Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog - dialup unfriendly
Discussion
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog
So WTF is this all about then?
Well Dink's got a brand new job and it'll be a bit PH unfriendly (read: more Dink demanding), which isn't a bad thing BTW. So I thought it'd be a nice idea to do a blog and post up 'some' of my 700 Spa-pictures with a bit of caption and leave the rest of the forums alone . . .
Enjoy, for the forthcoming weeks I guess . . .
Being at a racing-classics-event at Spa is one of those really great things to do. What an amazing unreal place to be. Just driving to it in my ratty Civic was a nice experience, doing some twisties through the woods and letting her rip.
But OK, I parked my car and headed for Cheng Lim's place in the paddock. I met BossCerbera who invited me to check out the races and the mighty Thunderroad Cobra: what a glorious beast!
Those exhausts were the biggest I've ever seen on a roadcar. Yup, it's roadlegal.
Look at the gearswitchsystem, it ain't standard!
Phil, Cheng and Barry sorting out the three vidcams for sunday's race-footage.
After saying 'hi and all that' the Cobra's new brakes needed some roadtesting. "So let's get in the Spada and take your cam", Phil said . . . More tomorrow
This one's got a soundbyte you won't believe. It's like a funnycar doing an endless quartermile. Baby engine 6.6 gives 630 brake.
So WTF is this all about then?
Well Dink's got a brand new job and it'll be a bit PH unfriendly (read: more Dink demanding), which isn't a bad thing BTW. So I thought it'd be a nice idea to do a blog and post up 'some' of my 700 Spa-pictures with a bit of caption and leave the rest of the forums alone . . .
Enjoy, for the forthcoming weeks I guess . . .
Being at a racing-classics-event at Spa is one of those really great things to do. What an amazing unreal place to be. Just driving to it in my ratty Civic was a nice experience, doing some twisties through the woods and letting her rip.
But OK, I parked my car and headed for Cheng Lim's place in the paddock. I met BossCerbera who invited me to check out the races and the mighty Thunderroad Cobra: what a glorious beast!
Those exhausts were the biggest I've ever seen on a roadcar. Yup, it's roadlegal.
Look at the gearswitchsystem, it ain't standard!
Phil, Cheng and Barry sorting out the three vidcams for sunday's race-footage.
After saying 'hi and all that' the Cobra's new brakes needed some roadtesting. "So let's get in the Spada and take your cam", Phil said . . . More tomorrow
This one's got a soundbyte you won't believe. It's like a funnycar doing an endless quartermile. Baby engine 6.6 gives 630 brake.
Mind you, Cheng was giving it just a bit more than tick over
Thanx for posting some highlights Phil. There'll be loads more forthcoming weeks. It'd be nice to add some additional info, like explaing the Cobra's gearshift etc. in reaction to my daily feed. Would you like to do that please?
Thanx for posting some highlights Phil. There'll be loads more forthcoming weeks. It'd be nice to add some additional info, like explaing the Cobra's gearshift etc. in reaction to my daily feed. Would you like to do that please?
By chance I slipped through the officials at the La Source hairpin. The saturday pics were great so I just walked into the pressroom to ask for a press-permit to shoot the cars from there. Sunday was my lucky day!
But hey, I'll just tell my story in a chronological way. So this evening I'll sit down for some 'Spada tries to tail the Cobra' action.
But hey, I'll just tell my story in a chronological way. So this evening I'll sit down for some 'Spada tries to tail the Cobra' action.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (2)
Taking a seat in Phil's wonderfull Spada - a favourite as you'll all know - was a familiar one. The interior is luverly, seats are mega-comfy and all is in A-class condition. The steering wheel at the other side made no difference in liking it so damn much. This GT is just so me.
Chasing Cheng's big one is another matter though. The Lambo is certainly not a slow car. Trying to keep up with the Cobra on the rural roads around the track took the best of the 365 bhp 4 litre V12. And still we were pedestrian compared to the strolling beast. "From what I hear he's revving it to about 3k max." we were doing more than double . . .
Look at the two cars being entirely different. I must say the Espada drew a lot of attention and some had to ask what engine was in it! (check out the plates FFS!) Amazing for a Lambo-freak like me . . . but it says all about the unfamilliarity with the apparently rare Spada.
I'm really looking forward to the race-footage. Stage-taping the wires . . .
Racing GT40 with a magnificent Gurney-Weslake V8 in. All those Ford's - and there were quite a few that weekend - sounded the nuts. But what amazed me was they often weren't the quickest cars around.
