mario laguna
After the long winter break, the Belgian circuit of Spa-Francorchamps regains its cruising speed with Classic Spa, one of the classic events that is gaining momentum on the international calendar.
Held on May 16, 17 and 18, 2014, Spa Classic reaches its fourth edition which allows us to qualify it as young. However, the organizer Peter Auto thus takes positions in Belgium after his experiences confirmed in France with Le Mans Classic and the Tour Auto Optic 2000.
Without reaching the importance of Le Mans Classic, Spa Classic finds inspiration in its French namesake and, for now, we could say that Peter Auto is staging a mini-Le Mans at Francorchamps that tries to complete the same categories and with the same race duration formulas. Spa Classic also includes evening sessions on Friday and Saturday, ending at midnight. The purpose of Peter Auto would be to turn the clock two full times to recreate the classic atmosphere of the 24 hours of Francorchamps.
1- Typical view of Francorchamps, in the background the old control tower and to the right l'Eau Rouge
2- Ferrari 365 GTB / 4 Daytona by Amaury Latham, chassis 13715
Notable races
The organizer calculated between ten and fifteen thousand spectators who went to the circuit during the weekend, declaring themselves satisfied with the result although they still do not have the influx of other events in the specialty.
The attractive program was well-nourished with activities, with races contested in 9 categories. It would be tedious to detail them all and we will therefore make a selection in which we will highlight those of greatest interest to attendees and readers:
CLASSIC ENDURANCE RACING
1- Prototypes from 1966 to 1974, with 47 registered, including Peter Vogële (Porsche 908), Claude Nahum (Ford GT40), Tim Summers (Ferrari Daytona) and a good number of Lolas T70, Chevron, De Tomaso, Porsches 911RSR and Corvettes.
2- Prototypes from 1975 to 1979, with 40 registered. Among them Nicolas D'Ieteren (Porsche 935 K3), Carlos Monteverde (Lola T292), Yves Scemama (Sauber C5) and other Porsche 935, BMW M1 Procar, Osella PA and Cheetah G601.
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1- Nicolas D'Ieteren's Porsche 935 had some engine failures
2- HD video thanks to HistoricRacingHD
He won the Patrice Lafargue race with Lola T298 from 1979. The Lolas are confirmed as particularly fast and reliable cars both in speed and endurance tests. In addition, they are more affordable than cars in the same category from other manufacturers such as Ferrari or Porsche, a circumstance that makes them more usable, more frequently and with fewer repairs.
For his part, Nicolas D'Ieteren, who being Belgian is very much followed by the local fans, complained of a malfunctioning engine, which did not release enough power to face the leading cars.
GROUP C
Class where the most powerful and fastest cars of the weekend are active, with regular practitioners such as Shaun Lynn (Sauber Mercedes C11), Christophe D'Ansembourg (Porsche 962), Katsu Kubota and Joaquín Folch (Nissan R90), Frank Lyons (Gebhardt C91) ) and Richard Eyre (Jaguar XJR16), among others.
The victory was awarded to the team formed by Gareth Evans and Bob Berridge with the 11 Mercedes C1989, against whom Katsu Kubota and Joaquin Folch resigned themselves to yielding more than a minute and a half on the finish line with the 1990 Nissan. Average speed of the winners was 187,7 km / h, while that of the second classified was 180,0 km / h.
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1- Porsche 962 from 1988, from Austrian Peter Harburg
2- Maximilian Werner gave us a ride in his Mazda 767B (HD)
RESISTANCE YEARS '60
Category in which GT and Sport class vehicles with manufacturing date before 1963 are allowed. Probably the most popular starting grid in Francorchamps, with 64 participants including Spanish veterans Luis Delso and Carlos de Miguel with Jaguar E.
Out of a total of 54 participants and 46 qualifiers, Delso and de Miguel finished in 37th position. David Hart and Hans Hugenholtz won the race in a 1963 Shelby Cobra.
NASTRO ROSSO TROPHY AND FORMULA 2
In the Nastro Rosso class there were no less than 6 Ferrari 275 GTB members, not surprising that one of those cars, driven by Vincent Gaye, won the race. As a comparison with Group C cars, the highest average in this category was 143,7 km / h.
There were also fast Formula 2 races.
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1- With the amount of replicas that circulate, it is difficult to say when a Jaguar D is original or not
2- HD video of the Nastro Rosso Trophy thanks to Steering wheel79
The hourly averages in this edition have been particularly high, having been favored by the excellent weather conditions throughout the weekend, with sun, blue sky, excellent visibility and a completely dry track, without doubts or setbacks in the choice of tires and suspension settings.
