Spa 6 Hour Race

simon drabble · 8 May 2006, 07:15 (Ref:1603049)

Starting the annual thread a little early as I have just read the regs for the race - no Sports Racers allowed this year but teh Germans with their yoki's will be...... also fuel not included in the entry this year - that will hurt you Louise!!!!
We are thinking about entering the Lotus Cortina instead of the Merlyn but struggle to understand the rationale behind banning the Sports Racers and allowing the maniacs with the German hotrods (who it should be remembered caused one of the worst accidents of the race during the safety car period!). Clearly I am talking my book but would be interested to hear what others think

zefarelly · 8 May 2006, 07:23 (Ref:1603055)

I'm not sure I'm qualified to comment on the sports racers, aside the fact that some of them aren't pre 96 let alone 66 ! is it because many of them never competed in period in long races ?

The German cars seem to be prepared 'differently' and in a way that isn't in keeping with the rest of the field ??? and certainly the tyres are a big issue/talking point.

Does the race struggle to fill the grid without the German contingent ? from what I'd seen in the past I'd say no

simon drabble · 8 May 2006, 07:32 (Ref:1603059)

I think that the organisers have gone for the easy option - the Germans will take 30 cars but I am certain that the FIA cars would easily take that slack up. re the Sports Racers - the moody one from 2 years ago was made to run as an invitation class last year. Sports Racers most definately did endurance in period - remember Clark's dominance at the Nordschlieffe in a 23b led to the French banning it from Le Mans because they wanted a French car to win that class......

zefarelly · 8 May 2006, 08:06 (Ref:1603086)

the French do that all the time at LeMans !

seems odd to ban the sports racers then, maybe they're doing it under pressure from the Germans ? so it'll effectively turn into an enduro saloon car race, then withing 5 years it'll be THunder saloons and somewhere to take you Janglia, Skoda DFV, Chevy-beetle etc !!!

Eddy V · 8 May 2006, 08:48 (Ref:1603113)

As I have a customer who races as well in those German Idi... (sorry) Historics, I'll ask if he knows more about the fact Spa does not allow sportscars. It almost sounds like they are behind it.

simon drabble · 8 May 2006, 08:48 (Ref:1603115)

the German cars are already there - the Yank tank last year was as trick as you like - it put in a sub 3 minute lap which is ridiculous! It could at best be descirbed as a silouette!

simon drabble · 8 May 2006, 09:05 (Ref:1603126)

sadly there was only 3 sports racers and 30 germans so I guess they were always going to win.... might look for another long distance race at Spa instead - anyone know what VdeV are like?

LAK · 8 May 2006, 10:19 (Ref:1603192)

Wow - sorry to hear the sports car news Simon. That screws up your plans a bit. i must admit that although the sports racers are a little tricky to see from our high up Falcon, I would much rather race with them than the German lot on their modern tyres. We have entered and been accepted and are really looking forward to it. Um, I just need to save up for the fuel now...

Marcus Mussa · 8 May 2006, 10:50 (Ref:1603214)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon drabble

sadly there was only 3 sports racers and 30 germans so I guess they were always going to win.... might look for another long distance race at Spa instead - anyone know what VdeV are like?

VdeV are very good and professional. The organiser (Eric VdV) has been racing in historics for years. Give them a try definitely. Our FJ Lurani race at Spa is now in July (15/16) alongside TGP, Orwell, Group C, Grand Turismo Masters and Sport Racing Masters (I am not quite sure what the latter two series are, but might suit you).

All the best
Marcus

Peter Horsman · 8 May 2006, 17:09 (Ref:1603519)

GT Masters and Sports Masters are the old Gentleman Driver series now under Masters' umbrella. They (we) are at Spa 16/16 July and at the 6 hour meeting.

simon drabble · 10 May 2006, 06:52 (Ref:1604811)

judging by the FHR website and Redwater's avoidance of the question I think we can assume that altho everyone in the 6 Hour will be on Dunlop and Avons (if wet) the FHR cars (which will be on the same grid as last year) will be free to run on yoki's so my only advice is insure your car if entering as they caused a fair amount of damage last year (most notably crashing into a TVR when everyone was under a service car). It is very sad that the organizers feel it neccessary to include these lunatics and more to the point a shame they wont actually admit they are going to run (clearly knowing what the other drivers and subsequent editorial comment in all the british car mags think about their driving standards!) - you have to go to the FHR website for confirmation!! Rant over!

esper · 10 May 2006, 08:27 (Ref:1604868)

There is nothing on the FHR website about Spa . There is no problem if the FHR racers come and race on Avons Dunlops I presume
If read the regs of redwater, correct me if i am wrong, dunlops Avons only.
If this is correct we put our Grantura on the list!!!!!

simon drabble · 10 May 2006, 16:30 (Ref:1605210)

Having just had a long chat with Vincent at Redwater I am pleased to report he said that if FHR run they will have to run with Dunlop M (Avons if wet) so on that basis we are entering the Lotus Cortina!

