Spa Classic

[retrognome]

Weather on Friday 24 degrees until Group C practice when even though the sun kept shining, the heavens opened. Saturday was dry but cold, Sunday was also cold (3 degrees at 08.30) and it rained first thing, and again at midday. Images copyright www.retro-speed.co.uk

[henk4]

For those who decided to go to Spa here are some familiar sights. For those who could not avoid having to go to Monaco, here is what you missed.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event...a-Classic.html

[Mike Bell]

Thanks for the pics and reports, Peter and Pieter! We were just heading for lunch when heard about the Jag's argument with a wall. Hopefully it will be repaired for Dijon, it's gorgeous....

Our weekend was not one of the most successful, a DNF in 60s Endurance spoiling the Morgan's 100% finishing record in PA races last and this season to date. At the end of qualifying the radiator was leaking from one lower corner of the core. I repaired it with araldite and all looked good for the 2hr race. After the start John got stuck behind an E Type for several laps, the car in question pouring fuel out on every corner, causing big problems for those following. Eventually he got past and started to catch the (class) leading 911 being driven by a couple of pros. (Who post race were given a 10 place future grid penalty if they were nominated as drivers again.) When John pitted to hand the car over, we noticed water running off the front valance. The radiator was now leaking from the other corner.... A failed attempt to stem the flow with metal putty and radseal led to retirement- but not until Bill had flat spotted a front tyre while braking- it was being sprayed with coolant! Removing the rad next morning showed the reason for failure- the mounting brackets were putting strain on the core, and eventually it cried enough....

Qualifying on Friday (13th!) was not good. After making sure the SLR was at the front of the queue of 70 odd to enter the circuit, an E Type went straight into the gravel on the green flag lap. This resulted in the session being stopped, and as a result the Morgan finished up near the back! Then when John wanted to enter the pit lane to swap drivers, a 911 expired in the entrance, causing it to be closed. The marshals made him enter after La Source instead, which was not much use when we were waiting in the F1 pit lane! Frustrating....

The Chevron fared better in CER1, although a 1min penalty for overtaking while under SC had to be appealed (successfully) first!

As have come to expect at PA race meetings, many fantastic cars racing. Among my favourites, the Ford F3L stands out, not only for looks and sound, but also the fact that it is driven like you would hope to see it being driven. Also great to see not one, but two GpA Mustangs out, both original Pinepac cars. In fact, every grid is a feast......

[retrognome]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Thanks for the pics and reports, Peter and Pieter! We were just heading for lunch when heard about the Jag's argument with a wall. Hopefully it will be repaired for Dijon, it's gorgeous....

Our weekend was not one of the most successful, a DNF in 60s Endurance spoiling the Morgan's 100% finishing record in PA races last and this season to date. At the end of qualifying the radiator was leaking from one lower corner of the core. I repaired it with araldite and all looked good for the 2hr race. After the start John got stuck behind an E Type for several laps, the car in question pouring fuel out on every corner, causing big problems for those following. Eventually he got past and started to catch the (class) leading 911 being driven by a couple of pros. (Who post race were given a 10 place future grid penalty if they were nominated as drivers again.) When John pitted to hand the car over, we noticed water running off the front valance. The radiator was now leaking from the other corner.... A failed attempt to stem the flow with metal putty and radseal led to retirement- but not until Bill had flat spotted a front tyre while braking- it was being sprayed with coolant! Removing the rad next morning showed the reason for failure- the mounting brackets were putting strain on the core, and eventually it cried enough....

Qualifying on Friday (13th!) was not good. After making sure the SLR was at the front of the queue of 70 odd to enter the circuit, an E Type went straight into the gravel on the green flag lap. This resulted in the session being stopped, and as a result the Morgan finished up near the back! Then when John wanted to enter the pit lane to swap drivers, a 911 expired in the entrance, causing it to be closed. The marshals made him enter after La Source instead, which was not much use when we were waiting in the F1 pit lane! Frustrating....

The Chevron fared better in CER1, although a 1min penalty for overtaking while under SC had to be appealed (successfully) first!

As have come to expect at PA race meetings, many fantastic cars racing. Among my favourites, the Ford F3L stands out, not only for looks and sound, but also the fact that it is driven like you would hope to see it being driven. Also great to see not one, but two GpA Mustangs out, both original Pinepac cars. In fact, every grid is a feast......

Alan Mann Ford F3L. I thought the ex-Elford Porsche pretty good as well.

