Featuring more than fifty entries, the Spa Rally Classic promised to be an exciting event to follow over the first two loops of this Saturday’s stage. And regularity fans were not disappointed! In spite of the many obstacles along the course, which had been soiled by the BRC competitors, Yves Deflandre and Baptiste Gengoux (Porsche 911) did justice to their position as favourites in VHRS 65, taking the lead from RT1 at Renouprez, before confirming their position for the rest of the day and holding on to the lead early in the evening on their final return to Spa
However, the pair in the famous orange Porsche will have to keep a close eye on Benoit Verlinde and Jens Vanoverschelde (Volkswagen Golf II), who spent a long time in third place before edging out Pierre Louys and Dominique Lejeune (MG B GT V8) after the second run through Bruyères. On Saturday evening, the Golf crew was 31.02 points behind Deflandre and Gengoux. A promising scenario…
Trailing the top 3 were the Ford Escort Mk1 of Michael Bartholemy and Patrick Lienne (133.78 pts), the Porsche 924 of Sam De Wolf and Julie Cole (150.37 pts) and the first-generation Volkswagen Golf of René Georges and Romain Lahaye (174.64 pts). So much to look forward to! However, it was a bad day for Benoit Scheen and Colin Barvaux (Ford Escort Mk2), who nevertheless climbed back up to 8th position, as well as Alain Lamberty and Frank Frankenberg (Opel Ascona B), who dropped precious points as the day wore on
In the VHRS 50 class, the battle of the leaders was impressive, with Alain Dominiczak and Julien Libioul (Triumph Dolomite Sprint) in the driving seat before handing over to Michel Thibaut and Philippe Verpoorten (Mazda 323 GTX Turbo). After the cancellation of two problematic RT’s, the latter remained on top, ahead of the Porsche 912 of Felix Jacobs and Roberto Conego, who conceded 7.08 points, and the second Mazda 323 of the Thibaut family, this time with Gilles accompanied by François Souka, who were 2.69 points behind! A fierce battle lies ahead…
The Spa Rally Classic continues this Sunday, and this time competitors in VHRS 65 and VHRS 50 will be competing over the entire course, which includes the RT’s of Trois-Ponts (three times) and Chevron (twice). Place your bets!