In the opinion of some fans, historic vehicle racing is simple rides for millionaires of a certain age who have the time and wherewithal to finance increasingly complex and expensive equipment. However, if we compare the times reflected by the chronometers with the results achieved in their time by the same cars and with professional drivers, we will see that the distances are appreciable but not disproportionate. Which shows that in the classical disciplines you move quickly.
It is also true that, in many cases, cars have been modified and now have more power than when they were manufactured, without counting the improvements in materials, accessories and essential components such as tires.
1- Appearance of one of Bonhams classic car tents before the auction
2- Cars that previously did not want even scrap dealers are now sold for 13.000,00 euros
Up for auction
Encouraged by the success of 2013 and the upward trend of the market, those in charge of the house Bonhams they returned to Francorchamps with an excellent catalog of cars on sale. Present were James Knight, director of the house in London, hammer in hand, and Philip Kantor, director in Brussels.
Among the lots offered the following stood out:
→ Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet from 1990, chassis no. WPOZZZ96ZLS421169, whose estimate was 35-40.000,00 euros. The car did not reach its minimum estimate and was awarded for 22.500,00 euros.
→ Mercedes-Benz 220SEb Cabriolet from 1963, chassis no. 11102310043535, with an estimate of 50-60.000,00 euros.
→ Jaguar XK120 Roadster from 1951, chassis no. 671452, with an estimate of 85-115.000,00 euros. It was awarded for 85.000,00 euros, just in its minimum estimate.
For the same amount a nice Lancia Flaminia Cabriolet was awarded, chassis no. 824142239 with Touring body.
However, the most spectacular lot It included a special request that Mansour Ojjeh, skipper of the TAG team, made to Porsche in 1983 to manufacture a 911 type 930/935 Turbo Coupé, chassis no. WPOZZZ93ZDS000817, with special modifications, including flat front wings and a widened rear end topped by an eye-catching spoiler.
The estimate of the car was between 300 and 400.000,00 euros. The maximum bid was only 260.000,00 euros.
At the same level of estimation a 365 Ferrari 4GTB / 1973 Daytona was offered, chassis no. 17607, which was awarded for 410.000,00 euros to which had to be added the 15% commission and 21% VAT on the commission. The car was the subject of some comments about details regarding its originality.
FERRARI 308GTB EX-ZANINI
But the most interesting machine for the Spanish fans was undoubtedly the 308 Ferrari 1976GTB Group B, chassis no. 18869, modified in 1983 by Michelotto, with fiberglass bodywork and with which Antonio Zanini participated and won several rallies such as those mentioned in the auction catalog: Sierra Morena, Luis de Baviera and Vasco Navarro. Consequently, his estimate was between 550 and 750.000,00 euros, figures that could be considered astronomical for a relatively modest model.
The maximum bid for the car was 530.000,00 euros and the award price 609.500,00 euros (plus VAT on the 79.500,00 euros commission).
The buyer must have appreciated the importance of the history of the car very well to pay for it more than one hundred million old pesetas, a figure that seems beyond reasonable for a Ferrari of those considered "small" with an engine of "only »8 cylinders. Precisely at this time the production of Ferrari cars has exceeded the number 200.000; With two hundred thousand potential copies on the market, Ferrari is ceasing to be as exclusive a product as it used to be, with a certain irony.
In the paddock with Paul Frère
Walking through the paddock is sometimes more rewarding than being next to the track to follow the incidents of the races. The clubs of different brands meet in the paddock and it is possible to exchange opinions on the use and entertainment of cars.
1- In the paddock you can buy a little of everything, as long as it is related to the car
2- An exhaustive biography about the Belgian pilot and journalist Paul Frère was presented
Some areas of the paddock are invaded by merchants with the most diverse merchandise and, on this occasion, it reached the booksellers a work dedicated to the great motor journalist and winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans Paul Frère. A book that exhaustively describes the biography of the Belgian pilot and journalist that also has a plaque dedicated to his memory on a hill from where you can see a general view of the circuit.
Paul Frère was not only the author of reference books, such as the ones he dedicated to the Porsche 911, his favorite car, but thanks to the fact that he wrote with the same naturalness in French, English, German and Italian, he was a columnist and contributor to various magazines all over the world. the world. As a car tester he was highly regarded and different factories developed several of his sportiest models with his collaboration. After his death, the ashes of Paul Frère were scattered by his three daughters in the middle of the circuit, on the slope that follows the curve of l'Eau Rouge, thus fulfilling his last wish.