[henk4]

Personal favourite, and that of the "jury" who awarded this car as the most interesting, is Ratazzi's 33-3, here driven by no one else than Nanni Galli

[henk4]

Just a Porsche but a rather unusual approach to la Source. She managed to miss the wall and to negotiate the corner undamaged

[356sc]

Thankfully our weekend went slightly better than Mike's!

Spa was it's normal spectacular self with the usual mix of weather sunny and warm on Friday, bitterly cold on Saturday.

As Mike has mentioned Quali on Friday was a fairly disjointed affair, with some "strange" driving moments....burying yourself in the gravel on the green flag lap to stop the session takes a special kind of skill! We managed to pedal our old girl around in 3.12 which put us 42nd on the grid (monster grid of 74 cars!) although both drivers were disappointed at having not gone quicker.

Race day was bitterly cold, more like Snetterton than Spa, much better for engines, less good for the support crews! Through our usual tortoise v hare approach we managed to finish 24th overall, beating all but 2 of the amassed 911s with a fastest time of 3.09...our best ever!

As Mike has already mentioned there was some spectacular machinery scattered around the paddock and parking areas, with the usual eclectic mix...it is only at these events that you see an F40 and an F50 flanked by a 2CV and a 2CV van!

Roll on Dijon!

[one-two]

Hi Retrognome, that's a fantastic Ford P3 picture. At which corner is it taken please? Many thanks, Robert

[henk4]

for Will

[356sc]

Originally Posted by henk4

for Will

Thanks Pieter...If I had known it was you hanging over the wall I would have come a bit closer!!!!

[zefarelly]

Track limits!

I've only done it once, but the classic is one of the best meetings. It seems to tick all the right boxes and swerve all the wrong ones. A shame its just outside most of our leagues!

[retrognome]

Originally Posted by one-two

Hi Retrognome, that's a fantastic Ford P3 picture. At which corner is it taken please? Many thanks, Robert

Outside La Source.

[356sc]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

Track limits!

We have an extendable stabiliser wheel at the rear to keep us inside the track limits....although no need to deploy it in the photo....yer honour!

You will find out at LMC that all of the quicker 356s come with one!!!!

[henk4]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

Track limits!

I've only done it once, but the classic is one of the best meetings. It seems to tick all the right boxes and swerve all the wrong ones. A shame its just outside most of our leagues!

it is a brave driver who can put all four wheel over the white line there.
Dickie Meaden came very close, but he had seen me on the wall...

[Mike Bell]

To have at least two 908s racing is fantastic, but I like the little 'flunder'!

The T33 is also a treat....

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

To have at least two 908s racing is fantastic, but I like the little 'flunder'!

The T33 is also a treat....

There was also a 910 (CER1) but very briefly on track.

[retrognome]

Originally Posted by henk4

it is a brave driver who can put all four wheel over the white line there.
Dickie Meaden came very close, but he had seen me on the wall...

Trying hard. Copyright.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by retrognome

Trying hard. Copyright.

Local knowledge...

[zefarelly]

As a 356 virgin I look forward to the briefing!

Originally Posted by 356sc

We have an extendable stabiliser wheel at the rear to keep us inside the track limits....although no need to deploy it in the photo....yer honour!

You will find out at LMC that all of the quicker 356s come with one!!!!

[henk4]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

As a 356 virgin I look forward to the briefing!

first time you doing it from behind?

[Mike Bell]

Totally unrelated to the racing, but on Friday after evening Q we were booked for supper at The Racing Hotel, which is just outside the circuit, and quickly accessible on a scooter without needing a crash hat. I had to wait to get the SLR out of parc ferme, so lept on the Zip straight after with no wallet, no crash hat, and just shorts and fleece had been wearing. Confirming at security that my pass would allow me back into the paddock later, we enjoyed a very nice team supper. However, on arriving back at the entrance later on, I was told that the tunnel was now closed till the morning and I would have to go to the Ster gate!

So there I was, roaring around the Spa area on public roads, totally disorientated, no helmet, no ID, no warm clothing........ Eventually found the Ster gate and got back to the truck at midnight. Took couple of hours for the frostbite to thaw!

[John Turner]

You know how to live, Mike!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

So there I was, roaring around the Spa area on public roads, totally disorientated, no helmet, no ID, no warm clothing........ Eventually found the Ster gate and got back to the truck at midnight. Took couple of hours for the frostbite to thaw!

Just goes to show how the other half live, us commoners have to enter and park by the Ster gate for the 6 hours. I know my place

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Just goes to show how the other half live, us commoners have to enter and park by the Ster gate for the 6 hours. I know my place

Tim, given the choice I would head via Ster to the 'Shopping Centre' paddock! Much more relaxed. It was out of bounds for our visit- maybe reserved for clubs and stuff.......