Spa Classic 2009

[JJDraper]

The ?Grumpy Old Men? on tour started well. With six of us, two to a car in two classics (I count the TVR as a classic) and a modern, we all reached Dover without incident, apart from Bob in the Elan S4. He discovered that the Fuel gauge was faulty and ran out of petrol. To add insult to injury, his trip counter proved unreliable ? sometimes working sometimes stopping for a few miles, before restarting.

The wheeze was that the TVR and Elan crew had paid a small premium for priority loading and First Class lounge. The dismay in the faces of the Modern crew when we were called onto the ferry first was evident and well worth the extra few quid. At Dunkerque, we were guided off the ferry first, even before the lorries and straight out into the sunshine. It was very hot and despite the dire weather warnings, glorious sunshine (and stayed that way until the journey home on Monday). We immediately set off in convoy, minus the Modern, for the trip to Spa (about 220 miles). As this was the S4?s first trip out since Bob bought it a couple of months ago, we took it gently ? pootling along at between 65 & 75mph. At this speed the TVR was clocking around 2000rpm, but the petrol monster soon started knocking on the walls of his tank to be fed (TVR joke ? the baffles in the tank get loose and when the petrol level gets low, they start clonking).

Big shock was the price of fuel in Belgium.. much higher than the UK. At about 60 miles and after the fuel stop, the modern had caught us up and flashed past in diesel powered, air con comfort. By the time we got to the Brussels ring road, Friday rush hour was in full swing and both cars started to feel the heat. Bob?s S4 started to overheat in the continuous stop start traffic, and the TVR made alarming ?blow off? sounds as its cooling system vented. The only consolation was that the modern?s Sat Nav had taken it through the centre of Brussels. Fortunately this hellish torture came to an end with both cars still running, and we picked up pace for the long haul down to Liege and on to Spa.

After another 50 miles, the Modern had caught us up and went past with a cheery wave. Looking at the maps is was clear that the shorter route was through the centre of Liege rather than the long motorway loop over the top. As our pace was slower than the Modern, motorways speeds are less important for journey times, so we went for this option. A great run through the twisting tunnels right through the centre of the town, with no hold ups and great views. Our sneaky plan to arrive first failed at the last hurdle as the spectacular back route met ?route barr?? signs everywhere, when we where only 5 miles or so from the Hotel. By the time we had doubled back to find the (long) ?deviation?, the modern had arrived and was wondering where we were (5 consecutive ?W? words).

The accommodation was at a small B&B Hotel - L?Etape Fagnarde - with an attached Gite, which we had booked. For around 450Euros for the weekend (three nights), it worked out reasonably cheap for six and had superb bathrooms, together with a well appointed kitchen living room etc. Even a spot for the BBQ - http://www.spa-info.be/etapefagnarde/ for more info. Nice family run establishment. Spa itself is pleasant in a continental way, but the Michelin Guide recommended restaurant was indifferent and expensive? A walk through the town revealed far cheaper and more interesting places, but we hadn?t had time for this beforehand.

Nothing prepares you for the Spa Francorchamp Circuit. TV coverage of races there suggest that it is quite flat, well maybe a few lumps here and there, but reality is quite different. You need mountain climbing boots! There is a stunning walk round the circuit, but you need the boots and a rucksack filled with vittals for the trek. The walk was worthwhile and some excellent viewing points for the action, usually marked by a precarious cairn of stones so you can peer over the top of the fences, or holes cut in the wire for cameras.

The event must be one of the cheapest events in Europe for spectators. 4 Euros per car for parking, for the whole weekend. That was it. No hyper entry fee, no glossy holo ticket or wristband. The whole event had an air of being purely for competitors, with spectators more of an inconvenience. There wasn?t even a programme, which was the only irritating thing (apart from the horseflies in the woods) of the event. There was plenty of Lotus action, but apart from the classes for each race, we had no idea of who was racing, so forgive the lack of info on my photos. Perhaps if you recognise yourself or a colleague, please fill in the details. Racing was full on, with many cars sporting tyre marks and other nibbles on their flanks. The American V8s made an awesome sound reverberating around the surrounding hills, along with other cars whose exhaust notes set your teeth on edge.. There was an epic battle between a Lotus and a Porsche on Saturday, but because of the lack of programme I have no idea who they were? The paddock was totally open, with freedom to wander around the garages and pit lane ? very entertaining to watch the mechanics working against the deadline of the next race.

The sound of the British National Anthem was rather monotonous and seemed to be constantly echoing around the circuit, so UK racers must have had a good weekend. Precious few UK spectators...

The most spectacular event wasn?t even car related and we only discovered it after wondering what the serious chainsaw noises were all about ? mini bike racing. There is a mini, banked circuit in the trees and this was being used by full sized adult bike racers on the most ridiculous racing machines I have ever seen. They must have been doing 80mph down the straight, and doing the full monty racing lines round the bends ? OMG! These guys are seriously disturbed.

We left feeling slightly disappointed that the event hasn?t been touched by the hand of commercialism yet.. Even the food and drink was reasonably priced and of good quality (although I am still not sure what a Woopy snack is) ? what is the world coming to? Seriously though, a programme would have made a huge improvement to our appreciation of the event. Even an on-line version if you really don?t want to make any money Mr Promoter?

The surrounding roads were also a delight for a spot of revealing lack of talent.. This is where the Modern (Jag XF S)came into its own, with its diesel V6, traction aids and trained driver. Left the TVR and Elan for dead. I guess the fear of crashing your Pride and Joy overcomes the urge to go that little bit faster. Modern was a company car and could be replaced with a phonecall?. Mind you the Elan was glued to the TVR in the twisty bits, but left behind on the straights.

The journey home was punctuated with a few cloudbursts which left us a little damp, but generally an uneventful run. Then back home for the boring run round the M25 and M1.. Both Lotus and TVR were disappointingly reliable. There?s always plenty more events this summer!

Jeremy

[Vanden Perre]

Hello Jeremy,

DId you have to pay for the car park? When I arrived with my S3, I was told because I had a "classic" I could enter the paddock and did not have to pay!! But don't believe it is usual in Spa, I had never parked my car in the paddock before!
I agree with you for what you mention about the program. Even on the friday the website had no entrant lists. But I found the classification of the practice sessions on http://www.ris-timing.be. They are specialized in timing and time several meeting in Spa and in France.

Is the red DHC S4 pictured yours?

Olivier.

[JJDraper]

Sadly not mine... Bob's new toy - downsizing from his monster Porsche! He says the sensation of speed is far more rewarding in the S4..

Unfortunately my command of French is probably not good enough to understand being told to go into the paddock!

My +2 is still awaiting completion. Looking good so far...

Jeremy