Spa Classic 22nd - 25th May 2015

[gary396]

Finally had time to sort out most of the photos so I'll try and post a few batches here and there if of interest. This first batch is from the 'Trofeo Nastro Rosso' qualifying session on the Friday at the Bruxelles corner before they dropped down the hill towards Double Gauche.

[gary396]

First photo also from Trofeo Nastro qualifying, the remaining five from their first race on the Sunday (photographed at Double Gauche).

Won by car 55 the blue Ferrari 275 (but by car 8 the Ferrari 250 based on performance index I believe). I think 19 cars started so they got fairly strung out over 45 minutes with not much close racing from where I was but entertaining on that corner nonetheless.

[gary396]

One batch from the second U2TC race which was held in the gathering gloom and mist at night. Only 11 starters I think so it did get very processional in the main although there were a couple of close battles at various points especially for the lead. As with their first race earlier in the day it was won by Richard Shaw & Jackie Oliver in a BMW 1800 TiSA.

Apologies for the soft, grainy effect!

[gary396]

A few from the final race on the Saturday night - the Heritage Touring Cup as mentioned by Peter Mallett in his earlier posts.

This was their second race of the day and for me one of the highlights of the weekend given the hour / atmosphere. So I mainly watched and just took a few grainy / dark images as you can see. Didn't want to use a flash as they must be maddening for the drivers although the only media photog I saw in the area (I was just after La Source behind fencing) was going mad with his flash. Funny how many of the 'professionals' seemed to disappear when it got dark . So again, apologies for the quality - haven't had time to properly tidy them up.

37 starters I think, won by a Ford Capri (3) driven by Chris Ward & Andrew Smith. And a second in Class for Peter of course.

After that it was back to the hotel for a shower and bed - long day, lots of walking around the circuit, knackered but well worth it!

[gary396]

The first race on Sunday morning was the Classic Endurance Racing (CER 2) race with 36 starters so a decent grid. Good race won by the Lola / BMW of Patrice Lafargue. The first one is the opening lap down to Raidillon, the rest are on the approach down to Double Gauche.

[gary396]

Same race at Double Gauche:

[Peter Mallett]

Thanks Gary fwiw the track looked like that from inside the car!

[gary396]

Later on Sunday was the second Classic Endurance Race (this time CER 1 cars) with a sizeable grid of 42 cars. The top few places were dominated by Lolas, the winner being Toni Seiler in a Lola T70 MkIII.

With that size of grid it saw some decent action and again I managed a few shots from the Double Gauche corner - tended to spend a fair bit of time there as it was relatively easy to get back and forwards to the paddock.

[gary396]

The last race that I watched was the Group C with a starting grid of just 13 so it soon got a bit strung out. Having said that they are still quite spectacular heading down the hill and sweeping around Double Gauche. The overall winner was Bob Berridge in his Nissan RC93 (car 27), with a class win for Steve Tandy & Mike Simpson in car 5 the Spice.

The first couple of shots are from their formation lap, then another head-on shot from lap 1, the rest being side-on as the rounded they corner.

[gary396]

Last batch from me and finishing off the Group C race. Note - the Jaguar XJR14 didn't get to start.

That's all folks! Roll-on the Spa Six-Hours

[Mike Bell]

Well done Gary, and thanks. You've surpassed yourself!

CER does attract some fabulous cars, even though some of the more precious or expensive to run Le Mans stuff is missing. Sadly I've never seen the Howmet turbine car which made the odd appearance a year or two back.