On the Whit-weekend Spa Franchorchamps hosted the famous Ferrari
Racings Days, but….now it was organized by “Ferrari
Maserati Group West Organisation” and there were lot of sponsors.
Because of all this the name was changed in “Spa Ferrari Maserati
Days”. Compared with the big field of competitors of the last
years “World Finals” at Spa it was almost boring. We
had to hope for some competition during the races…
In the past I always stayed around the pit, paddock and parking
areas to take my photos and if I wanted to shoot some along the
track I walked to Eau Rouge, La Source or the Bus-Stop. These days
I wanted to go somewhere else along the track. Our choice: first
Les Combes and then to Stavelot & Blanchimont. By that time
we were sure that the weather was going to be nice, although I’m
not too keen on taking photos in very sharp sunlight. But after
I heard the first 512 BB/LM on track the sun was forgotten…
The first day we watched the qualification laps, demos and clubs
track activity and a new race: Trofeo Vodafone Maserati. The sound
of the Maseratis is great and the drivers certainly know where to
find the accelerators, causing some skidding and missing of chicanes.
Things the photographers are waiting for! Next the Shell Historic
Challenge grid C was on the track, with very fast cars and guys
like John Bosch in his 512 BB/LM and Peter Hardman in his 330 P3.
In the drum-brake class few cars were entered and the single-seaters
grid also saw few cars, partly due to the fact that Thomas Bscher
withdrew his two Maseratis (300S & 250F) because he had problems
with the certification. But there were some nice cars, like 500
Mondials, SWBs, TdFs, 512 BB/LMs and the marvellous 625 F1.
Sunday also started with sunny weather and I heard that in the
paddock many noteable Ferraris had arrived, like Lussos, a SWB California
Spider, a 250 LM, two Enzos and three 612 Scagliettis which I didn’t
see because I preferred to stay along the track.
After the end of the meeting it became overcast and once in my
car it started to rain cats and dogs. On my way home I smiled, thinking
of these two nice day I had, seeing some people I hadn’t met
before and taking some nice pictures. Everybody who was at Spa will
decide for himself whether it was worth going there in the first
place. The next round is on the Nürburgring on August 7 and
8, during the AvD Oldtimer Grandprix. I’ll be there…
no matter what
|
