Hundreds of classic cars and historic racers flocked to Spa-Francorchamps last weekend for the seventh running of the Spa Classic, and it proved a record-setting event, attracting a massive crowd of more than 20,000.
The meeting remained faithful to the circuit’s fearsome reputation for changeable weather, as 28 degree heat and blazing sunshine gave way to plunging temperatures and heavy rain for the first day of qualifying, which was headlined by an incredible grid of historic Group C cars. A committed display from the drivers resulted in evocative plumes of spray following each car, though the standing water also resulted in a handful of spectacular spins at the Bus Stop Chicane. Conditions improved for the second qualifying session, enabling Christophe d’Ansembourg to slash his Jaguar XKR14’s best time by more than 36 seconds to top the qualifying table.
However, it was fourth-placed qualifier Steve Tandy who took the chequered flag in his 1990 Spice SE90 during both races, despite being run close in the second by Michael Lyons’ Gebhardt C91.
