The subtitle of the Spa Six Hours is: ‘The sound of history’; here is ‘The look of history’. Black-and-white photographs allow the history – and, above all, the atmosphere – to be visualised even more effectively.
Although the Spa-Francorchamps circuit has been extensively modernised over recent years – not only in terms of the track itself, but also the buildings, such as the grandstands, which are all new and contemporary – The latest addition is a tower situated just before the famous Eau Rouge, at the end of the still-original pit lane. Gleaming silver, this tower, with its several ‘balconies’, offers a fantastic view of the circuit and the paddock. There is also a bridge over the track from which you can take some rather good photographs.
Despite all this, Spa Francorchamps still exudes the spirit of motorsport history. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly why I always perceive it that way. Black-and-white photographs, of course, are the perfect match for this atmosphere.
That’s why I’ve converted some of the photos from the Six Hours weekend into black and white – the look of a bygone era that is, however, brought back to life time and again through historic motorsport. When the Ford GT40, the Formula Junior or a Lotus Cortina wind their way up the Raidillon, with their eyes fixed on the sky ahead, it’s almost like being back in the golden age of motorsport, with magnificent races and drivers who all mastered this daring bend with flying colours.
The character of the circuit is still the same as it was many years ago, even though the track has been significantly shortened and is therefore less dangerous. This constant alternation between uphill and downhill sections is undoubtedly a constant challenge for the drivers, one they must master lap after lap. I believe, however, that it is also hugely satisfying when you manage to set a perfect lap on the tarmac. Perhaps that’s also why the six-hour race is so popular with drivers, with former Formula 1 drivers taking part time and again. Gerhard Berger, Martin Brundle and Dario Franchitti were just a few of those who took part. I very much hope that this wonderful event remains part of the calendar for many years to come and that I can be there with my camera.
Here, then, are all the photos in classic black and white – the ‘Look of History’.
