several laps building.
In one spectacular exercise, the Pit Stop Challenge captures a fundamental reality of endurance racing: performance is collective.
Behind the #18 and #28, a whole team
On track, attention naturally focuses on the drivers and the lap times.
In the garage, however, performance relies on a much broader organisation.
Mechanics, engineers, drivers and staff work together throughout a race weekend: set-up, data analysis, car preparation, strategy, tyres, driver changes and pit stops.
Every intervention contributes to the final result.
And this week at Spa, those who are usually seen less often stepped into the spotlight.
The #18’s victory and the record set by the #28 highlight the day-to-day work of the IDEC SPORT mechanics.
Hundreds of repeated movements for just a few seconds
A high-performance pit stop does not happen by chance.
Behind those few timed seconds are repetitions, automatic routines and a perfect understanding of each person’s role.
The movements must be fast, but also repeatable. Everyone must know where to stand, when to act and how to react.
Trust between the members of the crew is therefore essential.
From performance in the garage to performance on track
This success comes as IDEC SPORT has also made an excellent start to its sporting weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.
After showing encouraging pace in the collective tests, the #18 topped Free Practice 1 on Friday.
The #28, meanwhile, continues its preparation for the rest of the weekend.
After the mechanics, attention will now turn back to the drivers and IDEC SPORT’s two LMP2 cars.
But even before the start of the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the Pit Stop Challenge has already delivered one reminder: in endurance racing, nobody wins alone.
“The race is also won in the pits.”