Nice Stratos rep.
Our neighbours at the paddock: Richard Abels' E-type.
The variety of the cars present was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen so much different cars in one weekend.
Tomorrow: paddock strolling provided for some more nice ones.
Taking a seat in Phil's wonderfull Spada - a favourite as you'll all know - was a familiar one. The interior is luverly, seats are mega-comfy and all is in A-class condition. The steering wheel at the other side made no difference in liking it so damn much. This GT is just so me.
Chasing Cheng's big one is another matter though. The Lambo is certainly not a slow car. Trying to keep up with the Cobra on the rural roads around the track took the best of the 365 bhp 4 litre V12. And still we were pedestrian compared to the strolling beast. "From what I hear he's revving it to about 3k max." we were doing more than double . . .
Look at the two cars being entirely different. I must say the Espada drew a lot of attention and some had to ask what engine was in it! (check out the plates FFS!) Amazing for a Lambo-freak like me . . . but it says all about the unfamilliarity with the apparently rare Spada.
I'm really looking forward to the race-footage. Stage-taping the wires . . .
Racing GT40 with a magnificent Gurney-Weslake V8 in. All those Ford's - and there were quite a few that weekend - sounded the nuts. But what amazed me was they often weren't the quickest cars around.
Nice Stratos rep.
Our neighbours at the paddock: Richard Abels' E-type.
The variety of the cars present was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen so much different cars in one weekend.
Tomorrow: paddock strolling provided for some more nice ones.
jellison said:
Any Real Griffs?
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (3)
There she is. The amazing thing was: during the six hour race a Z240 Datsun got past her easy! I guess the TVR is a more difficult baby to drive.
Chaindriven '34 Frazer-Nash with the interior lifted to sort out the . . . . gearbox I think. Imagine cars like this next to souped Vette's. The Paddocks were automotive Nivana's.
This little NSU Prinz was blistering fast on the track and so charming. Great soundbyte too.
Everyone's favourite: the GT Junior. Does laptimes of about 3.15 mins.
Nice Ginetta looks a bit E-light . . .
Raw Vette gets the last details in engine tuning before the race.
I never had a thing for Stangs, but this weekend that changed a bit. To say all Yank mills look the same is another myth. The variation in intake and exhaust, heads and lay-out is amazing. Almost every mill was a personal flavoured work of art.
I said it! Escort with a hard one in.
I didn't get this badge . . . Anyone?
BossCerbera said:
. . . I suspect the old "Dink The Link" days are gone - Dink will post his own photos now! 
More tomorrow.
PS. Nice ones Phil
After our gang of ten had diner at a slooooow serving restaurant in Francorchamps, we raced back to the track (Spada again
) to catch the last half hour of the main event: the six hour race. Phil placed his iXus on the bars of the stand to catch some light and atmosphere. I was just shouting everytime a Healey, Light-E or Cobra Coupe lifted (instead of braking for the slope at Eau Rouge) and popped and banged the hell out their engine's. What an amazing hellfire they gave. A famous lightweight E-type cracked so much like the six was going to burst. Some Astons ditto. 
You'll see the traffic was pretty heavy. There were over a 100 classic cars running!
In all the hurry and the good weather at my Dutch home I forgot to take a coat with me. I'm a bit taller than Phil so the Lambo jumper he lend me was a bit tight but kept me warm at rain and at night. Thanx for that!
After the 6 hrs race was over all went to their hotels. At effing 22.30! We checked out the paddocks and met some guys sorting out their machinery. Really amazing how open and friendly everyone was. A good way to make friends. Next day I met them again and asked for their emails to sent 'em the pics I took from their cars. We called it a night at 00.30. With all the impressions and thundering sounds lingering in my head I didn't get much sleep.
What did I say, more tomorrow?
Edit to ditch a major mistake!
Edited by dinkel on Wednesday 4th October 21:50
jellison said:
Can't find any results sheets on the Web for this.
www.ris-timing.be/circuit/6hspa/2006/1r.htm
Results of the six-hours race. Check out the Datsuns . . .
www.roadbook.be/EN/races/courses.html
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (4)
We're still at Paddock #1, and there are a handfull, and the pitlane, and the La Source panshots . . . ouch what an expectancy.
For sale: imagine on your parking space.
The driver of one of these Vettes was only 21 . . . both things behaved like trucks at La Source!
Whoah, strolling along taking snaps of Capri's and talking to Beemer pilots and all of a sudden this almost runs over my toes.
