Hugues Vanhoolandt at the Spa Classics

The undisputed star of this field, this Porsche 917 finished second in the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona and won the 1970 Spa 1000 km.

Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

Since 2011, Spa Classic has been the unmissable spring event (May 22-24) for historic racing enthusiasts at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The other historic event on the Spa calendar is the well-established 6 Hours of Spa Historic, held at the end of September each year. Spa Classic is now part of the new Le Mans Classic Series, culminating in the next edition of Le Mans Classic this July.

As every year, Spa Classic continues to evolve in response to the demands of its customers, the gentlemen drivers who fill the starting grids. 2026 will see the introduction of the Historic Touring 2 series, dedicated to touring cars from 1982 to 1992. Another new addition is the GT3 Revival Series, bringing together first and second generation GT3 cars, from 2006 to 2013.
However, there will be no Group C series this year.

Let’s now take a brief look at each series visually.

Classic Endurance Racing 1

This display features cars that competed in the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1966 and 1974.

Unfortunately, his performance ended in smoke during Saturday’s qualifying session.

Also a retirement for the 1969 Porsche 908-029 LH.

The highest-ranked Porsche was the 1971 Porsche 908/03/002, which finished 7th behind six Lola T70s.

A regular on this grid, the Ford GT40 P/1017 driven at Le Mans 1966 by Jochen Rindt and Innes Ireland.

The only Italian car entered in CER1, the De Tomaso Pantera Group 4, 20th overall and 1st in its GT1 category.

Classic Endurance Racing 2

The Classic Endurance Racing 2 grid is dedicated to GT and Prototype cars active in endurance racing from the 70s to the early 80s.

We were afraid we wouldn’t see the beautiful 1981 Lancia Beta Montecarlo Group 5 again after that plume of smoke during Saturday morning’s qualifying session…

Fortunately, it was repaired for Sunday’s race where it finished the one-hour race in 7th position in its GT2 category.

The Ferrari 512 BBLM of German driver Alexander Rittweger is a regular at Spa Classic. But this time, his race ended after just one lap.

A slightly chaotic start at the La Source hairpin for the 1975 Ligier JS2 of Belgian collector Olivier Breittmayer.

Endurance Racing Legends 1

The Endurance Racing Legends grid features the latest endurance cars, GTs and Prototypes from the 90s and 2000s. The first grid is reserved for Prototypes and GT1s.

In this grid, there were three Maserati MC12s. While they dominated certain endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Spa, they were never allowed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Here is car #11, driven by Kriton Lendoudis, 5th overall and first in the GT1 class.

The MC12 of British dealer Joe Macari, second in the GT1 class in this race.

The MC12 #2 was driven by Alexandre Rittweger, 4th in the GT1 class behind the two other MC12s and an Aston Martin DBR9.

Heritage Touring Cup 1

The Heritage Touring Cup 1 features the cars that made the European Touring Car Championship so successful, from 1966 to 1984.

This period was dominated in particular by the Ford Capri RS 3100, such as those that finished 1st and 2nd at Spa.

These years saw a Ford versus BMW match, the latter represented in particular by the 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL, here the one of the Breittmayers, father or son.

Another example of a BMW 3.0 CSL.

But in the late 60s and early 70s, Alfa Romeo was also at the top of the Touring Car Championship. Here, a 1969 Giulia Sprint GTA.

Three different examples of the 1971 1750 GTAm.

1971 1750 GTAm

Heritage Touring Cup 2

The Heritage Touring Cup 2 continues the history of the European Touring Car Championship when, from 1982, Group A appeared, until the early 90s.

Although it was not originally intended for competition, the Jaguar XJS had its moment of glory, thanks to the efforts of Tom Walkinshaw Racing.

BMW was still in the game, first with the 635 CSi.

Soon to be replaced by the M3, seen here in a livery active at the time in the German DTM championship.

The M3s encountered the Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworth equipped with its characteristic rear wing.

Sixties’ Endurance

The Sixties’ Endurance series is dedicated to pre-1963 sports cars and pre-1966 GTs. It consists of a single two-hour race held at nightfall.

In this field mainly made up of Shelby Cobras, Jaguar E-Types and Porsche 911s, the Rolner/Rolner Ferrari 275 GTB stood out by winning its class.

Among the few Italian cars, only one Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA from 1965.

Despite technical problems, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT of the Hezemans brothers finished the race but in last position, 16 laps behind the winners.

Gentlemen Challenge

The Gentlemen Challenge features two 45-minute races showcasing cars that competed in endurance racing during the 1950s and early 1960s.

A regular participant in historic races organized by Peter Auto, the Aston Martin D2B/4 Bertone Spider of Swiss driver Heinz Stamm.

In action at the Bus Stop chicane, a 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca.

The Bizzarrini 5300 GT of the Germans Hichert and Ebsen finished respectably in 7th and 6th place in the two races.

The Ferrari 250 GT SWB of British driver Kevin Jones.

And that of the Swiss Alexis de Beaumont.

GT3 Revival Series

The GT3 Revival series showcases the recent era of the GT category which, since 2006, has seen GT3s compete in major endurance races such as Le Mans and Spa, but also around the world, making it the most widespread category in the history of motorsport.

Even though Ferrari wasn’t initially convinced by the GT3 concept, the 458 GT3 became one of the most victorious Ferraris in its history. Race 2 even added another victory to its record thanks to Jean-Luc Beaubelique and Jim Pla, who also drove it at the time.