Spa really is the track that never disappoints. Rain or shine it is a great challenge. The countryside is beautiful, the La Source hotel in particular is excellent and the local restaurants are fun. Also, as it is a three day meeting there is lots of time to socialise, swap stories of daring-do and generally have a fun time.

This year's visit was blessed with sunny and hot conditions. I can't remember ever going to Spa and not worrying what the weather was going to do. To be honest it was a bit too hot to race, fireproof overalls are not cooling!

As at Silverstone previously, in order to fill this long track the Open and classic cars were on the same grid. The entry level for the formula classic races was OK with 15 cars qualifying. Top of the tree was the indecently quick 308 Michelotto GTB of Jean Clement but he was not registered for the Club's series and his car did not comply with our regulations so therefore he ran as a guest driver. Of 'our lot' Jim Cartwright was quickest, but in Qualy 1 (for race 1) Nicky Paul-Barron put his experience to good use to bag 3nd position from Wayne Marrs.

In Qualy 2 (for race 2) there was typical ADAC confusion over timing and many cars failed to get a full session. The Michelotto was again quickest, this time driven by another guest driver Peter Praller, but it was David Tomlin who was at the top of the classic time sheets from Jim Cartwright and Wayne Marrs.

Unfortunately John Swift suffered a stub axle failure on his 308 GTB and would not take any further part in the meeting.

From a clean rolling start behind the Open racers it was N.P-B who lead lap 1 from Jim C. The old boy's glory was short lived however, and once Jim got past there was only ever going to be one winner.

Behind this pair was a great tussle between Marrs, Jenkins, and Tomlin, with the 275 of Jan Gyzen proving to be very quick. In time Gyzen got clear of this pack and chased down N.P-B. He even got past once or twice, but it was the 328 who won out on this occasion. Marrs had a spin which left the finishing order as Jim C, N.P-B, Jan Gyzen, Nigel Jenkins and David Tomlin.

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With a better grid position than for race 1 it was David Tomlin's turn to have a go at the flying Jim Cartwright. And have a go he certainly did, keeping the young Jim more than honest. Head of the pack though was Jan Gyzen in the very powerful 275 GTB4. The younger cars had more corner speed and much better brakes, but on the straight bits the old 12 pot was pretty awesome.

Behind these three there was a great battle between Marrs and N.P-B. This was a repeat of their Silverstone race. It was ever so close at times and looked fun, but of course they were holding each other up badly. This enabled Nigel Jenkins to close and indeed get past to secure 4th spot. Tomlin lost all gears but 5th near the end, which left Jim C with empty mirrors. The final order therefore was Gyzen, Jim C, Tomlin, Jenkins and Marrs.

Having been first on the road in both races we enjoyed the company of Jean Clements and Peter Praller in their 308 GTB Michelotto "evocation" in Alitalia racing colours. It certainly looked the part. Running on intermediate racing tyres and at an un-known weight it was very quick, but was not of course eligible for the series.

Click here for the results of both races.

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