Shaun Balfe takes part in the 24-hour race at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium

Shaun Balfe is celebrating a fantastic finish in the world famous 24-hour race at the Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium.

The Fulbeck driver came a magnificent eighth in class and 23rd overall from 66 crews just a week after taking second place in the British GT race.

Teamed with Ben Barnicoat, Sam Neary and Ruben Del Sarte in an Optimum Motorsport McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, it was Balfe's first experience of the race and his first 24 hours event in what was the 100th anniversary of the race.

He said: "I had expectations, but it was harder than I expected.

"I did a Classic six hours there a few years ago, but only until 10pm and not through the night.

"It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again.

"I learned so much as I hadn't got a lot of experience in modern endurance and this was the biggest GT3 race in the world.

"The volume of the pro's, high profile, mixed conditions all pushed me out of my comfort zone so it was a real challenge, but it all strengthens me into a complete driver and ready for our challenge for the British GT title."

There had been various test sessions prior to official qualifying, which was completed in four stints.

Neary took the first session, with Balfe in for the second, followed by De Sarte and Barnicoat. They had qualified 32nd overall but third in the Bronze Cup Class.

Balfe added: "We qualified around the middle of the pack and it stayed dry through all four session, but Ben's final session was interrupted with a red flag.

"Qualifying had been in daylight, but we all had to do a mandatory three laps minimum night practice too.

"I went first in that session at about 10.30pm and that was my first experience with the car in the dark."

It had been scorching hot in the build up to the races for the 4.30pm start but, set in the Ardennes region, Spa is renowned for its sudden change of weather and this race was no exception.

Barnicoat started the race and did the first hour, which left them 36th overall and fifth in Class, before Balfe went out for the second and third stints.

He commented: "The stints were fairly fluid and we did have a plan which we kept to until about midnight.

"It was about 5.30pm to 6.30pm, I had pitted for fuel and tyres and rejoined, but handed over after three hours. It was so intense and I was out with the majority of pro drivers.

"It was intimidating with so much going on and the conditions were totally different to testing."

They had slipped down the order a little by this point but they were back into the class top 10 and 40th overall as midnight approached but it was soon all change again.

The safety car had taken the race into the early hours and the team opted to put Balfe back out in an unscheduled stop.

He explained: "I did my second tint at 1am and did a full hour under full course yellow or the safety car.

"We had heavy rain, a full on storm with thunder and lightning too, but I came back in just after 2am when the race went live again to hand back to Ruben."

Their progress continued and during the second half of the race were never out of the Class top 10 again.