Spa 6 Hour 2024

[delta]

No racing this weekend so catching up on reports.Thought we should get the Spa 6 Hour thread up and running. Myself and MG David will compete for the last time in Gilbert.Its all getting too professional and expensive but we will enjoy our run at Spa. Might look at doing 3 hour or some other endurance races.
Anyway as an aside we did both go to Copenhagen last weekend. David pictured ended up P2 in Class in the Lenham and I as well got P2 in the FJ race.
I was lucky enough to get a last minuet call to drive a Lotus 22 which was great fun.
Best story was me sleeping in Davids new Clam trailer. Thursday night was noisy so Friday evening I closed the trailer just enough to let some air in. About 1 am gust of wind blew up and shut the trailer . 5.30 am and I was thinking Mr and Mrs MG will not appreciate me ringing them to let me out at this hour in the morning. Managed to find a very thin spanner in Davids junk box and slid through and opened up the catch.
So here is my team mate in race mode at the start of the last race.

[Gerard C]

Well done, congratulations to both of you.

[John Elwin]

I thought you had been very quiet!

[Peter Mallett]

Good story and well done both. Agreed the 6hrs is becoming too "professional" now.

[Mike Harte]

Oh, Iain and his stories!

[MGDavid]

Great weekend in Copenhagen and all the better for having Iain's company. The eagle-eyed will have spotted that my eyes are closed in that pic. Now, was I running through the circuit in my mind's eye, or just nodding off waiting for the previous race to finish? You be the judge.
Here's a better pic altogether


edit - oh FGS, can a clever person stand us up please !

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Great weekend in Copenhagen and all the better for having Iain's company. The eagle-eyed will have spotted that my eyes are closed in that pic. Now, was I running through the circuit in my mind's eye, or just nodding off waiting for the previous race to finish? You be the judge.
Here's a better pic altogether
Attachment 81289

edit - oh FGS, can a clever person stand us up please !

Landscape:

[Eddy V]

For those travelling to and from Spa 6 Hour or elsewhere for that matter.
There will be major roadworks on the E40 between Veurne and Oostduikerke.

From the 20th until at least the 28th the outgoing side of the motorway will be completey shut and traffic will be using the inward side, single lane both ways. So expect a lot of traffic problems from the French border to, half way up to Ostend and the other way.

[delta]

Thanks for heads up Eddie . I will go E42 .?

[MartinH]

Originally Posted by delta

Thanks for heads up Eddie . I will go E42 .?

The E42 also has quite a few sections of roadworks, the biggest being just after the Border FRance/Belg. east of Lille !

We passed there @ 9pm Thurs without any big delay, but during normal hours it could be a big hold up as 3 lanes reduce down to 1.

Good luck with your journey, lain & l will see you at Spa.
MartinH

[Eddy V]

Not an easy option this one Iain, normally the 42 yes, but as above mentioned, roadworks as well.
Depending what you're driving, you could go via Poperinge, Ypres and on the E17 at Kortrijk and to Gent.
Exit 13 Steenquerke on the A25 / E42. Problems at Tournai as well on the E42.

[delta]

Many thanks for the heads up

[MartinH]

Originally Posted by Eddy V

Not an easy option this one Iain, normally the 42 yes, but as above mentioned, roadworks as well.
Depending what you're driving, you could go via Poperinge, Ypres and on the E17 at Kortrijk and to Gent.
Exit 13 Steenquerke on the A25 / E42. Problems at Tournai as well on the E42.

I sometimes use this route suggested by Eddy …. It’s a bit slower, but at least you keep moving & can always stop at Ypres for a quick beer & frites, or kwassants if travelling in the morning

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by Eddy V

For those travelling to and from Spa 6 Hour or elsewhere for that matter.
There will be major roadworks on the E40 between Veurne and Oostduikerke.

From the 20th until at least the 28th the outgoing side of the motorway will be completey shut and traffic will be using the inward side, single lane both ways. So expect a lot of traffic problems from the French border to, half way up to Ostend and the other way.

Should we expect it to be fairly clear and OK at 11.30 at night?

[MartinH]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Should we expect it to be fairly clear and OK at 11.30 at night?

E42 down to Lille avoids the works Eddy is talking about & the rest of the roadworks west-of Lille should be quiet at that time of the evening.

Bon voyage.

[Gerard C]

A little piece of lexique, just in case: when you say Lille some road signs may show RIJSEL.
@ Martin: pistolets… Bon voyage and good race all!

[MartinH]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

A little piece of lexique, just in case: when you say Lille some road signs may show RIJSEL.
@ Martin: pistolets… Bon voyage and good race all!

Oh yes & a good few others as well : Luttich, Gand, Amel etc.

Pre sat-nav journeys around Belgium were always a challenge with names changing from french to flemish & back again, not to mention the ‘ost kanton’ german speaking area just south of Spa, where the locals will still climb up the 5m high motorway sign supports to paint over the french names with thick grey paint !!

The only more confusing place is Luxembourg ! How you get Fels from Larochette or Nidderkäerjéng from Bascherage l will never understand !

Now back on theme - good journey to all attending the 6hr meeting at Spa !

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by MartinH

E42 down to Lille avoids the works Eddy is talking about & the rest of the roadworks west-of Lille should be quiet at that time of the evening.

Bon voyage.

Thanks, but should have said we usually overnight at Drongen along with the Polish vans. Good shop too with a better range of deli than I can get here!

[ridaow]

Safe journey David. I'm taking the Galaxie over during the day on Tuesday - along the E42 and braving all the roadworks cited above.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Should we expect it to be fairly clear and OK at 11.30 at night?

A few years ago I was doing a lot of driving around Europe .One thing that was strange was late on Friday evenings in France there would often be very large amounts of traffic , often through past midnight .
Possibly more in the southern half of France when people would finish work on Friday , then head off later for " La Weekend ".

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Tel 911S

A few years ago I was doing a lot of driving around Europe .One thing that was strange was late on Friday evenings in France there would often be very large amounts of traffic , often through past midnight .
Possibly more in the southern half of France when people would finish work on Friday , then head off later for " La Weekend ".

Another strange one . In Belgium there used to be a restriction on HGVs over the weekends .
I was doing a rally in East Belgium , near the Spa area .
Finished the event Sunday evening , went to presentation , loaded up and set off for home .
Didn,t notice the time , but it must have been midnight . Got on the E40 , [ I think], building up speed with van, trailer , rally car and all , when the mirrors were full of lights ..
Loads of trucks , must have been waiting at German border , at midnight set off and foot down .
Quite amazing to be passed by dozens of trucks , all going a lot quicker than I could manage with van and trailer .

[delta]

Not long now . Get through Castle Combe which I always enjoy . Nothing to steer but I shall enjoy running HRTR5 Elva MK5 . Then getting ferry Harridge too Hook of Holland overnight Tuesday . Will look on the phone and see what best route is going to be . Gilbert ready with rebuilt engine so me and Dave hoping to smash the 3 min barrier .?. Serious we just need a good result and enjoyable race . Most likely last time for us . Very expensive and two professional . We need Gilbert in one piece as Mary will do track day Sunday . Really looking forward to that .?

[Gerard C]

Have fun there and take care, already nineteen GT40's listed and many pro drivers.

[delta]

Guess its the sign of the times. There was always a lot of banter on here re the 6 Hour. Hoping to run around 3 min 15 this year.

[Gerard C]

3'15" with Gilbert? Close to your best ever driving an MG B then. Challenge.