What do you mean, another Aston?
They look so damn nice in racing outfit. As with the Healey's (265 brake in race-trim, giving 911's a hard time) MGB's are just that more likeable when beefed up.
Some cars have an aura of their own. This raw one does tick some of my boxes.
The white Escort was the car I chased along the last few miles to the track. I must say it gave me enough comfort I could tail it.
The funny thing was: sundaymorning I drove Steve to the track in my Civic. She wasn't even warmed up - so I drove at a modest pace - when in the middle of MY story HE told me an aneqdote about a guy in an E driving straight through the roundabout we're approaching. The Jag lost the brakes. Now I wonder, was that because I was confident on my brakes?
Or was it just a coincidence. 
GT40-guy revving it.
Wonderfull stuff.
Just for this once then
Bizzi stole the show: best car of the weekend IMO. Soundtrack to die for.
Yellow Cobra was a rough one. Not as loud as the awesome blue small blocked Coupes but a fine beastie rumbling through the hairpin on just an armlength of my lens.
Luverly TZ - a personal favourite - went sideways in front of me very eyes. That happened a few times so keep watching this thread . . .
Bizzi stole the show: best car of the weekend IMO. Soundtrack to die for.
Yellow Cobra was a rough one. Not as loud as the awesome blue small blocked Coupes but a fine beastie rumbling through the hairpin on just an armlength of my lens.
Luverly TZ - a personal favourite - went sideways in front of me very eyes. That happened a few times so keep watching this thread . . .
I think I might have some pics of that white V8 MGB.
Thanx Dave, here's more
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (5)
"Hi, pretty car you have there."
- "Yeah thanx, I've just made the final adjustments for this afternoons race."
"So tell me, why did you keep the SU's instead of three double Webers or the original MFI?"
- "It's the class I race in. Regulations tell me to stick to the SU carbs. Really simple to set up really. But I'd love to have the Webers on."
"Cheers mate, good luck with the race and have fun."
- "Cheers and thanx."
Another rather funny SU setup on this Morgan. Funny because it's a bit awkward to see old combined with new stuff.
Quite a few LC's around. This was my fav.
But of all the fourpotters around, the Beemers stole my heart. They sound the bits (same 230 bhp 2 litre as in the Chevrons), they absolutely handle razorsharp (looking at their trackbehaviour) and they outperform similar Alfa's for sure . . .
I could resist taking pics of the amazing looking parking packed with utter glorious temporary wheels, just outside the track. But I had to snap this Tusc.
Oh yes, Aurelia V6. Love those steel wheels.
Quite a bunch of E's around. I'm not an E-fan because they look too damn chique and have a kind of distance even. But in ratty racing dress, they're just everything you need to flash around the paddocks. Those big sixes steal my heart everytime I see one, hear one . . . Wheels are banged with the hammer to unscrew.
Thanx Dave, here's more
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (5)
"Hi, pretty car you have there."
- "Yeah thanx, I've just made the final adjustments for this afternoons race."
"So tell me, why did you keep the SU's instead of three double Webers or the original MFI?"
- "It's the class I race in. Regulations tell me to stick to the SU carbs. Really simple to set up really. But I'd love to have the Webers on."
"Cheers mate, good luck with the race and have fun."
- "Cheers and thanx."
Another rather funny SU setup on this Morgan. Funny because it's a bit awkward to see old combined with new stuff.
Quite a few LC's around. This was my fav.
But of all the fourpotters around, the Beemers stole my heart. They sound the bits (same 230 bhp 2 litre as in the Chevrons), they absolutely handle razorsharp (looking at their trackbehaviour) and they outperform similar Alfa's for sure . . .
I could resist taking pics of the amazing looking parking packed with utter glorious temporary wheels, just outside the track. But I had to snap this Tusc.
Oh yes, Aurelia V6. Love those steel wheels.
Quite a bunch of E's around. I'm not an E-fan because they look too damn chique and have a kind of distance even. But in ratty racing dress, they're just everything you need to flash around the paddocks. Those big sixes steal my heart everytime I see one, hear one . . . Wheels are banged with the hammer to unscrew.
johnnymaestro said:
The red Reliant Sabre Six is owned by a very good friend of mine. Unfortunatly The engine blew in a catastrophic way yesterday at Snetterton on the start finish straight leaving a fist sized hole . . . .
johnny
johnny
Damn shame to hear that. Such a gorgeous car! Please send the driver / owner my sympathy. And this link off course
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (6)
Through the tunnel ignoring the pitlane and the food and beverage straight to the next Paddock area:
A handfull of gorgeous hardtopped Cobra's around, without exception in mint condition. The blue duo at the Six Hour Race were really thundering the track only surpassed in sound by the evil twins: both excellent 350GT Stangs.
