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Post by René on Apr 26, 2023 10:37:02 GMT
 The prototypes are coming to Spa this weekend. I can almost hear them already! I'm really looking forward to seeing them in action again because it's been a few years since I last saw them in real life. And of course now extra to see the Ferrari factory team at work. Really very special.  50 years ago, Ickx and Redman take victory at the 1973 Spa 1000km in the Ferrari 312PBToyota is of course still a favourite, but it is Ferrari in particular that has really taken big steps. So little experience in this class, both for the team and the drivers, and yet so close behind Toyota. A first victory for the reds would of course be very special. I hope so anyway. The race is on Saturday so I can just watch the F1 Grand Prix on Sunday!   |
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Post by chrisb on Apr 26, 2023 14:32:55 GMT
I hope I will be able to find somewhere to watch this - it looks really awesome - best sports prototypes for years on the best European circuit - what a wonderful combination, I would love to see the Peugeot do really well as it is quite remarkable but failing that I am going for the Porsche
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Post by René on Apr 26, 2023 16:07:35 GMT
I hope I will be able to find somewhere to watch this - it looks really awesome - best sports prototypes for years on the best European circuit - what a wonderful combination, I would love to see the Peugeot do really well as it is quite remarkable but failing that I am going for the Porsche If you have a tablet or smartphone, you could download the WEC app (search for FIA WEC TV in the app store). I’ve done it myself and it works perfectly. You can pay for the entire season (about €30) or per race which is about €7. You can cast it to your tv screen. Picture quality and English commentary is very good. |
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Post by Carl on Apr 26, 2023 19:12:58 GMT
The prototypes are coming to Spa this weekend. I can almost hear them already! I'm really looking forward to seeing them in action again because it's been a few years since I last saw them in real life. And of course now extra to see the Ferrari factory team at work. Really very special. 50 years ago, Ickx and Redman take victory at the 1973 Spa 1000km in the Ferrari 312PBToyota is of course still a favourite, but it is Ferrari in particular that has really taken big steps. So little experience in this class, both for the team and the drivers, and yet so close behind Toyota. A first victory for the reds would of course be very special. I hope so anyway. The race is on Saturday so I can just watch the F1 Grand Prix on Sunday! Have a wonderful time! If all doesn't go well, close your eyes and imagine Ickx / Redman and Peterson / Schenken
If you have time when all is quiet, try to find the original short section at Eau Rouge which used a looping hairpin to gain altitude, similar to the mountain passes in Italy.
The Ancienne Douane sticks out like a sore thumb before the Kemmel Straight
Italy's Stelvio Pass 
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Post by robmarsh on Apr 27, 2023 7:39:17 GMT
Enjoy Rene, I loved that 1973 312PB in the short race configuration. I thought the Le Mans car with the extra headlamps in the front looked a bit amateurish.
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Post by René on Apr 27, 2023 9:47:58 GMT
The prototypes are coming to Spa this weekend. I can almost hear them already! I'm really looking forward to seeing them in action again because it's been a few years since I last saw them in real life. And of course now extra to see the Ferrari factory team at work. Really very special. 50 years ago, Ickx and Redman take victory at the 1973 Spa 1000km in the Ferrari 312PBToyota is of course still a favourite, but it is Ferrari in particular that has really taken big steps. So little experience in this class, both for the team and the drivers, and yet so close behind Toyota. A first victory for the reds would of course be very special. I hope so anyway. The race is on Saturday so I can just watch the F1 Grand Prix on Sunday! Have a wonderful time! If all doesn't go well, close your eyes and imagine Ickx / Redman and Peterson / Schenken
If you have time when all is quiet, try to find the original short section at Eau Rouge which used a looping hairpin to gain altitude, similar to the mountain passes in Italy.
The Ancienne Douane sticks out like a sore thumb before the Kemmel Straight
Carl, I don't know if it's accessible from the circuit. You will probably need to go all the way round to get there. I did find these photos from the l'Ancienne Douane from a guy who tried to follow the old circuit.   |
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Post by mikael on Apr 28, 2023 16:27:32 GMT
Enjoy, René :-) It will be a great experience - without a doubt!
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Post by René on Apr 28, 2023 16:47:05 GMT
Thanks guys! It will be great I'm sure. And almost... almost another Ferrari pole today. Giovinazzi in the #51 Ferrari had it in the end but it was taken away from him because of track limits. A bit harsh to be honest but rules are rules. And the other Ferrari was even faster by quite a margin but was held up by a Porsche! Now it's the Toyota of Kobayashi who starts from pole but the Ferraris were the fastest cars so that bodes well for tomorrow!  |
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Post by René on Apr 28, 2023 18:06:14 GMT
Porsche will go psychedelic again for Le Mans!  |
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Post by mikael on Apr 28, 2023 20:49:40 GMT
A nice touch with the pink, green and blue parts :-)
And not to forget, the orange and baby blue ...
... and the read and white ...
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Post by mikael on Apr 28, 2023 21:15:41 GMT
By the way, as I understand it, the Gulf Porsche's were, similarly to the Gulf Ford GT40's, not Porsche's factory entry, but run by John Wyer's team, JWA (John Wyer Automotive).
Curiously, the famous "Le Mans" movie of 1970 try to make it appear as if it's Porsche's factory team, with the team boss having a "thick" German accent.
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Post by René on Apr 29, 2023 10:16:35 GMT
Goodmorning from a chilly Spa! Attachments:
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Post by chrisb on Apr 29, 2023 14:37:44 GMT
good afternoon Rene, hope you are having a wonderful time, am watching it on Eursport and it certainly is entertaining! sadly watched Jacques getting punted off and yet another safety car,
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Post by Carl on Apr 29, 2023 17:06:54 GMT
good afternoon Rene, hope you are having a wonderful time, am watching it on Eursport and it certainly is entertaining! sadly watched Jacques getting punted off and yet another safety car, Jacques Villeneuve was punted off?
By chance, was the punter Mick Schumacher seeking revenge for Jerez 1997 on behalf of his father? |
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Post by René on Apr 29, 2023 19:53:56 GMT
The weather wasn’t the best and the race was chaotic at times but it was fantastic nonetheless! Be a Ferrari fan or not but the fact that they’re back as a works team in this class makes so much difference. Many Ferrari caps and flags could be seen, the red motorhome with the prancing horse in the paddock and much larger crowds gives the series a real boost. Tomorrow I will post a photo selection of the day and Carl, I walked the l’Ancienne Douane! |
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