The Car Spy

This month the Spa-Classic in Belgium is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the legendary Ecurie Francorchamps team which was closely associated with Ferrari racing cars during the 1950’s and 60’s which saw the beautiful 250 reign supreme on the track.

A special tribute is also being made to Jacques Swaters who was Ecurie Francorchamps’ leading light.

Created in 1952 by Jacques Swaters, owner of the Ferrari Francorchamps Garage, the team sported Ferrari colours in Formula 1 from its creation until 1954. In 1955, the merging of the Ecurie Francorchamps and Belgian Team of Johnny Claes, Swaters’ co-driver, resulted in the National Belgian Team. However, despite its short life as such, it is the Ecurie Francorchamps team which remains etched in memories.

50 to 100 Ferraris, including 7 GTOs, raced with the emblematic Belgian Team’s colours in the World Sports Car Championships until 1982  and many great drivers took to the track with these iconic cars including Willy Mairesse, Jean Blaton known as “Beurlys”, Lucien Bianchi, Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell being amonsgt the most well-known.

If you love classic Ferraris this is a must-see event this year and more details can be found at http://www.spa-classic.com/

However it is an event for all classic racing car lovers and over 220 cars will be present on the famous Spa circuit including entrants from Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes-Sauber, Nissan and a host of classic F1 racers from the 1960’s onwards.

Ecurie Francorchamps 250 GTO