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Spa-Francorchamps - 13/14 June 2008 - The Masters Series - Top Hat One Hour Endurance Race

Event Report by John Davies Roberts

A fantastic weekend of Motor Racing
& Team Spirit!!

This was truly an exciting race weekend that we thought might turn out otherwise. We arrived at Spa on Thursday afternoon and it was tipping it down with rain. That does not bode well for Spa, as it can be very slippery. But the weather in this part of the world is notoriously unpredictable as it is situated next to the Ardennes Forest. So weather forecasts of “High levels of precipitation” (American style) hung over us for the next few days.

On Friday (the 13th) we had Free Practice in the morning and Qualifying for the race in the afternoon

We had a four car/trailer convoy leaving the UK. CKL in his trusty steed, his ‘Flame Red’ XK120 Roadster, Claire Keith-Lucas with her XK150S (like mine), our new boy from Switzerland, Stefan Zieglar in his LHD Black XK120 Roadster and, me in the XK150S.

Free practice (which is not free of charge of course, it’s just anybody can test their cars), started for me at 10:25 am and it was raining, so I left my ‘Wet’ tyres on and proceeded very gingerly around the circuit. I wasn’t trying to get a best lap, just trying to memorise the race lines around the circuit from last year and staying on the ‘Black Stuff’, which I did.

For the afternoon Qualifying the weather had improved greatly with a dry track. BUT, just as we assembled to take to the circuit it started raining. I was first to the Assembly Area and was first out. So before it started to really pour, I thought I would put in a couple of ‘Hot’ laps. Oh boy, what a joke. I really overcooked it on a number of corners, but just managed to stay out of the ‘Kitty Litter’. I handed the car to CKL to finish things off. We qualified 13th (on the 13th June) with a not too bold a lap time!

The new-look Spa is really a sight to behold. I now call it ‘Multi-Storey’ Spa. What with the new F1 Garages which are truly fantastic and this year was the first time we were able to use the Formula 1 Pit Lanes for Qualifying and the race.

Saturday was race day and, thank goodness, we were in for a dry race. There were a few threatening heavy downpours, but we were lucky. However, I left my wet tyres on the car as I really didn’t trust the elements. This probably didn’t help us but, the race was fantastic. I did the Start, which was a rolling one, but wasn’t that fast off the mark. But my laps times began to fall and I put in some fast banker laps to stay on the pace, but also to leave CKL with enough petrol to finish the race. (It was close though, please read on!)

CKL jumped into the car during our new format driver change. But we have to stay in the car for one minute before leaving the pits. So we installed an Egg Timer, so that we don’t get penalised for leaving too soon. (So we know when the egg has cooked and not the goose, with a corresponding Drive Through Penalty).

Chris had a fantastic race amongst the Jaguars, firstly with his Business Partner Mel Floyd and secondly with John Burton in his XK120 FHC (Fixed Head Coupe). He managed to overhaul Mel but, while chasing Mr. Burton he spun the car at Pouhon curve which is notoriously treacherous as it’s such a fast double-apex corner. (Try using 3rd Gear next time Chris!!)

He restarted and trundled on catching John Burton all the time. And at the end of the race we finished a creditable

2nd in The Jaguar XK Class!!.....

….with CKL and Mel in the 120 and John Burton all struggling with the last remnants of fuel in their respective tanks, thus giving rise to fuel surge for all of us at different parts of this very fast (and obviously thirsty) circuit. Checking the fuel afterwards the car was absolutley ‘on empty’. But what a race! I was ecstatic.

And what is more, we believe that we have truly eliminated our continual misfire, thanks to Nicky Swift at Swiftune!! Thanks also go to Dave my CKL Mechanic who looked after me during the weekend.

We will be back racing in the UK again on the 2nd August at Castle Combe.

Look out for us and the Motor Wheel Service Marquee in the Paddock.

John D R