New record grids at Spa-Classic

New record grids at Spa-Classic

SPA-CLASSIC: RECORD BEATEN!

 
Two weeks after snow hit the Spa-Francorchamps circuit the competitors in the 9th Spa-Classic only had to cope with a few showers, just enough to add some spice to the spectacle, which didn’t really need it, with 339 cars racing – a record! The public flocked to the track in anticipation of the pleasures that awaited them as the attendance also increased with more than 20 000 spectators over the three days.

 
At first glance Spa-Classic could seem like a kind of Belgian Le Mans Classic with a plethora of races, accessible paddocks, cars on show, clubs’ parades, activities, boutiques and a large public. But it’s not exactly the case. While Le Mans Classic retraces the complete history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa-Classic celebrates the 24 Hours of Francorchamps with particular emphasis on touring cars from the 1966 to 1984 period.

 
HTC COMES OF AGE

 On this occasion two Heritage Touring Cup races were organised (compared to one only at the other meetings) including an event on Saturday evening creating a magic ambience! Indeed, the HTC was created specially for Spa-Classic in 2013 before it became a regular grid at Peter Auto meetings the following year. In five years the number of cars entered has risen from 27 to 51! And above all, the mechanical preparation has improved in leaps and bounds. Lap time have fallen by five seconds for pole position and reliability has made a big step forward with 72 % of the cars at the finish in 2019 compared to 39 % in 2014. It’s proof of the benefits of racing for historic cars! 


The diversity of machines present has also expanded with six different makes (10 models) on the track this weekend. They will be joined by a seventh in the near future with the arrival of a Jaguar XJS, an exceptional coupe powered by a big 5.3-litre V12 engine that came out of the workshops of the redoubtable Tom Walkinshaw Racing team in 1981. Newcomers Another newcomer, Endurance Racing Legends, had its first race on this circuit giving spectators the opportunity to see (again for some) three rivals of the early noughties that all won the GT category in the 24 Hours of Le Mans: the Chryster Viper GTS/R (1998-1999-2000), Ferrari 550 GTS (2003) and the Aston Martin DBR9 (2007-08). Among the new arrivals on the Peter Auto grids was the Alfa Romeo TZ2 (chassis AR10511 750019) of which only 12 were built during the 1964-65 winter.

 
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

 
In addition to the on-circuit action provided by the eight racing grids spectators could leave the trackside for a few minutes – or a few hours – to admire collector cars. Exotic vehicles like the Datsun Z, 100 of which 100 were reunited to celebrate its 50th anniversary, or more popular cars like the famous Peugeot 205 celebrating its 35th birthday. In the village spectators had their fill of excitement at the Slot Car circuit and the Rétronette dancing girls. The exhibitors (scale models, ready-to-wear, books, etc.) also delighted many visitors.

 

NEXT RENDEZVOUS

Boosted by the success of this event Patrick Peter invites everyone to come back in the spring of 2020 for the 10th running of Spa-Classic. In the meantime, the competitors in the Peter Auto grids will meet up again in three weeks at the Grand Prix de l’Age d’Or on the Dijon-Prenois circuit.

NOT TO BE MISSED

The event’s highlights can be seen on the programme hosted by Mylène Dorange aired on Tuesday evening on the Peter Auto YouTube channel.

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Image: Pierre-Yves Riom


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