Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog - dialup unfriendly
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Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (11)
Some more shots from the braking-point at La Source:
Can't get enough of the Cobra's.
Nice Marcos.
Astons, they sound so much better in race-outfit.
TVR's have a really great cornering abillity. They do need the power of a V8 though.
Love those early 911's.
You have to be used at the E's by now
Some more shots from the braking-point at La Source:
Can't get enough of the Cobra's.
Nice Marcos.
Astons, they sound so much better in race-outfit.
TVR's have a really great cornering abillity. They do need the power of a V8 though.
Love those early 911's.
You have to be used at the E's by now
Great vid Phil 
Big is better
The noise is deafening at close distance. The big Cobra looks tight at cornering. Class driving there, all that power at just two wheels and on a wet track
And it all happened in front of my eyes.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (12)
Saturday 18:29 - 18:39 hrs.
Time for a snack: Belgium Frites, Hamburgers, draught beers . . . Oh dear, I think I need to see that paddock with the Lightweight.
Mr. Ickx in da house. Guests only. The poor buggers . . .
IMO the best incarnation of an E.
Racy XK next to a Lister.
OSCA, a rare small Italian thouroughbred.
Mysterious Marcos.
I think this is another Beemer-Chevron isn't it?
Big is better The noise is deafening at close distance. The big Cobra looks tight at cornering. Class driving there, all that power at just two wheels and on a wet track
And it all happened in front of my eyes. Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (12)
Saturday 18:29 - 18:39 hrs.
Time for a snack: Belgium Frites, Hamburgers, draught beers . . . Oh dear, I think I need to see that paddock with the Lightweight.
Mr. Ickx in da house. Guests only. The poor buggers . . .
IMO the best incarnation of an E.
Racy XK next to a Lister.
OSCA, a rare small Italian thouroughbred.
Mysterious Marcos.
I think this is another Beemer-Chevron isn't it?
thegreenhell said:
. . . as the low-drag E-type and Project Aston diced together throughout their practise session, carving through the traffic and getting it sideways lap after lap 
Those two were outstanding. Practise for the 6 Hrs I guess. Speaking of roadpresence!
The project Aston was on contant guard BTW.
Some very nice pics there
Good to see someone took a lot of pics too!
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (13)
Last pics of the day, before we teamed up for dinner.
Pre-War classics: I missed the race but enjoyed those works of art around the paddock. There's just so incredibly much to see.
D-type Jag prepared for racing. They are blistering fast around the track . . . and they do sound a bit like the Sagaris
The good thing was I could watch the cars and talk to the mechanics, owners, drivers and listen to their passionate talks about their babies.
XK120 - I think, I'm always wrong.
Italia:
Yup, the Cayenne is way too big . . . Guilia does a 3.35 "and then I'm driving like a God.", according to the driver.
Alfa's have lost their main feature - cuteness - along the way to our new century.
TZ . . . a bit unsharp, but hey I needed some food.
:sms: Albert, we're going to the restaurant in minutes. :/sms:
I must be off then . . . Oh no, what's this?!
Now only recently I really fell for Lancia and this one looked strangely appealing.
Lancia Flavia Sport Zagato, 1.8 boxer 4 and 130 brake.
Back at the Thunderroad vans obviously I was late because everyone except for Phil was already off to the Racing Hotel & Restaurant.
In the Spada again - what a lovely car - the ten of us had a very enjoyable dinner. But they served so damn slow we rushed the main course and skipped the ice-cream and coffee. Convoyed back to the track to see the last 20 mins of the 6 Hrs . . . in the rain.
Phil and I walked the paddocks untill midnight, checking out the lit places. Mechanics sorting out the last details for sunday's race, spotting some previously overlooked automotive glory and having chats with the men and their wheels.
Then we bumped into the big Airstream truck of David Grace. Now there's a character. He offered us a beer "I could invite you in but the fridge died and it's a bit moist in here . . . . " while unwrapping floppy pizza's from wet cardboard boxes. We stayed at the door thank you. He was making 'dinner' for a bunch of guys and from what I believed they all drove eachothers Healey's. Some nice stories there . . .
The Can-Am paddock was still pretty lively and you've already seen some of that stuff . . . But there's more, lots more . . .
