Spa Classic weekend review

Quite possibly the best time you can have in Belgium

Speak to anyone about historic motorsport, and they’ll most likely tell you it’s fantastic. Speak to anyone about racing at Spa-Francorchamps, and they’ll probably tell you it’s fantastic as well. So guess what happens when you bring the two together…

Yep, rather predictably, sending classic racing cars around an iconic circuit makes for a compelling spectator spectacle. There’s all that’s so good about historic motorsport – thunderous GTs, powersliding touring cars and howling sportscar racers for starters – scaled up onto one of the world’s best tracks. When a Peugeot 905 sandwiched between two Jaguar XJR-9s screaming towards Bus Stop at whatever silly speed it was isn’t the best bit of the weekend, you know it’s good racing.

For PH, the weekend began with the racing on Friday. With most accommodation a short drive away – or camping spots at Eau Rouge for the committed – plus a viewing lodge on the straight out of La Source, the action was never far away. Furthermore, like Le Mans Classic, the weekend is a magnet for European classic car owners clubs – perfect for a break from the circuit action. The scale of the event meant that all were catered for: whether it was a penchant for Peugeots, a deep Datsun desire or a Ferrari fascination, there were road cars for everyone to be excited by.

The racing categories were numerous, and varied: Heritage Touring Cup, Sixties’ Endurance, a 2.0-litre 911 Cup, Endurance Racing Legends and more. The scope was so broad, from 1950 Coopers to GT2 Astons from the past decade, that the Spa Classic weekend will surely introduce viewers to new four-wheeled obsessions – as well as remind them of all that they loved already.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Spa weekend ran into dark, with a two-hour run for the Sixties’ Endurance cars from 19:35 and a 60-minute race for the classic touring cars beginning at 22:35. So that’s old Capris, Escorts and Batmobiles, in the dark, around Spa – what more do you need to know?

If there was a real surprise though it came in the accessibility – the combination of tiny crowds and a very relaxed atmosphere meaning paddocks and pit garages could be explored to your heart’s content. The small numbers also meant great spectating opportunities, too; certainly not always guaranteed at other classic events.

It would have taken a lot for the weekend to be any kind of disappointment, what with the cars, location and access. But if anything Spa Classic surpassed expectations, the diversity of machinery and quality of competition ensuring a truly memorable occasion. We’ll be back for 2020, no doubt – see you there…

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