Previewing the Not-to-be-missed Spa Classic 2023

By Marcel Hundscheid / Speed-O-Graphica

One of the annual highlights on the historic motorsports calendar is Peter Auto’s Spa Classic. The 11th edition of this unique event will take place from May 12th to May 14th and will feature a tribute to the touring cars that competed on the circuit until 2000, alongside a packed program of historic motor racing.

The touring cars tribute will feature two Heritage Touring Cup races, one run during daytime and the other during the night. Alongside those will be races for saloons and coupes that raced in the Spa 24 Hours between 1966 and 1984.  Amongst the forty cars that are on the provisional entry list are a BMW 3.0 CSL, BMW 635 CSi, Ford Capri, Ford Escort, Jaguar XJS, Alfa Romeo and more.

Sports cars and prototypes are not forgotten during the three-day event. Classic Endurance Racing 1 represents one of the most mythical periods in endurance racing (1966-1971). With an impressive grid of no less than sixty cars, the heat is on.

Amongst the sports prototypes are the Ford GT40, Porsche 906, 908, 910, Lola T70, T210,  T212, Chevron B16 and B19. The GTs are represented with the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette and Ferrari 365 GTB/4. Classic Endurance Racing 2 features 3-litre sports cars from 1972-1981 and Group 5 GTs from 1975-1981. Nearly forty cars will make their appearance including the Chevron B21, B23, B36, Lola T296, T298, Porsche 934 and 935, BMW M1, Ford Capri Zakspeed Turbo and many more.

Fans of legendary sports prototypes from the period between 1982 and 1993 are treated with the presence of Group C Racing. Manufacturers like Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota wrote history at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the World Sports Car Championship. During the Spa Classic two forty-five-minute races will be held featuring an impressive grid of no less than 32 cars.

Sports cars and GTs from the 1990s and 2000s are gathered into Endurance Racing Legends. With an impressive grid of more than sixty cars, spectators can expect GT1s like the Porsche 911 GT1, Panoz Esperante, Saleen S7R, Ford GT, and the Aston Martin DBR9. Amongst the LMP1 cars are the Audi R8 LMP, Bentley Speed 8, Dome S101, Dallara SP1, Ferrari 333SP and many more. With a vast field of Porsche 993s, 996s and 997s, the field covers the most modern cars competing in circuit events organised by Peter Auto.

At Spa Formula 1 cars from 1987 to 1994 will be presented as a demonstration grid, called Formula Legends 3.5. Cars from the era are equipped with naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engines. Around 10 cars can be seen including the Arrows A11, RIAL ARC2, AGS, Footwork FA14, March 781 and the Leyton House CG901B.

Besides the series mentioned above, the Spa Classic will also host Peter Auto Series like the 2.0L Cup, Fifties Legends, Sixties Endurance and The Greatest Trophy. In the 2.0L Cup short-wheel base early Porsche 911s equipped with 2-litre engines and prepared in accordance with FIA pre-66 regulations are allowed. Around twenty-five cars are mentioned on the provisional entry list.

Fifties Legends is aimed at cars from the 1950s and early 1960s. Pre-63 Sports and Pre-66 GTs are welcomed in Sixties Endurance featuring a 120-minutes race. Finally The Greatest Trophy is open to cars that marked the major endurance events from the 50s and 60s.

We’re looking forward to coverin the action at Peter Auto’s Spa Classic from May 12th to May 14th. Tickets for this not to be missed event can be bought online.