At 00:30 we called it a night and we split. I couldn't sleep though. All the impressions and the thundering noises kept me from a goodnight's rest. I wasn't bothered with that at all. At 8 we had breakfast and at 9 we were back at the tracks: practise session for the 2 hours race that afternoon. I had the Autoblog.nl vidcam and shot the line up to the track-gates. Some gorgeous stuff there, firing up and all . . . I hope that footage will be ready somewhere this week.
Ta, Dink.
M3John said:
BossCerbera said:
Phil that looks amazing mate.
The pic that goes along with it:
BossCerbera said:
Dink got a photo of the moment I took P1 from the Sunbeam Tiger:
The blackbox on the leftpassengersseat is full with cams 'n stuff. Three cams were attached to the Cob and all recorded the full hour's race . . .
I'm the black blur around 1:45 on that vid
I suppose . . .Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (14)
Sundaymorning, at 9 we were back on the track. Justin Rocket had his yellow E-type lined up for the 2 hour race practise session and my guesthouse-mate Steve had to be there on time to get the Jag right. I filmed the 80 cars queue for www.Autoblog.nl that morning and I think that 15 mins of footage would be worth hosting by PH.
Justin's wife offered me her pitlane permit - thanx again! - and the two of us went up on the area above the pitlane to see the cars roar by. An excellent chance to shoot some action when the cars came in for maintainance or a drivers exchange, a necessity for most races.
Wonderfull place to capture some sound too. The other side of the Eau Rouge is a bit more quiet. :hint:
Old driver is pulled out and new one stuffed in. "Everything allright, yes and go!"
Early morning atmosphere is great.
Engine died, but with a little help of friends this noisy Vette got back on the track.
Yup, Healey's are definately on my wishlist now. Racing H's that is.
Put a bloody paintjob on FFS! But hey, in the early morning Spa-light this Lotus is a looker.
Sundaymorning, at 9 we were back on the track. Justin Rocket had his yellow E-type lined up for the 2 hour race practise session and my guesthouse-mate Steve had to be there on time to get the Jag right. I filmed the 80 cars queue for www.Autoblog.nl that morning and I think that 15 mins of footage would be worth hosting by PH.
Justin's wife offered me her pitlane permit - thanx again! - and the two of us went up on the area above the pitlane to see the cars roar by. An excellent chance to shoot some action when the cars came in for maintainance or a drivers exchange, a necessity for most races.
Wonderfull place to capture some sound too. The other side of the Eau Rouge is a bit more quiet. :hint:
Old driver is pulled out and new one stuffed in. "Everything allright, yes and go!"
Early morning atmosphere is great.
Engine died, but with a little help of friends this noisy Vette got back on the track.
Yup, Healey's are definately on my wishlist now. Racing H's that is.
Put a bloody paintjob on FFS! But hey, in the early morning Spa-light this Lotus is a looker.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (16)
Stangs:
They never did it for me and obviously as a racingcar they aren't this or that. Still having seen a couple poundering around Spa one must admit Stangs have all the roadpresence you need . . . and a soundbite to die for: 350 CID.
But for a Yank car, there's nothing to beat a Cobra. I especially like those small block screamers.
Dinks favourite: the SPAda:
Phil's wonderfull machine, loverly interior, the perfect GT of all time. A different drive then Tom's because Phil's is more friendly, refined, elegant, smooth but stiffer damped compared to the more racy Dutch Lambo. I feel so amazingly at home in the Espada and off course with PJ at the wheel every mile is a treat.
Boot full of stuff and an excellent table to work da Mac.
I bumped into Norman Ricketts and his best Beemer of the weekend. It's a fast 2.1 and 240 brake thing. Very well sorted and taken care off. I've some excellent hairpins shots to come . . .
Stangs:
They never did it for me and obviously as a racingcar they aren't this or that. Still having seen a couple poundering around Spa one must admit Stangs have all the roadpresence you need . . . and a soundbite to die for: 350 CID.
But for a Yank car, there's nothing to beat a Cobra. I especially like those small block screamers.
Dinks favourite: the SPAda:
Phil's wonderfull machine, loverly interior, the perfect GT of all time. A different drive then Tom's because Phil's is more friendly, refined, elegant, smooth but stiffer damped compared to the more racy Dutch Lambo. I feel so amazingly at home in the Espada and off course with PJ at the wheel every mile is a treat.
Boot full of stuff and an excellent table to work da Mac.
