The annual pilgrimage to Spa Francorchamps is the highlight of both our Open and formula classic
race series. When abroad the two series are combined to ensure a viable grid size.  This year we had an ideal July date to hopefully get the best of the usually fickle Ardennes weather.

Qualifying 1st Session
Friday started with the first of 2 qualifying sessions on a cool but dry track.

The first session had the 458s of Gary Eastwood and Shaun Balfe leading the way for the Open cars, all of which appeared healthy and completed the whole session.

The classics were not so happy with Nigel Jenkins suffering with his gearbox stuck in 3rd, and pre-race favourite Danny Winstanley having on-going electrical gremlins and a faulty transponder, meaning they would be starting Race 1 from the back of the grid. Starting at the front of the classic grid would be Jim Cartwight (all 328s).

Qualifying 2nd session
A short shower 5 minutes before the session confused a few of the Open racers and they put wets on. It was a wrong decision as the track dried very quickly enabling Shaun Balfe to set a much faster qualifying time of 2 minutes 30 to head the open field.

Jim Cartwight set the fastest classic time of 2 minutes 56 which was 7th overall and ahead of 7 of the Open cars. David Tomlin (430/Ch) was second in the classic qualifying but a blown engine would put him out of the races.

Race 1 Saturday
All the cars made a good rolling start and Gary Eastwood took the lead from Shaun Balfe but during lap 2 Gary thought he had a puncture and came into the pits, only to realise the tyre was ok and he had been slipping on a trail of oil from one of the classics!

Shaun Balfe would continue to a comfortable victory in the Open but the best dice was just behind with Paul Bailey (430GT2), Mick Dwane (458/Ch) and Sam Smeeth (430/Ch) all close,  Mick and Sam swapping positions at least 5 times during the race.

All the cars in C2 and C1 ran in close company all race, with Nick Kaye winning the 360 battle and Lee Moulden the 355 contest.

In the classic section of the race Jim Cartwright had a straightforward victory with no one close to him throughout. Nigel Jenkins came from the back of the grid to get up to 2nd place after 3 laps. Danny Winstanley also came through only for a repeat of his misfire problems  forcing his retirement half way through the race.

Most of the other cars were well spaced by the end with Chris Butler (328) taking the class 3 honours after a good battle with Nick Cartwight in his well prepared group 4 car, which finished 3rd overall.

Race 2 Sunday
With another good rolling start and no problems at the first corner the Open race was dominated by Shaun Balfe who had a lights to flag victory.

Gary Eastwood gave vain chase but the main mover was Sam Smeeth who again had a race long duel with Mick Dwane, this time prevailing and taking 3rd overall. In class C2 Gavin Shirley was the loser in a battle with the Armco just after Rivage on lap 4. Paul Brooks was the only other retiree from the  race.

In classic Jim Cartwight once again had a comfortable victory ahead of Nigel Jenkins and Nick Cartwright.  In 4th place was the beautiful Daytona Competzione of Tim Summers who had finally got to grips with Spa and showed exceptional pace.

The respective winners of Open and classic both set new  lap records with Shaun Balfe(458) 2'30.048" and Jim Cartwight(328) 2'52.267

Click here for PFO Race results.

Click here for PFfc Race results.

Next meeting: August 18/19, Donington Park (D/H)

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