This red baby had it all. Just look at her being gloriously perfect.
Coventry Climax at their best fitting: in Lotus dress. They look impossible to fit a human pilot but some stepped out and were about my size (1.86m). Sounding fierce and cornering like you wouldn't believe. There's absolutely no sense in using a big car at a curvy track when you've seen a Lotus doing her thing: beyond razorsharp.
Back to the V8's:
Ah, I could smell the big V8's and even better: I could hear em being wicked. The next paddock was packed with CanAm's, 60s and 70s F1, Chevrons and Lola's . . . Imagine the temptation to walk and ignore the signs. There was a pitlane and even more tempting: across it the officials site and the perfect spot to catch the cars braking from almost top speed to 2nd gear to try on the La Source hairpin . . .
www.ris-timing.be/circuit/6hspa/2006/11r.htm
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (7)
Big Healey's: they grow on me.
A real pity GT Juniors don't stand a chance against the 2 litre Beemers.
They look a bit fragile and tiny, but with a big 8 in they're rather competitive
Compared with the current Cobra reps for the streets an original one looks more feminine . . .
. . . and even the brutal hardtops have a more refined touch. The sound amazing though!
If I'm right this is a small block hi-revving baby . . .
Some more E's. This were not the kind of panned shots I was looking for though, more soon
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (7)
Big Healey's: they grow on me.
A real pity GT Juniors don't stand a chance against the 2 litre Beemers.
They look a bit fragile and tiny, but with a big 8 in they're rather competitive
Compared with the current Cobra reps for the streets an original one looks more feminine . . .
. . . and even the brutal hardtops have a more refined touch. The sound amazing though!
If I'm right this is a small block hi-revving baby . . .
Some more E's. This were not the kind of panned shots I was looking for though, more soon
OK, that's sorted then Jon 
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (8)
The 904 is one of the best looking Porkers ever.
Quite a contrast with this big grey box holding a massive 8 . . . thundering. Nice to see them on stands - changing brakes or whatever - next to a tiny Lotus in parts . . .
Classic . . . but no match for the T70's: both in looks, sound and performance.
Another Cobra hardtop, look at those big tires.
The closed paddock holding the CanAms and the classic F1's . . .
. . . and suddenly I stood eye to eye with this uber aura'd gorgeous :shiver:
And all of a sudden a GT40 is a comforting looking car.
Don't get fooled here
My favourite brand, untill I stopped 6 years ago. It took me five shots to get this one at La Source . . . More of that later.
Fabulous Chevrons are circuit-animals. With those 2 litre Beemers in they are the flies around the big guys . . .
Enjoy, again.
Dink.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (8)
The 904 is one of the best looking Porkers ever.
Quite a contrast with this big grey box holding a massive 8 . . . thundering. Nice to see them on stands - changing brakes or whatever - next to a tiny Lotus in parts . . .
Classic . . . but no match for the T70's: both in looks, sound and performance.
Another Cobra hardtop, look at those big tires.
The closed paddock holding the CanAms and the classic F1's . . .
. . . and suddenly I stood eye to eye with this uber aura'd gorgeous :shiver:
And all of a sudden a GT40 is a comforting looking car.
Don't get fooled here
My favourite brand, untill I stopped 6 years ago. It took me five shots to get this one at La Source . . . More of that later.
Fabulous Chevrons are circuit-animals. With those 2 litre Beemers in they are the flies around the big guys . . .
Enjoy, again.
Dink.
GTRene said:
[quote=jellison]. . . .but I don't think "normal" public have a chance to walk in the pitbox?
GTRene
GTRene
Nope, but I just tried and got the press-permit for sunday . . . by just asking
No one of the guys that were send back by the officials believed me
I just asked ffs! Gift of the gob I guess . . .
Healey-meister (Phil: JigSaw Nige right?). . . that was a nice 45 mins (a Tommy Cooperish moment in a relaxed way). I'll tell the story in a next episode.
I've done some more CanAms and historic F1's for tonights episode . . . Oh, they're so bloody gorgeous.
