Report and Gallery: Super Spa 2023

Super Spa ‘Not All Heroes Wear Capes’ was held for the second year in a row at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit at the beginning of October. The public enjoyed a number of interesting races accompanied by pleasant late summer weather conditions. We focus on the historic series that were present over the weekend.

Fans of historic Formula 3 cars, Formula Fords and Opel Lotus cars could enjoy the presence of the AvD Historic Race Cup from Germany for their closing races of the year. In addition to the overall championship title, it also had to be determined who could be crowned champion in the various classes. Qualifying took place on Saturday followed by both championship deciding races on Sunday. In particular, the fight in the German Open Class between historic F3 cars promised a lot.

Immediately after the start, an interesting battle commenced between pole sitter Valerio Leone from Italy and Frenchman Stephane Lechine. As soon as the lights changed from red to green, both of them swapped positions every single lap. At a certain point Lechine missed his braking point at the chicane. A better set up and more consumed tires gave Leone the possibility to open up a gap towards his French rival. After nine laps, the Monaco-based Italian’s lead was almost three seconds and he claimed his first victory of the weekend. Lechine had to settle for second place. At that point it was Roberto Cocciarelli who claimed the overall title in the AvD Historic Race Cup by winning the German Open 6 class in his Swift DB2 prematurely.

The second race of the weekend decided the championship in the German Open 1 Class between Leone and Lechine. The difference in points with just one race to go on Sunday afternoon was only 1 point in Leone’s favour and the race appeared to be a copy of the first one.

Although Lechine initially took the lead, Leone seemed to have the faster car, especially in the middle part of the circuit. The experienced historic Formula 3 driver then opened up another gap and did not relinquish the leading position. His victory also meant the championship title in the German Open 1 class. Lechine scored another 2nd place in front of Ralf Goral who also won the Formula Opel race.

Besides the AvD Historic Race Cup, the Spa Ardennes Challenge was also held. This is a genuine automotive challenge and is open to classic sports cars, GTs, touring, and saloon cars manufactured during the ’60s and ’80s. Three races of the Spa Ardennes Challenge were held during the weekend.

During the first race Andy Lambert and Phil James fought a great battle with their RAM Cobra 427SC and the superfast Lotus Elan of Paul Tooms. What no one had taken into account was the much faster Mazda RX7 from Taylor and Absolom, who started the race from the pit lane. Every lap the rotary powered RX7 came rapidly closer and in no time Taylor and Absolom had joined forces in the top three.

The Cobra couldn’t match that pace which gave way for the very fast RX7. Despite frantic efforts by the fast RX7, Tooms managed to keep a cool head and took the victory with a difference of only 0.710 of a second. James Hughes completed the podium. The second and third race were dominated by Taylor and Absolom’s RX7. No one from the competition had an answer to the speed of both men.

Roadbook already announced the third edition for Super Spa, scheduled for October 2024. We are eagerly counting down the days!