one-two · 10 May 2006, 16:51 (Ref:1605235)

Aren't Dunlops and Avons eligible whatever the weather? The regs don't mention rain as far as I can see?

simon drabble · 11 May 2006, 07:13 (Ref:1605669)

you might be right although my understanding was it had to be declared wet - I think the general view is that Avons wouldnt last 6 hours in the dry!

esper · 11 May 2006, 07:25 (Ref:1605676)

Which depends on the car and which Avons you use! there are I think 2 types and one will last on a Cortina I think . (for instance it ode on an MGB but not on a Healey)

Simon Adams · 2 Jun 2006, 08:20 (Ref:1625215)

The last two Spa 6 hour races have seen the Germans take big grid slots. This is a purely commercial decision taken by Alain de Faille. In addition, last year saw a number of traditional front runner pull out of the race at the last minute. In fact, a number had booked ferries with us then cancelled. The reason, they had been promised all would run on Dunlops and then with one week to go, found out that the Germans were on Yoki tyres. So despite all the promises, none were, in the end honoured. I was always led to believe that this was an FIA sanctioned event but when one looks at the entry list, and then sees what happens on the track, especially last year, one begins to wonder.

At the end of the day, this race is a commercial exercise and it appears that filling the grid is the most important thing. It becomes a vicious circle though - keep bringing in the German type group and you'll have less and less "proper" cars coming.

As an add on Simon, take a look at my Snetterton thread - you might be interested.

esper · 2 Jun 2006, 10:49 (Ref:1625332)

Last year the six hours was not far away from having "fatal casualties" I think the organisers are perfectly aware of that. I will inscript on the regs such as they are now, If they change it one week before I will pull out, simple is that!

simon drabble · 11 May 2006, 07:32 (Ref:1605682)

that is interesting and you reckon that the Avons are ok to use even in the dry? I thought it had to be declared a wet race first
so why doesnt everyone use Avons as they give more grip dont they?

esper · 11 May 2006, 07:54 (Ref:1605700)

we did and others did use those in long distance races, wet or not. I have a Healey where the difference between Avons and Dunlops in the dry don't do a lot. maybe its between my ears and because of being used to. The TVR loves Avons thats for sure.

Slippy Diff · 27 Jun 2006, 00:05 (Ref:1642193)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

I have a Healey where the difference between Avons and Dunlops in the dry don't do a lot.

Hey Esper, slightly off topic I know, but what Healey are you running? Have you run it for a while? In a previous life I was quite handy in a 3000.

esper · 27 Jun 2006, 07:38 (Ref:1642305)

Well I have a 3000 but we are not on a friendly base these weeks (the Healey and me) It "dropped a rod" 4 weeks ago. Allthough to top american spec road cracktested etc on a steel crank. We are concentrating on the TVR Grantura now. Anyway Healeys are difficult in the six hours after E types they are a big chance of not finishing . But both are beautifull cars to own and a challenge to drive .
These days if its not light or has a Ford or Chevy V8 in it , its not an obvious choice for the six hours.

Esper

LAK · 27 Jun 2006, 07:50 (Ref:1642314)

Hi Esper. What Grantura do you run? I am assuming it is a Mark III 1800cc. I'm interested as we are thinking of selling our Ford Falcon (entered for the 6 hours) at some point and are thinking of a replacement car to do these types of events. We fear that our Griffith will not be up to the task of 6 hours bearing in mind it shakes itself loose after an hour!

Interested in your thoughts re the reliability of the Grantura and also how competitive they are. Thanks.

Slippy Diff · 27 Jun 2006, 21:09 (Ref:1642934)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

Well I have a 3000

Model, colour, history....? I may know you

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

Anyway Healeys are difficult in the six hours

Naah, it's just that the rules in historic racing are constantly being changed (read, bent) to accommodate the 'clique' racers. The Six Hours used to be a great race that the budget racer could do quite well in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

I have a Healey where the difference between Avons and Dunlops in the dry don't do a lot. maybe its between my ears and because of being used to.

Dunlops or Avons, hmmm? In the dry, in a ten lap race, there's not a lot of difference although I found that it also depended on the circuit. At Thruxton for example the Dunlop was superior to the Avon in my experience. In a long distance race there was no contest; Dunlops filled with Nitrogen were excellent. On the Nordschleife I could maybe manage three laps in the dry before the Avons were down to the canvas.

I firmly believe that historic cars should run period tyres, simple. If you want to run modern tyres, run a modern car. Yokohamas on a pre 65 ?? Come on.....

Slippy Diff · 28 Jun 2006, 03:29 (Ref:1643106)

Quote:

Originally Posted by esper

Well I have a 3000

Esper, recognise anyone in this pic?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nurburgring 24 Hour Race	The Fat Clerk	Marshals Forum	10	11 Mar 2006 20:04
Bathurst 24 hour Race	Alan Jones	Australasian Touring Cars.	25	29 Aug 2001 08:25
Anyone ever done a 24 hour race?	Fiorentina 1	Racers Forum	2	23 Nov 2000 11:20