59th Total 24 Hours of Spa (FIA GT endurance race)

Great racing in the two classes of Ferrari Challenge, GT4 and the 24 Hour race. In GT4, the Cayman and Nissan 350 were really going after each other with the two Maseratis in close tow - lots of cars in that class also including several Astons. We got to the track Friday morning in time to see the tail end of GT practice. The MC-12's are awesome to see running and have a sound of their own just as the DBR9's and Lambos. A definite highlight is to be at this track for something other than F1, our only place of non-access was reserved areas above the new F1 pits - they were for sponsors, clubs, etc., didn't do the grid/pit walk. Night at Spa is undescribable - to watch the lights of the cars going up Raidillon then disappear for a second or so coming thru Combes then down into Pouhon is absolutely awesome. I think we walked just about the entire circuit except for being up at Combes. Hotel accomodations were literally the pits on Saturday night - second row of the grandstand across from AF Corse/Porsche #160/Vitaphone and the Viper provided for about an hours nap - the neighbors were noisy all night long! We were at the chicane about 8:30 pm Saturday when five hot air ballons providing rides ascended from the parking area at the karting track, flew across the heilo pad area and part of the track. We were in the paddock area most of the time and at La Source about 11:30 pm was some of the most beautiful fireworks display I think I've seen. Vitaphone (MC-12 #1 and MC-12 #2) gets an A+ in our book for fan involvement. We spent time in their pits during the race during pit stops and at other times watching T&S on several of their screens. The race engineer who was on two computers and radio everytime we were there sure is a look-alike for Chris Dyer with Ferrari. Scuderia Playteam SaraFree (MC-12 #11 & MC-12 #12) also fan friendly - they had a race simulator set up in their sales tent where you could drive Spa. So many cars that they split the garages - some using the older sports car pits and some using the new F1 pits - Marino's team - the JMB MC-12 #16 was using what will be Alonso's garage in September. The new area is nice - they are still constructing the new stands across from the pits. Sunday morning early provided lots of excitement with the safety car collecting it's share of miles. It was rather sad to see the remains of the #23 DBR9 coming past on the flatbed into what may have been parc-ferme (or whatever they were calling the used car lot). One heck of a hit for the Aston at Blanchimont. All that was on the flatbed was one tire with what appeared to be part of the front suspension, the engine sitting alone and the car minus the driver door and nothing from the firewall forward remaining. Scuderia Ecosse #62 was the first one in the lot but couldn't see too much as it was fully tarped. AF Corse #51 came in after it's encounter with the wall at pit out coming up Raidillon - slightly compressed back end of car. Their other car had a spin early on which ended up damaging the radiator and suspension - when Mika had his turn to drive it he unfortunately only went one lap before retiring the car - it was in it's garage. Corvettes were strong as always. There was great racing between them and the Vitaphone and Sara MC-12's. I have lots of photos and will post in next couple days. Time to walk over to the terminal and head home. Sunny morning here in Brussels.

Carol