The Spa-Francorchamps circuit has vibrated all weekend to the sound of classic cars. On the track as well as outside, the 7th edition of Spa-Classic has kept its promises, to the point of beating its record of 20,000 spectators.
After a slight decline in attendance last year, Peter Auto and its partners, including EFG and Zenith and auction house Bonhams, rallied to the event to slightly exceed the record of 20,000 spectators established In 2015. However, everything had not started under the best hospices. True to its reputation, the Spa-Francorchamps bowl had a rainy reception for the competitors on Friday ... What to call the new Euro F2 Classic (which will now take place on each of the historic meetings organized on circuits by Peter Auto). Saturday and Sunday, the clouds have dissipated, leaving the spectators to take full advantage of the many attractions offered within the circuit.
FOURTEEN RACES!
The show on the track was provided by eight trays with more than 300 cars. Particularly awaited, the sedans and coupes of the Heritage Touring Cup commemorated the great hours of the 24 Hours of Spa, recalling that in a time - not so far away - the Belgian endurance race reserved exclusively for cars coming from the Large series. The drivers of the BMW 3.0 CSL, Volvo 240T and other Ford Escorts were able to compete day and night, one of the two races fighting late Saturday night ... Magical atmosphere! Endurance was also discussed with the Sixties', the Trofeo Nastro Rosso, the CER 1, the CER 2 and the Group C Racing, five plates by Peter Auto which brought together a good number of prototypes and GTs The 1,000 kilometers of Spa: Ford GT 40, Jaguar Type E, Shelby Cobra, Ferrari 250 LM, Porsche 962, etc. More modern models, like an Audi R8 of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2001 or a Maserati MC12 of the 24 Hours of Spa 2005, have animated spectacular parades. As for the cars, they made their big comeback this year thanks to the new Euro F2 Classic, which brought together 19 models that made the big hours of the European Championship between 1967 and 1978, as well as the Formula Vee guest Gathered 50 machines.
CLUBS AND ANIMATIONS
If the tests and the races have succeeded without respite, the spectators were able to leave the track in the space of a few minutes - even a few hours! - to admire the 1,400 vintage cars displayed. Sunday afternoon, this beautiful panel of the history of the automobile was joined by the 180 crews of the Youngtimers Rally who came to finish their journey by offering a parade on the toboggan of the Ardennes. In the Village, the spectators were full of emotions with the Death Wall (mechanical show) or the simulators of piloting. The other animations (Racing Bug, gallery Michel Vaillant) and the exhibitors (miniatures, ready-to-wear, books, watchmaking, etc.) have for their part filled a large public.
BONHAMS AUCTION SALE
For the fourth time in its history, the appointment of Spa-Classic was the setting for an auction orchestrated this Sunday by the house Bonhams. Philip Kantor (Managing Director of the Classic Automotive Department): "It is a privilege to organize a sale in such a place and we are delighted to have returned to Spa." Bonhams has again proved its expertise by offering a large collection of Cars discovered in a castle in Switzerland, which sold 100%. " It should be noted that a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL of 1958, estimated between 600 000 and 800 000 euros, sold 1 127 000 euros!
NEXT SCHEDULES
Thanks to the success of this edition, Patrick Peter is already making an appointment in the spring of 2018 for the 8th Spa-Classic. In the meantime, the competitors of the plates by Peter Auto will meet in three weeks at the Golden Age Grand Prix held on the Dijon-Prenois circuit.