I bumped into Norman Ricketts and his best Beemer of the weekend. It's a fast 2.1 and 240 brake thing. Very well sorted and taken care off. I've some excellent hairpins shots to come . . .
Give the guy a call, Ben. He knows his Beemer.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (17)
Strolling along the padock, led by visual impact only one thing can grab my attention: the sound of engine-music.
I didn't know untill the race, Normans' BMW sounded the absolute nuts. And it's a looker - especially dressed in red and with that nice mill in - but it's no contest for an 70s Aston V8, a racy Capri or a GT40:
. . . with the V8 'on'.
Classic details.
See thru . . .
. . . and admire the mill, at tick over . . .
. . . oh wait, there's more going on. The owner is fiddling . . .
. . . making the heavy metal thunder by pulling the carbs to get her warm . . .
. . . amazing sound, hard and solid . . .
. . . checking the temp of every single exhaust . . .
. . . "Is it OK?" . . .
. . . It is allright and the car is ready to run. Check the interior, shifter at the rightside.
OK, I pulled the yellow a bit deeper because I like that more
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (17)
Strolling along the padock, led by visual impact only one thing can grab my attention: the sound of engine-music.
I didn't know untill the race, Normans' BMW sounded the absolute nuts. And it's a looker - especially dressed in red and with that nice mill in - but it's no contest for an 70s Aston V8, a racy Capri or a GT40:
. . . with the V8 'on'.
Classic details.
See thru . . .
. . . and admire the mill, at tick over . . .
. . . oh wait, there's more going on. The owner is fiddling . . .
. . . making the heavy metal thunder by pulling the carbs to get her warm . . .
. . . amazing sound, hard and solid . . .
. . . checking the temp of every single exhaust . . .
. . . "Is it OK?" . . .
. . . It is allright and the car is ready to run. Check the interior, shifter at the rightside.
OK, I pulled the yellow a bit deeper because I like that more
OK, sit a bit more upright in this little baby . . .
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (18)
A bit harder to drag around the track than the GT40 I think. With the small wheelbase and the V8 upfront a 60s Griff is a handfull to handle. Like I said earlier, a 240Z just passed without effort. There's almost no substitute for the sound though . . .
Almost the same colour and the same Ford Motorsport V8.
There's that yum Sabre again. It's only now that I see I took some double shots
Is that the blown up six?
Bloody well sorted Lister.
A fast and tight thingy. Razorsharp cornering at La Source . . .
The thing is, in The Netherlands the classic racingcar drivers aren't very eager to talk when they have done their race. But at Spa those Brits are all so kind to share their impressions and close to the edge stories. I just walked to the guys and asked if all went well. Always a kind word, and within secs the racer was surrounded by a little crowd.
This Alfa man just had the best race ever.
Some cars just have no racy bits at all when original. Still some brave souls try hard to transform 'em into racers. With all the sweet results.
Very nice Singers appeals.
Back to the Thunderroad Cobra again. My arm could fit in . . .
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (18)
A bit harder to drag around the track than the GT40 I think. With the small wheelbase and the V8 upfront a 60s Griff is a handfull to handle. Like I said earlier, a 240Z just passed without effort. There's almost no substitute for the sound though . . .
Almost the same colour and the same Ford Motorsport V8.
There's that yum Sabre again. It's only now that I see I took some double shots
Is that the blown up six?
Bloody well sorted Lister.
A fast and tight thingy. Razorsharp cornering at La Source . . .
The thing is, in The Netherlands the classic racingcar drivers aren't very eager to talk when they have done their race. But at Spa those Brits are all so kind to share their impressions and close to the edge stories. I just walked to the guys and asked if all went well. Always a kind word, and within secs the racer was surrounded by a little crowd.
This Alfa man just had the best race ever.
Some cars just have no racy bits at all when original. Still some brave souls try hard to transform 'em into racers. With all the sweet results.
Very nice Singers appeals.
Back to the Thunderroad Cobra again. My arm could fit in . . .
For podium-certainty I need to be there as a good luck charm I guess . . .
Phil - I'm not THAT good in a car - James* mentioned T70's (best laptime 2:35.131) . . . you'll get some tonight.
As well as Chevrons, both Macca's, the awesome 917, real GT40's
all going through La Source at touching distance.
