CER Spa

[henk4]

This was the view I had this morning standing on top of the Raidillon...over 50 car waiting to be let loose on the daunting track for the first free practice run. (No prizes for those who can identify all of them)
Full report to follow after the weekend. Rain is expected for Saturday.

[zac510]

That's quite a big grid!

[henk4]

Rain stayed out, and it was a very exciting race.

[Peter Mallett]

Impressive indeed. Looks like they assembled from the "shopping mall" paddock. Also why aren't they using the F1 start line?

Look forward to the report Henk.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Impressive indeed. Looks like they assembled from the "shopping mall" paddock. Also why aren't they using the F1 start line?

Look forward to the report Henk.

They used the pit area outside the track (indeed the "mall" area, near the parking lot). They were brought on the track before the first free practice in this way, and had to wait before eau rouge until the track was cleared after the previous session had ended (Radical Cup or something).
The actual (rolling) start of the race was done before the F1 pitboxes.
Here are some random teasers, sent from a hotel room is rural Wallonia....and barely processed.

[henk4]

Here's our report
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...slideshow.html

which does not include a shot of each of the 53 entrants, but I'll put up a few more later today. If there are any specific requests....

[henk4]

Here is some more stuff, the traditional turbo flames, a Lola painted as a circus act, a BMW M1 neatly avoided by Marc Devis in his Lola, a superbly oversteering 911, and oil burning 240Z, and the red version of the European University BBLM, (the blue one participated on and off during the past two years)
The race was red flagged when Claude Nahum spun his GT40 at Blanchimont, which made one of the doors disengage from the car. The car ended in the middle of the track, without having touched anything. This actually happened in the dying moments of the race, when race leader Jean Marc Luco was already on his last couple of 100 metres. He had just seen his main competitor Jacques Nicolet in the gorgeous DFV powered March 74S come to a stop just after Jacques had passed him. The red flag meant that the standings after the previous lap counted, and Luco won with Nicolet second. There was more drama unfolding in the final lap, as also third placed Olivier Cazalieres in his Lola T298 had slowed down, allowing Kevin Wilkins (Lola T296) to hope for a podium. Unfortunately also here, the standings on the previous lap meant that Cazalieres did make it to the podium.
The ride of Wilkins was remarkable, having taken over from Mark Catlow in fifth place, he did drop back another spot but then started a strong come back. He actually surprised Quiniou's Lola T280, who thought he was home on 4th place, but the sudden appearence of the splendid blue and yellow Lola in his rear mirrors caused him to overhit the brakes and he left the track for a short time, allowing Kevin to go past.
The race had started off with a demonstration of the speed of the Ferrari 712 of Paul Knapfield, which could be used to the full on this fast track. He ran away after the start, even letting the 936 of Luco behind (one never knows how much additional boost the turbo Porsche has in reserve though), and finally seemed to be on a winning course. By lap three the safety car had come in and the Ferrari plugs fouled and with the safety car, also Knapfield left the track, a common fate for the monstrous Ferrari, which is immensely fast on the straights but has poor cornering qualities. Knapfield did set the fastest lap of the race.

Next race Portimao, Algarve, where we most likely will not show up, so expect our next report on the Nurburgring race in late August.

[Tim the Grey]

Lovely set of shots there. What lens were you using from Raidillon?! That's a LONG way back to those cars...

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

Lovely set of shots there. What lens were you using from Raidillon?! That's a LONG way back to those cars...

Hi Tim, thanks, my work horse lense is now the Canon 28-300 L (3.5-5.6). Quite effective along the track and very useful in the pitlane and the paddock.

[Delbert]

Pieter
Would you like a job as my PR man - thanks for the compliments but the real hero is Mike - he flew as my in car film testifiies!
Can't wait for the next one.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Delbert

Pieter
Would you like a job as my PR man - thanks for the compliments but the real hero is Mike - he flew as my in car film testifiies!
Can't wait for the next one.

I am always open to any serious offers

[boesel]

Hi,
61 photos form Spa are great gift for every fan of Classical Endurance Series
Photos here:
http://www.connectingrod.it/Historic...a/spa_eng.html

[boesel]

Many new object on Porsche 936 cockpit. I don't like so much that modify. Look lasts photos here:
http://www.connectingrod.it/Historic...a/spa_eng.html