Spa-Francorchamps the best race track in the world?

Well there are many Formula 1 driver who would agree and in my humble opinion, it is certainly true. Brands Hatch GP circuit, Suzuka in Japan and Dijon in France come close for me, but the majestic setting and almost spiritual feel about Spa means it stands above all others.

The Mini Challenges first raced there in 1994, and that is one of my most memorable race meetings. It was a happy hunting ground and I won twice in 9 attempts before it was dropped from the calendar for 2003 due to increasing costs. However, the Belgians were keen to have us back and for 2006 we had two races to relish!

We went there feeling that everything possible had been done. In addition to all the normal checks we went to Southern Carbs and Injection for a run on the rolling road. As usual David found us a couple of bhp, and we left content that the very best possible had been extracted from the engine. We also sent the dampers back to Sportsline Suspension. We use Koni double adjustable gas pressurised units and these were pressure checked and dyno'd and given a clean bill of health. The rear anti roll bar was now three years old, and this was 'refreshed' with a new length of T45 tube. We also had a new steering rack, track rod ends and balljoints.

So, under dark skies qualifying got underway, and I was mindful of setting a good time early. Spa is notorious for the speed of changes in weather and I feared it could pour down at any time. Andy had treated the front screen with RainX and this did its job as usual keeping the screen clear of the gentle precipitation that persisted throughout. My third lap was good enough for pole, but with a second quick lap required for race two I continued to press. The car was simple fantastic. The turn in was razor sharp and the grip levels consistent and encouraging. The car was riding the curbs well and I was able to push really hard. The new bus stop chicane was a disappointment - all the trees in the vicinity have gone and it is a bland example of new style race tracks slapped on the face of a masterpiece. Graffiti on a Monet?

Anyway enough moaning - I was on pole and there was nothing much needing doing on the car. Time to light the barbeque, open a few beers (I didn't have one myself of course) and soak up the atmosphere. The threatened rain came to nothing and an evening walk around the 4.3 mile track served only to deepen the respect for the place.

Come Saturday afternoon and I lead the field to the grid. Looking down the hill into Eau Rouge is a fine sight and I was keen to get underway. As the red lights went out Kelly Rogers and I got away side by side and ran the first part of Eau Rouge side by side before I squeezed ahead and settled into the lead. Over the brow and onto the long drag up to Les Combes the field fanned out beside me and we ran four abreast into the braking area! My inside line gave me the advantage and I held the lead for the rest of the lap. Second time out of Eau Rouge and the tow really came into effect and 1st became 4th as I was powerless to resist cars passing either side on the long straight. As the first three conducted a frenzied battle I fought to keep in touch and as the race wore on I figured it was only a matter of time until something happened. In the end it did, with three cars crashing heavily at the beginning of the final lap. I moved into second position, perfectly position to challenge decisively at the Bus Stop. Here I too was eliminated with extensive crash damage - to call it an injustice is a major understatement. In an instant I'd gone from thinking that the winning move was happening to contemplating an evening trying to patch up a damaged car!

The bad news was that the front subframe was tweaked, and we'd have to put up with that. A front tie bar had broken and the steering arm that side was severely bent. The water and oil radiators were both fatally wounded and there was much damage to the front end and wheel arches. Working patiently and methodically most of the repairs were done my midnight and I was up again at 6am to run a final check over it all. Going to the grid I again took up pole position, wondering how the car would handle and knowing I needed to go flat out from the start to have any chance of winning. Pole allowed me to dictate the pace of the warm up lap, and I did the first half flat out as a rehearsal! Whilst not quite as precise to steer it felt pretty good.

This time I couldn't hold the lead but I was looking good again in third place. Again, I didn't have the pace to force it to the front but I began to expect another incident in front as the last lap started. Unbelievably history did repeat itself and as the two cars disputing the lead collided and spun, I nipped through to nick a fortuitous win. There was a fastest lap of the race to go with it, which was a lap record too. So from a weekend of much and indeed mixed emotions I emerged with a championship position strengthened when that had looked unlikely.

All to play for as we look ahead to Silverstone in 3 weeks, and a fair bit of work to be done, just for a change.

Good job we enjoy it!

Bill Sollis 5.6.06