Oh baby, standing there with the press-permit on my wrist
Believe me Tim, you NEED to be there next year. This year's art guy wasn't all that . . . Your work - on the other hand - is stunning.
I feel a PH-meet coming on.
Jon, check this for names:
www.ris-timing.be/circuit/6hspa/2006/index.htm
. . . and click on 'race' and all that. You can pick the TVR by searching numbers.
* Phil is a very smooth driver. And confident. He adds extra roadpresence to the cars he drives. Check the Ring and Spa vids to check
Back to work now
Phil - I'm not THAT good in a car - James* mentioned T70's (best laptime 2:35.131) . . . you'll get some tonight. As well as Chevrons, both Macca's, the awesome 917, real GT40's
all going through La Source at touching distance. Oh baby, standing there with the press-permit on my wrist
Believe me Tim, you NEED to be there next year. This year's art guy wasn't all that . . . Your work - on the other hand - is stunning.
I feel a PH-meet coming on.
Jon, check this for names:
www.ris-timing.be/circuit/6hspa/2006/index.htm
. . . and click on 'race' and all that. You can pick the TVR by searching numbers.
* Phil is a very smooth driver. And confident. He adds extra roadpresence to the cars he drives. Check the Ring and Spa vids to check
Back to work now
We could hire an entire Francorchamps street with guesthouses
Or make that a PH-village with tents and all . . . imagine the fun.
It makes me feel good all you guys (just guys?) are so bloody enthusiastic about this event. I thought there were only a handfull of classic-carnutters around here . . .
Or make that a PH-village with tents and all . . . imagine the fun.
It makes me feel good all you guys (just guys?) are so bloody enthusiastic about this event. I thought there were only a handfull of classic-carnutters around here . . .
M3John said:
Wot he said
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (19)
Does this one look gorgeous or what. Clarckson & Williams' #68 '69 T160 Spyder Lola CanAm
More Lola's . . .
. . . the Barbot & Baker's #12 T70 Mk IIIB finished 1st. Fastest lap: 2:35.131 and best soundtrack: loud with a capital L.
This Smith bros T #88 finished 3rd, leaving Ford GT40 and Porker 917 behind.
But it was the 917 everybody was looking at.
Can't really blame 'em.
Appropriate #40 had a 3:01 for best time.
This Macca M1B we saw before at the paddock after training. I tell ya, at speed and in full swing these short wheelbased babies look the nuts.
Best lap of this one: 3:25. I guess Humily & Gouedard were taking it easy.
But not this one, Wrigley & Lyons threw her about Spa at a blistering 2:44.
Original McLaren orange and with the cogs in place . . . the all night's work on Dodkins' Mac payed off.
Chevron BB #37 (2:52) at speed. Those cars are really made to do anything, even in the hairpin. The lines were never the same. A bit difficult to grab for Dink . . .
. . . although I must say this #43 (2:46) is a nice catch. Almost to touch.
Gitanes #44 (2:37) 3 litre Ford '72 Lola 280 was difficult too. I think this one went through La Source fastest.
I feel like doing another one
Edited by dinkel on Monday 23 October 20:38
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (20)
Abarth SEO21 (2:54) was the first Abarth car to be fitted with a Hewland gearbox by the works which transformed their performance. The Hewland FT200 being significantly lighter than the Abarth unit. Of the 5 cars originally built, only 4 survive the remaining 3 being housed in private collections.
My first flaming exhaust: Osella PA6/7 Spider (2:48).
The difference in racing the track with the late 60s/early 70s cars is amazing.
F2 Cossie powered (from 1.6 to 2.0) Chevron B16 (2:45) looks stunning.
Scenery is quite nice too.
GT40 (3:01) is no match for the newer cars, but boy do they blast up to the straight.
Abarth SEO21 (2:54) was the first Abarth car to be fitted with a Hewland gearbox by the works which transformed their performance. The Hewland FT200 being significantly lighter than the Abarth unit. Of the 5 cars originally built, only 4 survive the remaining 3 being housed in private collections.
My first flaming exhaust: Osella PA6/7 Spider (2:48).
The difference in racing the track with the late 60s/early 70s cars is amazing.
F2 Cossie powered (from 1.6 to 2.0) Chevron B16 (2:45) looks stunning.
Scenery is quite nice too.
GT40 (3:01) is no match for the newer cars, but boy do they blast up to the straight.
