24h Spa-Francorchamps through the ages
08/01/2021
Times have changed dramatically. In 1985, I attended the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race for the first time and got to know Gerhard Berger and Charly Lamm personally. Now, 36 years later, I'm back at the same place. Gerhard Berger has long since retired from active racing and Charly Lamm is unfortunately no longer with us.
In 2021, corona-related measures will unfortunately drastically restrict the photographic possibilities. In general, the track has changed a lot. Over the years, it has been transformed from a normal street circuit into a permanent race track. In terms of driving, the uphill and downhill sections are certainly still fascinating, but it is almost impossible to capture this fascination in pictures. The access to the Eau Rouge and the classic bus-stop double chicane, which caused the cars to jump wildly over the curbs, are missing.
While BMW landed a one-two victory 36 years ago with Gerhard Berger, Marc Surer, Roberto Ravaglia and Dieter Quester, Markus Oestreich and Johnny Cecotto in the BMW 635 CSi, the new weapon for the coming years, the M4 GT3 from the Bavarian engine works, was unveiled this weekend. The M6 GT3 will probably make its last major appearance in the Ardennes at this year's endurance classic.
The Super Pole, a shootout with two flying laps per car, took place on Friday evening. Shortly before the start of the final qualifying session, it began to rain lightly, but the conditions still allowed slick tires. The two BMW M6 GT3s took to the track one directly after the other. Van der Linde set a fastest time of 2:18.590 minutes (pole time in 1985 Walkinshaw/Percy/Heyer in the Rover Vitesse 2:41.430), which earned him and his team-mates fifth place on the grid in the closely bunched field.
Directly after the Super Pole, BMW M Motorsport gave a glimpse into the future: the new BMW M4 GT3 completed a few demonstration laps. Timo Glock was at the wheel of the new GT3 flagship, which will be on the grid from 2022.
"I really enjoyed driving the new BMW M4 GT3 here. It was my very first laps in this car, but I have to say that all the hard work that has gone into this race car has really paid off," explained Glock afterwards.
It remains to be seen whether the M4 can continue the great successes of the legendary M3 E30 in touring car racing.
