On a chilly February evening, and for the second time this decade, teams loaded up their transporters for the
journey to Spa-Lyons. Teams arrived to find the track already alive with spectators, many who had come to cheer on
their favourite who was scheduled to debut the new Rover BRM turbine car.
Spectators and media had assumed the best possible locations.
Even Bib was trying to get in on the show.
Track regulars Bill and Sally were back at Hot Tub Corner again, but mindful of the stir created by them during
the last race meeting, the Woman’s White Cross League were there in their proper skirts and practical loafers,
attempting (somewhat futilely perhaps) to preserve virtuous behaviour for all of mankind!!
As the evening began, drivers seemed unusually well behaved (perhaps it was the lack of a NASCAR event) and things
started off smoothly with a 50’s Vintage race. After a very gentlemanly race with few incidents, Robert Manzon in his
beautiful Gordini T-32, relived his triumphant finish in the GP of Reims and showed the field the way home with 63 laps.
He was followed one lap later (62) by ‘The Pampas Bull’ Jose Froilan Gonzalez, showing the Italian flag and driving
the same Ferrari 375 he had driven to victory in the 1951 Silverstone GP. Two laps back with 60 was Snidley Whiplash
in his beautiful turquoise Maserati 250F. With 58 laps, and in his reserve Ferrari D50, was Juan Manuel Fangio
with 58 laps.
Next up on the schedule were sports cars. A mixed bag representing a wide range of eras took to the track.
A Jaguar XK120 fresh from the Alpen Rally led the field with 61 laps,
followed by a 1965 Rover BRM driven by crowd favourite Sir Jackie Stewart only 5 seconds behind in second.
Punching well above it’s class, the VW Beetle 1200 DeLuxe of Manuel Hinke, fresh (??) from it’s running in the 1954
Carrera Panamericana finished a distant 3rd with 57 laps, but showing it’s heels to an even older
1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 “Uovo” driven by Giannino ‘the tailor’ Marzotto that finished with 56 laps.
With 52 laps, the 1966 Porsche 904 GTS of George Follmer and Peter Gregg that ran in the 1966 Sebring 12 hours
followed along after a very tidy run.
Sir Jackie’s result sent many of the elated fans scurrying to open a fresh Tripel Karmeliet and racing was paused so
all could enjoy the moment.
After a break and a delicious chocolate cupcake sugar fix courtesy of Johnathan the drivers were back at it in Vintage
Lemans cars. A lone Ferrari 512S Coda Lunga in very un-Italian silver led an almost all Porsche grid to the chequered
flag with a blistering 68 laps. It was followed 3 laps later by a Porsche 907 LH in livery as raced in the 1968 24H of
Daytona piloted by Jo Siffert & Hans Hermann. It was followed 2 laps later by a Porsche 917K from the 1970 24 Hrs.
of Lemans and driven by Gijs Van Lennep & David Piper with 63 laps. Next along with 62 laps was a 1971 Porsche
917LH in Martini livery that was raced by Gérard Larrousse & Vic Elford. A 1969 Targa Florio liveried Porsche 907K
piloted by Hans Dieter Dechent and Gerhard Koch rounded out the field with 57 laps.
The evening ended with CanAm cars roaring to life. After many enlightening trips past Hot Tub Corner the
McLAREN M8D sponsored by Paul Newman Racing and as driven by Bob Bondrant at the 1971 series opening race
at Mosport easily outclassed the field with a scorching 73 laps.
Eating tire dust all the way home, the team of an Alfa Romeo T33/4 driven by Scooter Patrick and sponsored by
West Coast Distributor Otto Zipper Alfa and a Chaparral 2E as piloted by Phil Hill at the 1966 Mosport Can-Am
trailed in 6 laps later with 67 circuits.
A McLaren M20 piloted by Denny Hulme was further back with 64 laps
and having a few mechanical issues a 1974 McLaren M20 Interseries car piloted by privateer Mark Kelleners
finished with 58 laps.
A 1971 Sebring liveried Alfa Romeo T33/3 liveried as driven by Nino Vaccarella and Tony Heinzman finished
with 57 laps.
To the victors went the champagne as they were all toasted appropriately, in the finest time honoured tradition.
It was great to return again to Spa-Lyons. Thanks to our host Drew and his wife Nancy for their hospitality on a
brisk February evening!