Tonight's last one
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (21)
The T70 . . .
. . . and the 917 are childhood favourites.
I can't describe the feeling of seeing, hearing and almost touching-at-speed these amazing cars.
There's that Mac again . . .
. . . and this one's getting closer . . .
. . . and hey, don't scratch the orange please!
Seeing the drivers at work is luverly.
Never heard of this Lenham Spyder (2:57) but it looks great.
Hey, what have you been smoking! Gitanes obviously.
Like I said, this thingy was coming on so fast, it had to go on straight. A sec later he locked up here. Oh bugger, if I could only control my index finger
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (21)
The T70 . . .
. . . and the 917 are childhood favourites.
I can't describe the feeling of seeing, hearing and almost touching-at-speed these amazing cars.
There's that Mac again . . .
. . . and this one's getting closer . . .
. . . and hey, don't scratch the orange please!
Seeing the drivers at work is luverly.
Never heard of this Lenham Spyder (2:57) but it looks great.
Hey, what have you been smoking! Gitanes obviously.
Like I said, this thingy was coming on so fast, it had to go on straight. A sec later he locked up here. Oh bugger, if I could only control my index finger
focused said:
Superb shots of some stunning cars Dinkel
That T70 is One of my top 10 fave cars of all time.
That T70 is One of my top 10 fave cars of all time. You have a pretty shot yourself sir!
Nice stuff Mark
I still didn't see a pic of me at Spa though
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (22)
Here you go then Focused:
Jo Bonnier locking up.
I'd to be damn quick to catch a lockup. I my mind I was thinking the possible line the car'd make and all of a sudden something else happends. In this case a lock up, which is over before you can blink yer eye. The driver has to recuperate the balance or else - it's still going fast, 2nd gear at about 60 I guess - the car would go anywhere.
This early 4.5 litre 917 ('69) is a legendary car, sounding way different compared to the beefy V8's.
I was amazed and attracted to this Abarth Osella SE021 . . .
. . . the T70's took my breath, the GT40's were very comfortable company, I fell in love with the Lola 280, the Macca's were heaven to be with, the 917 was just there (much to my surprise it didn't shook me apart) and this little red intrigueing 2 litre had it all. This one for me to run around Spa: steady and razorsharp, smarting and reaching for top-end power, out in the open and doing under 3 mins runs
This would make a nice shirt again!
I think smallish Italian hotties are it for me then . . . Abarth Simca 2000GT (3:33)
Although, a big Rari - the only I saw that weekend - isn't bad at all: 250 GT/Lusso (4:17)
Gorgeous 12 sounded like nothing else. Not very quick but very, very elegant.
Checking out da big stuff. Q: why would one choose a Holley over a set of Webers?
Nice Lotus going home . . . not me I ain't going yet.
Ahlers' Morgan Plus 8 (2:49) didn't look bog standard to me
Beasts they are, light, quicksilver cornering and sounding intimidating. Like street-use Morgans should be. Love those side-mirrors.Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (23)
The Bad Bryant Family Morg (2:46) was even faster than #39 . . .
My baby's going home. Shame it didn't race well . . . maybe next year.
Broadley designed the T70 and gave it a nice behind. Maybe because that's all you'd see in a race.
I prefer this side though. My gawd my kingdom for this car.
Dodskins Mac after the race.
Jags: what a lovely coupe and Eike's Lister again.
Whoah . . .
. . . and comfy inside, with all the GT's luxoury.
AC Ace - if I'm right - I got a nice one in the hairpin later . . .
Big 7 litre Galaxie.
Cute team of Simca's: Rally and Coupe.
I feel like doing another one . . .
The Bad Bryant Family Morg (2:46) was even faster than #39 . . .
My baby's going home. Shame it didn't race well . . . maybe next year.
Broadley designed the T70 and gave it a nice behind. Maybe because that's all you'd see in a race.
I prefer this side though. My gawd my kingdom for this car.
Dodskins Mac after the race.
Jags: what a lovely coupe and Eike's Lister again.
Whoah . . .
. . . and comfy inside, with all the GT's luxoury.
AC Ace - if I'm right - I got a nice one in the hairpin later . . .
Big 7 litre Galaxie.
Cute team of Simca's: Rally and Coupe.
I feel like doing another one . . .
Edited by dinkel on Wednesday 25th October 20:13
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