Edited by dinkel on Wednesday 11th October 13:16
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (9)
Olala, a Lola:
The only Macca around was this Dodkins bros '71 M8E 80-03 with the Chevy 5.8 and Lucas injection, Brodix, Vertex mag; Hewland LG600 . . . which was a bit messy. Richard is sorting the box out here and worked all through the night to get the car right for next afternoons race.
When Phil and I walked the paddocks, saturday at midnight after the six hourrace, they were trying to get the cogs back in . . . Some more at speed in the hairpin later.
How on earth can CanAm stuff get so boring . . . you'll fall asleep. Mechanics were all grinning when I took this one.
Dropdead gorgeous Abarth. When it comes down to making choices I'd have one of these or the TZ . . .
Coventry Climax mills look the bits.
The Chevron cars are really wonderfull and elegant and their Beemer fours sound fierce like nothing else.
And then all of a sudden a short shriek followed by an immense roomfilling sound: DFV at startup and at idle:
There's really no way to describe the amazing feeling of ecstasy and emotion being at touching distance of legends like these F1's. The cars of my heroes Ronnie Peterson, John Watson, Mario Andretti, Alan jones and Keke Rosberg firing up and revving with an openness I've never heard from any other engine. It's like you can see through the V8, it's sounding so damn transparent. It's too loud to stand for more than a few secs BTW . . .
Panshots from just after getting La Source right:
MGB's were surprisingly steady through the hairpin . . .
. . . unlike the E-type Jag's who were apparently quite a handfull to aim right for the straight . . .
. . . Stang GT350: loud beasts they are . . .
. . . and a Cobra hardtop again.
Olala, a Lola:
The only Macca around was this Dodkins bros '71 M8E 80-03 with the Chevy 5.8 and Lucas injection, Brodix, Vertex mag; Hewland LG600 . . . which was a bit messy. Richard is sorting the box out here and worked all through the night to get the car right for next afternoons race.
When Phil and I walked the paddocks, saturday at midnight after the six hourrace, they were trying to get the cogs back in . . . Some more at speed in the hairpin later.
How on earth can CanAm stuff get so boring . . . you'll fall asleep. Mechanics were all grinning when I took this one.
Dropdead gorgeous Abarth. When it comes down to making choices I'd have one of these or the TZ . . .
Coventry Climax mills look the bits.
The Chevron cars are really wonderfull and elegant and their Beemer fours sound fierce like nothing else.
And then all of a sudden a short shriek followed by an immense roomfilling sound: DFV at startup and at idle:
There's really no way to describe the amazing feeling of ecstasy and emotion being at touching distance of legends like these F1's. The cars of my heroes Ronnie Peterson, John Watson, Mario Andretti, Alan jones and Keke Rosberg firing up and revving with an openness I've never heard from any other engine. It's like you can see through the V8, it's sounding so damn transparent. It's too loud to stand for more than a few secs BTW . . .
Panshots from just after getting La Source right:
MGB's were surprisingly steady through the hairpin . . .
. . . unlike the E-type Jag's who were apparently quite a handfull to aim right for the straight . . .
. . . Stang GT350: loud beasts they are . . .
. . . and a Cobra hardtop again.
BossCerbera said:
I don't know how Albert is picking from his 700+ photos...
Still 500+ to go.
Dink's Spa Classic Car Racing blog (10)
In the 'forbidden' La Source zone I caught some hard braking wheels:
Datsun 240Z enjoying the track: outrunning some TVR's . . .
That may well be so, but in the looks compartement it's no contest.
Fast, very fast Tiger . . .
Gorgeous E braking hard . . .
Noisy Vette braking hard . . .
Beemer braking hard . . .
. . . all turning in for the hairpin . . . Like this wild Stang here.
I think this is the qualification for one of sunday's races. I've got an excellent close up of that Stang in the pitlane (pitpass
) with lots of smoke coming from under the car. The mechanics looked but didn't find where it came from so the car raced on and even finished. The good thing of this event is to be really close with the cars and the drivers and the teams and the track. Man, did I have a wonderfull weekend.
:knot in tie: I'll setup a convoy-to-Spa-topic a month before Spa6Hrs'07
That orange #92 Tiger is not THE fast Tiger - the ultra-quick Team Tiger car is orange, #81 with a black stripe.BossCerbera said:
I think it's an M1B. It's definitely a small block. There were two M1Bs at Spa.
Right!
"La convivialité fut de mise chez les propriétaires! Richard Dodkins me laissa prendre place au volant de sa McLaren M1B. Ce volant est d’ailleurs disponible pour la course au Castellet dans deux semaines. Avis aux amateurs!"
Err, right
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff