Gerhard Berger and… a Prince top of the bill!
During the weekend of the 16th, 17th and 18th September the Spa-Francorchamps circuit will be hosting the top of the range historic meeting, namely the Spa Six Hours. A prestigious rendezvous bringing together the best European circuit series, giving prominence to Formula 1, Prototypes, GT and classic Touring cars, with as cherry on the cake the renowned Spa Six Hours race, traditionally held on the Saturday evening, between 15.55hrs and 21.55hrs.
With more than one hundred entrants, and a battle that once again promises to be majestic between the legendary Ford GT40, Shelby Cobra and various Jaguar Type E, the event that has given its name to this weekend dedicated to these classic machines will definitely be worth experiencing again this year. If on the one hand the 12 Ford GT40, the muscle car reference over these last few years, will all be on the grid, the list – provisional – of entrants feature a few names that undoubtedly will excite the curiosity of the general public.
Starting off with that of the Austrian Gerhard Berger, tenfold winner in the Formula 1 World Championship, iconic Ferrari, Benetton and McLaren driver, who at the age of 57 has also decided to succumb to the world of historic races. And there is every chance we will hear a great deal about him, as during the Spa Six Hours he will be sharing the Ford GT40 #16 with the English specialist Richard Meaden, making this duo one of the favourites for overall victory. Even though Berger has never won the Belgian Grand Prix, it is worth remembering that in 1985, he claimed victory in the 24 Hours of Spa together with the Italian Roberto Ravaglia and Swiss driver Marc Surer, in a BMW. Gerhard is familiar with the highest tread of the podium at Francorchamps … You have been warned …
Other personality, of a totally different kind, expected on the grid: Prince Rahim Aga Khan, eldest son of the Aga Khan IV. Married to top model Kendra Spears, Rahim Aga Khan, 44 years old, is a well-known figure among the elite. Aficionado of motorsport, he will for the occasion be at the wheel of the Porsche 911 #43 which he will share no least with the renowned Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille. Fans of the genre will appreciate …
Several weeks after the highly popular Belgian Grand Prix, motorsport’s top discipline will be back in action at Francorchamps, unevenly interwoven. These are in fact the single-seaters dating from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s from the highly official FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship, a competition in which a Belgian driver, Loïc Deman, is clearly laying claim to the title with his Tyrrell 010 formerly driven by the Frenchman Jean-Pierre Jarier and the Irishman Derek Daly. A racing car that has remained famous for having been implicated, no doubt about it, in the legendary pile-up during the start of the 1980 Monaco Grand Prix!
With more than 650 racing machines of yesteryears out on the track throughout the three days, as also the one of a kind unique atmosphere in the paddocks, the Spa Six Hours prevails as the meeting of the year for the clubs and all the enthusiasts, and in particular orchestrated by the FBVA, Fédération Belges des Véhicules Anciens, more than ever active in the lounges of the Eau Rouge, allowing one and all to refuel memories. Ensure you pencil in the 16th, 17th and 18th of September in your diaries, so as not to miss out on a weekend full of ‘nostalgia’ and glorious machinery on the most beautiful circuit in the world …
Text : Official Press Release Spa 6H
Pictures : Vintage Race Photography
