Spa Classic 2023 by Peter Auto

[Gerard C]

Ha yes, almost forgot the average time thingy… Seems DrBob had a very good start. Must be raining now.

[Gerard C]

Two SC's during the first twenty minutes of the race!

[356sc]

Safety car after safety car after safety car for the 60s “race”, and given no rain this evening there was no excuse….

[Willmaz223]

Originally Posted by 356sc

Safety car after safety car after safety car for the 60s “race”, and given no rain this evening there was no excuse….

When on earth did a C2 Corvette last or ever win a Pre 66 GT Race of any nature. Seemed to be a case of drive around and look where you came at the end.

Then whats to be expected with 70 cars of great speed differential on a challenging track in the darkness surrounded by gravel traps, its a safety car fest every year this event which is why I don't go mostly.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Willmaz223

Then whats to be expected with 70 cars of great speed differential on a challenging track in the darkness surrounded by gravel traps, its a safety car fest every year this event which is why I don't go mostly.

Always good to have an itn expert's advice.

[Gerard C]

A french bloke reports that the situation was slightly complicated when the pit window was opened under SC… I suspect a touch of confusion when some wanted to exit the closed pitlane after refueling too…

No serious criticism because I wonder how the RD can manage so many different languages: French, slang French, English, pidgeon English, Belgian French aka Wallon, Flamish, may be German and certainly Spanish!

Not forgetting that in historics the SC is faster than the race cars and the SC's driver is very skilled which is not always the case with the race drivers…

[Cliff Ryan]

Ten years ago with Mike at the first Spa Classic

[delta]

So race stated late at 20.55. Dr Bob had an Elan to play with and did great first stint . 3 rd safety car and getting near the hour so we did our pit stop .Still SC when I got on track .Bit lonely just looking in my mirrors and getting blinded by the lights of cars closing down on you .Couple of more SC incidents and then towards the end it finally happened and I get hit by Cobra car number 91. Car felt ok so just got my head down to the finish . 5 min to go and our faithful little Elite stopped just past pits with no electrics . This probably due to the damage as battery sits just next to the rear wing . As luck would have it the race got red flagged and we only lost a few places . Bit down in the dumps back at paddock only to be told we must hurry and go to podium as we are P 2 on index . So now happy days and a couple of beers with Dr Bob after . Just at the tunnel but will post pictures later . Tired but very happy ?

[356sc]

Well done both!

[gary396]

Great result, well done both!

[E.B]

Ditto the above posts. Great stuff.

[MGDavid]

Wrestling a triumph out of adversity again ! Good stuff.....
Can't see 91 on the results, maybe it was 81 or 51 or 31, all Cobras?

[Gerard C]

Dunno know the number, but it certainly was a F Cobra!

[Gerard C]

Stephens gang time, just after lunch. Take no prisoner Will!

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Stephens gang time, just after lunch. Take no prisoner Will!

15:10 local time I think. Just over an hour away.

[drbob]

Position 69 to P 54 even after delta’s DNF 5 minutes from the end.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by drbob

Position 69 to P 54 even after delta’s DNF 5 minutes from the end.

Plus 2nd overall in the Performance Index Trophy.

Unless I am mistaken the Stevens Porsche is showing in the pits. They pitted under SC with c 30 mins to go but are back in the pits now according to Live Timing, and have been for 5 minutes. Just 7 minutes to go..

[delta]

Just having a beer and looks like there has been a couple of cars disqualified . We are now P53 .

[delta]

So sorry for Bill and Will .Wonder what went wrong . Such a great family team and we are looking forward to jumping ship also and racing with them in50’s . ?

[Gerard C]

Yep, Will recorded a wonderful 3'12" and the car never left the pits after the mandatory stop. Valve train or gearbox, Will? Sorry, not classified.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

3'15" and 172 kph.

Smashed it. 3'12" and 176kph.

[Willmaz223]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Always good to have an itn expert's advice.

Must have said something you didn't know off then

[356sc]

Sadly the engine went off song just after the pit stop, so called it a day. Shame as the old girl was going well - but that is racing!

[Gerard C]

OK, its the engine, nothing really bad other than racing. May be you're paying the 9k recorded last time. When you think delta was writing your eulogy…

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by E.B

Smashed it. 3'12" and 176kph.

Everything below 3'25 with a smaill displacement engine is really fast. May be the speed trap is not well positioned to catch a record but its the same for all. I spent a good time with a bloke comparing max speed and lap time for several cars it gives a rough idea of the chassis settings.