Who followed the development of Italia a Zandvoort feared similarity when it became known in 2013 that the organizers of Spa Italia filed for bankruptcy as well. It took the Dutch from 2006 to 2010 until the event returned, rather reduced, owed to the Kroymans-bust and the marketing-shift of the Factory about European events like the Challenge-Series and the Historic Challenge. This obviously had no impact on the attendance on the coast.
The apprehension, that Spa Italia would only be a bad copy of the past, was clearly nourished by last year's edition. Bad organization, too little space for the Ferrari, which did not show up much, fed the fear. The first impression this year left this feeling again: one lonely 348 was drifting through the infield at 9:30 in Belgium, looking for his sisters, without any marshal present. Once again it was not the „Red parking lot“ that was the ancestral home of the Prancing Horses, nor was it last year’s location above the ancient pits. Far and wide there was nothing to see.
The display of the organization of Spa Italia already showed four Ferrari, dominated by two –non original- 308 GTB Group IV. Come on, Spa Italia, that could not be all! And it should really become the biggest European event in 2015 since Val de Vienne– in and out of the new pits the going-on were well underway! More than 180 Ferrari showed up over the weekend. Despite of poor replicas of a 500 Mondial –not one part on the car is of Ferrari origin- and a 196 S based on a FIAT Dino Spider the „historic section“ started with a few Dinos and early 308s. What a friend from Paris recently said, became true „Matthias, the higher the prices of our cars, the less we drive it“. This is where the appreciation of value bits – no Ferrari older than 30 years of age. Bummer!
However, what was present was beautiful for sure. Many of the cars, beside the new California T, two 488 GTB and several Scuderias, seem to have been to Spa for the first time´. Local Belgium owners dominated the field, but many French drivers showed up as well. Compared to former editions of Spa Italia it was obvious that many participants from Germany and the Netherlands were missing. The Sunday’s Parade was most impressive when the whole bunch of all Italian brands drove out on the most beautiful racetrack without any damage. Only two slight bumps, received by F355 Berlinetta #99693 and the beautiful F12 in Rosso Mugello (191722) have been noted, however not comparable with past events. Sources quote that two cars, ironically same owner cars, received major damages, however, outside the circuit.
Best of Show? The Conciso indeed, built on 328 with S/N 80962 and, to pay honour to “other brands”, the Alfa Romeo Le Mans Speciale.
The spectators' reception was pleasingly high, especially after lunch. But Spa offers more space compared to Zandvoort and it was good to see that intensive Ferrari-events in 2015 (Spa Classic, Modena Track Days, Ferrari Owners Day, Corse Clienti and Spa Italia) did not calm down the spectators' interest on the cars from Maranello.
Follow our upcoming Slide Shows of the event over the next days.