Two years of waiting
Two years later than planned, the tenth edition of Spa-Classic could take place in all its glory. A true feast for drivers and visitors!
The most beautiful race track in the world
Around 380 cars were present, all trying to tame what is probably the most beautiful circuit in the world. With seven kilometres in length and twenty challenging bends, it is also a special circuit. The undulation of the Ardennes hills only makes it more beautiful.
A large number of grass strips have recently been replaced by gravel strips. This would slow down the cars much more than grass in case of a skid. It certainly is beautiful but we also saw the disadvantages. Once a car hit the gravel it went over the road surface and had to be cleaned up.
Special cars
A Bentley Speed 8, an Aston Martin DBR9, a Porsche 917, an Alfa Romeo Guilia TZ2. Several Ford GT40s, a number of BMW M1s and many other special cars were on display in the various categories.
Nice build-up through the weekend
As in previous editions, free practice sessions are mainly held on Friday. On Friday and Saturday the qualifications take place. And on Saturday and Sunday the actual races. I have said it in the past. The participants are often a bit older than in the regular competition but believe me, the drive is not less.
The programme
Classic Endurance Racing 1
This series also called C.E.R.1 has participating cars from 1966 to 1974. During this period, endurance racing was one of the most important pillars in motor sports. The cars of that time still appeal to the imagination of many. Think of the Ford GT40, the Ferrari 512s, the Porsche 910s, the Thomaso Panteras. These may be the most evocative names, but don’t underestimate the numerous Lolas and Chevron cars. Step into the Chevron B19 with Martin O’Connel at the wheel and see how you conquer the pole.
Classic Endurance Racing 2
The cars are on average ten years younger than in C.E.R.1. We are talking about the mid 70s to early 80s. This period is characterised by GTs with ever increasing power. Think of the Porsche 935, the BMW M1, the Ferrari BB512 LM. But also the Lancia Beta Montecarlo and the Ford Capri Zakspeed Turbo can be found in this series.
The Greatest’s Trophy
This series contains mainly cars from the 50s and 60s. Many with an Italian touch which makes this series for me one of the nicer ones of the weekend. Several Ferrari 250 GT SWB, some Bizzarrini 5300 GT, an Osca Maserati 750 Sport, a few Ferrari 275 GTB’s, an Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ, SVZ and a Giulia TZ. I probably shouldn’t draw any conclusion that we are talking about a very expensive series here. It is also called the Gentlemen’s Race, not because they don’t race hard, but you do notice some caution.
Sixties’s Endurance
This series is dedicated to pre-63 sports and pre-66 GTs. It is the largest starting field and that is really noticeable during the start. When about 80 cars of this calibre suddenly go flat out, Francorchamps shakes! It is also the only race that lasts two full hours. Among the cars, there is a great diversity because it ranges from a Lotus XI with a small 1000cc four cylinder engine to an AC Cobra with a big 5 litre V8. Or from the elegant Jaguar E-Type to a Chevrolet Corvette C1.
Heritage Touring Cup
The Heritage Touring Cup contains the more ‘modal’ cars and runs over a period from 1966 to 1984. Since we are dealing with a time span of almost twenty years, the differences between the cars are also large. Ford is mainly present with its Escort MK1 and the Capri. At BMW, we mainly see the 2002, the 635CSI and the 3.0 CSL. Ford and BMW dominate this category, apart from a few Jaguars and Alfa Romeo. I think there should be more variation in this series. During the qualifications, a heavy rain shower passed by. We were just sitting on the new grandstand, so we could keep it dry. It provides ‘different’ images that are certainly not less spectacular.
Groep C Racing
Technically speaking, these are still very special machines. With power outputs flirting with the 700bhp mark, it will come as no surprise that things really do move forward in these races. To our great surprise, the Peugeot 905 EVO 1 Bis lasted all weekend. Usually, we have to hurry to get a picture somewhere while driving. However, it is the same Peugeot that took the first three places in the 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans. The stunning Jaguar XJR-14 won both races this weekend. Would you like to join Michiel Campagne and Allard Kalff in their Spice SE92P Chevrolet?
