Spa Classic 2019

Long established as France’s premier historic racing organisation, Peter Auto is now quickly becoming regarded as the world leader in historic racing promotion and organisation. They seek to push an agenda heavy on detailed eligibility scrutineering and are yielding full, and in some cases, oversubscribed grids as a result.

Over the weekend of the 17th to the 19th May, the Peter Auto circus moved to Spa Francorchamps, Belgium. This event making up the 2nd round for its series of Championships. The challenging circuit and typically uncertain weather always makes for exciting racing.

Both DK’s Acquisition Consultants were driving at the prestigious event, James Cottingham was in the firm’s Dallara SP1 (LMP1) a three-time Le Mans Competitor. The sounds of its shrieking V10 Engine echoing through the Ardennes forest. A treacherously wet qualifying session saw James start Race 1 from 2nd on the grid.

Race one saw the pole sitter in his 333SP get caught out on cold tyres spinning across the sausage kerbs on the out lap meaning he was unable to start. As the lights went green a rather excitable French man jumped the start in his Saleen and did his best to run James off the road; but he was soon despatched and James came home with a comfortable win overall. Race two was much the same with a couple of jump starters soon being passed on the first lap for James to win by over a minute. The extremely strong grid, especially for GT cars, created quite the sight and shows excellent potential for the future of his series which looks to have an extremely strong future.

Harvey was contesting the second round of the exciting “2 Litre Cup” Championship alongside client Richard Cook in his almost concours condition 901. This new series saw 40 identical specification SWB 911s in a 90 Minute pit stop race. Three classes for elite, gentleman and mixed driver gradings creates close racing throughout the field.

Harvey and Richard qualified 4th Overall with a significant advantage over the next car in their class. Sure enough, Sunday’s race was started under tricky damp conditions which saw the pole sitter in the barriers at Les Coombe as well as a coming together further down the field. A stellar drive by Richard saw two overtakes into Eau Rouge meaning that by the time the car was handed over to Harvey there was little for him to do other bring the car come comfortably in the lead of the class and a very commendable 4th Overall, especially considering the calibre and experience of those drivers ahead.

Off the track itself, these meetings continue to provide value to DK as an opportunity to promote our quite unique ability to service clients every need. In the current market, Competition cars are proving in high demand and it’s pleasing to see so many previously DK supplied cars delivering trophies at these events for their new owners. With first-hand experience competing in these events and in the complexities of running historic race cars, we are in a fortunate position to offer the best advice to a new or established competitor.