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Spa Classic 2013 – Race Preview

Porsche 962C
Porsche 962C

By Marcel Hundscheid

For the third consecutive year Peter Auto will host the Spa Classic at Spa-Francorchamps. The Ardennes track is one of the major appointments for both modern and classic motor racing and the event is now positioned as the classic car event in Belgium. The Spa-Francorchamps track is the place to be May 24-26, 2013.

Situated in the beautiful Ardennes region the Spa-Francorchamps track was originally designed in 1920 by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem. In those days public roads were used between the Belgian towns of Spa, Malmedy and Stavelot. Due to several fatalities it was decided that by 1978 races were held for the last time in its original form. Nowadays, one of the highlights at Spa are the FIA Formula 1 Grand Prix as well as the 1000 kms sports car race.

The 2013 Spa Classic will feature sports cars, single-seaters, GTs and touring cars filling the grids over the weekend. Besides the two Classic Endurance Racing grids, Group C Racing, Sixties’ Endurance, the Trofeo Nastro Rossa, Historic Formula 2 and the 911 Spa-Classic Jubilee, the Spa Classic hosts a brand new grid for the third edition: two touring car grids complete the Spa-Classic Endurance pole, providing a flash back to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours. Besides all the racing action over the weekend another highlight will be an auction to be run by Bonhams, to be held at the track on Saturday.

Classic Endurance Racing is one of the greatest historic racing series to be found in Europe, including both prototypes and GTs divided in two grids, CER1 (GT 1966-1974 / Prototypes 1966-1971) and CER2 (GT 1975-1979 / Prototypes 1972-1979). The Group C Racing Series recreates the great days from the Sports Car racing in the 1980’s when these cars raced in the World Sportscar Championship.

Nowadays managed by Briton Bob Berridge the spectacular series presents prototypes between 1983 and 1991. The British Historic Sports Car Club will organize the single Spa Classic single-seater grid presenting Formula 2 cars between 1967 and 1978. Gathered by Peter Auto the Sixties Endurance grid is without doubt one of the public’s favourites, featuring pre-63 sports cars and pre-66 GTs.

Brand new this year, Peter Auto presents the Spa-Classic Endurance pole, paying tribute to the legendary Spa 24 Hours. Divided into two grids pre-66 under 2-Litre touring cars (Touring 1) and pre-66 over 2-Litre touring cars (Touring 2) as well as all capabilities between 1966 and 1984. To celebrate the half century of the iconic Porsche 911 the Spa-Classic will feature a unique one-time grid presenting all competition versions of this car from 1964 to 1974. Fans of Italian sports and GTs will be treated with a unique grid of Ferraris, Bizzarrinis, Alfa Romeos and Maseratis with the Trofeo Nastro Rosso.

The 2013 Spa Classic is open to the public on 24-26 May. All tickets allow general admittance, access to the paddocks and grandstands. The weekend tickets are 3-day tickets, including Friday. (Friday tickets are available on site only). A correct dress code is required at all times inside the circuit.

For more information, visit www.spa-classic.com.

[Source: Marcel Hundscheid]