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A few weeks after the announcement of the big return of Touring cars to Spa-Francorchamps during the 3rd Spa-Classic (24-26 May), competitors with eligible cars (including some which participated in the 24 Hours at the time) have shown great interest in reviving this glorious tradition.
For this retrospective, with one race by-day and one race by-night, many have already entered the pre-66, less than 2 litre category (T1) and the “all class” until 1984 category (T2).
Already well represented at the time on the famous Ardennes toboggan, the Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 forms the frame of the T1 grid with GTA (photo) and Sprint versions. To try to resist the Italian supremacy, Ford Cortina GT, BMW 1800 Tisa, Morris Cooper S and an extremely rare Isuzu Bellett, first model of the Japanese brand imported in Europe, which emerged from anonymity on the day when Bruce McLaren drove it at Goodwood on a certain Easter Monday in 1965.
The second grid (T2) boasts a great many BMWs; 3.0 CSL, 2002 Ti, 528i, 635 Gr 4 and a CSL Luigi Gr 2. A total of nine models for the Munich brand which holds the record of twenty-one victories at the Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours. They will once again affront their rivals of the time beginning with their German Mercedes Benz 350 SLC cousins. But also Ford Capri 2600 RS, Mustang, Falcon, Escort 1600 RS and other Americans such as the Plymouth Hemicuda.
As the entries are still open, other models(*) are awaited to complete these two grids. Undoubtedly, the return of Touring cars to Spa-Francorchamps promises a grand show which will carry on until the early hours and illuminate the legendary Eau Rouge Raidillon, La Source and the winding Combes, Malmedy and Stavelot portions.
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