Porsche Days at Spa-Francorchamps

 I get there through my usual entry point entry behind the “raidillon”, not to many people know about it so there’s actually nobody there and consequently no parking to be paid…

It’s 10.30am, they’re driving already! Several superb GT3 RS which don’t seem to be there to brag about themselves they put me directly into the atmosphere of this race environment… A few shots from the “raidillon”, they’re not any good, I knew it… I have to change place, I’m off towards the Paddock!

Here’s where the show is! Some superb machines are waiting for us here, Gt2, Gt3, Cayman S, Carrera GT and of course older Porsches, they’re absolutely all over the place… It’s the Porsche Days! On the move, I’m off to by the parking space to get you some detailed shots and then I’m on the move again this time I’m off for the F1 stands, less crowded! Suddenly the series are interrupted, there has been an accident. I see my colleagues leaving with the pickup, have fun boys! (I’m a track Marshall) I’ve found the best spot, the cars leave the track by the F1 stands, it’s really the spot to be able to see what running on the track…

Three Cayenne… It’s too much! I cannot hold myself from expressing my total disapproval with certain remarks regarding the actions of their drivers… Their place is absolutely not on the track, as powerful as they are these heavy machines, the centre of gravity nearly higher

than the highest point of a normal Porsche; they do not belong on this circuit! The car that broke down has been removed; it’s already time to set out again. Lots of people on the track, undoubtedly they’re not at ease, there too many people on the run, with very different levels of driving skills… As always in this kind of events for a lot of them it is the only and single track day. With cars of this price one can understand that an inexperienced driver is not ready to take risks, so they lag behind but what a pity for the show!

Especially with these mobile and hesitant chicanes which prevent those who are there to go through them full speed… Usually I spend a lot of time on the outer side of the pin “la source”, a very tight corner where drivers usually exit with light sideslips for the fans of time trial races, which is total contras with the ones who are there to put on a show… Nothing is going on… not even the slightest hint of sideslips or even the least run in a fast ‘aggressive’ style… Five minutes later I went down to the 24hr stands again… I witness some fast runs through these stands, which are used for endurance races and for great demonstrations such as the one today. It’s always impressive to see these cars passing flat-out, at more than 130Mph within one meter from you, separated only by this thin wall… I decide, after one more quick run through the car park, to go up to “Brussels” this always impressive turn, considering the number of cars on track, I should be able to take a few technically-risky shots, there lots of subjects, missing out on a shot just by looking what’s out there isn’t that serious!

I take my car to go directly on the “Les Combes” spot … Going there on foot is a bit too long… Unfortunately the gate is not open at this place… Some tourists are there, looking through the gate bars disappointed to not be able to enter… I arrive at the closed gate, I take out the magic key, and off I go, I’m in! That’s one of the advantages of living around here and of working for the track! You can enter in as you enter home… Meanwhile on the track there was a change in the series, less people, more experienced drivers…

That’s better for the show! The show in this turn “Brussels” is always ensured, hard braking in descent, long steep corner in light slope to come out of the turn parallel to the entry and continuing down through the small left before the famous “Double gauche”-double left.. Following for at 30/s with the 100mm, for the connoisseurs, you need to get really into it, moving but not too much ;-) and don’t hesitate to take a lot of them as there will be a lot of wasted ones!

Sadly, it’s the end of the series it’s time for the car parade… It’s the occasion to take some what graphic shots. It’s almost 15h, I haven’t eaten yet, it’s time to go home, the show has been transferred to the car park, on the track there’s nothing left to see…

As usual, an assessment of this kind of event: not much show on track but a lot more on the car park, it’s a good occasion to get these beautiful details shots and the best way to spend a Sunday!

Quentin

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(Thank you Eddie for the correction of my english!)