2.0L Cup
This series consists exclusively of Porsche 911 short-wheelbase cars from before 1966. Sometimes it can be a bit monotonous because in the end it is all the same cars. On the other hand, that makes the race more exciting because here the differences are much more made by the drivers. The duo Andrew Smith and Oliver Bryant won the race with an average speed of 132.8 km/h.
Fifties Legends
This series contains the oldest cars you will see at Spa-Classic. With cars from the 50s and early 60s, you get to see both an Aston Martin DB2 and an Austin Mini Cooper. The series is a tribute to the brand world championship that was founded in 1953 as a competition between “sports” cars and, a little later, “grand touring” cars. The race was won by a 1957 Lotus XI with Guillaume Peeters at the wheel.
Endurance Racing Ledgends
GTs and Prototypes from the 1990s to 2000s fill this series. This makes them the youngest cars participating in the Spa-Classic. Often very powerful machines, think of the Bentley Speed 8 of which an article appeared earlier. But also Dallara SP1 or the Ferrari 550 Maranello Prodrive from 2004. From Porsche, you will mainly see the 993 GT2 and the 996 GT3. The Ford GT, by the way, also remains an impressive appearance. It is with this series that we conclude the series overview.
Fringe animation
Of course, it is all about the cars and the numerous races, but also the side animation is an important part of Spa-Classic. Where during the Spa Six Hours not a single stall was to be found, the stallholders also found their way back to Francorchamps.
The VW combi with disco bar was also present as usual.
Work to be done
If you think that the drivers come to Spa-Francorchamps just to do some laps. Well then I invite you to visit the pit lane. There is a lot of activity from early to late. Cars are being prepared for the race, and if necessary they will be taken apart completely.
Tyres
A car ‘mostly’ stands on four wheels. The tyres are the only contact with the road. So in racing, special requirements are made of them.
In vintage racing, we mostly see the Avon brand. But also brands such as Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli are reappearing.
Schnitzer 320 Turbo
The fact that we at Wheels-and-Things have a soft spot for BMW is probably beyond dispute. So when a Schnitzer BMW 320 Turbo came into our view, we went to take a look. Joris immediately told us that he had seen it before but that he had not seen it for a long time.
There was some doubt whether it was the original or a ‘remake’. Erik Qvick soon came to clarify matters. Erik has a company called ‘Qvick Motors’ and they have set up a plan to rebuild the Schnitzer 320 Turbo of which they have the original a few times.
The series will be very limited and do not count on a bargain. It is also normal that it carries a hefty price tag. Especially when you know that the car is built entirely by hand. In fact, a whole number of components have been specially re-produced for it.
Enough material for a separate article, Joris thought. So you can certainly expect that from us.
If you want to see and feel the sensation that this machine can give, then get in and tour the most beautiful race track in the world with our GoPro.
Brands clubs
Every year we see many brand clubs signing up. They range from the Daimler SP250 owners club to the TVR club. Porsche, BMW or Triumph, you name it and they are there. They are also often ideal opportunities to bring a number of like-minded people together and have a chat about their favourite vehicle.
Just do a tour at Francorchamps with your own car
That Peter Car is not a newcomer can be seen from the many initiatives taken towards the visitors. Apart from the fact that there is always an excellent atmosphere in and around the paddock, the organisation looks beyond that.
Tell me, if you own a classic car and you are on the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. What would most visitors want? Right, get behind the wheel yourself and conquer the Raidillon. At Peter auto, they make it possible to do some circuit driving without a licence. We often see these scenes where a whole bunch of cars behind a pace car calmly complete laps. But it was not like that during the Spa-Classic, no we saw many drivers really give their all. There were already quite a lot of participants but this way it will be really crowded next year I think.
A new grandstand with a magnificent view
For the first time we could admire the completely new grandstand at the Raidillon. Apart from the fact that it is really big and seats a lot of people, it must be said that the view is phenomenal. Even for photography, this place is very suitable. There is nothing in the way and you are almost on top of the action.
Report & photos: Patrick Verheeken
