Heats
1969 Nurburgring 
1968 Spa  Go 1970 Spa 
1969 Zandvoort 
Back to index page

24 h Spa-Francorchamps

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

Date: 26/7/1969 to: 27/7/1969
Track length: 14.100 m
Attendance: unknown
Entries accepted: unknown
Starters: 60?
Finishers: 28

Pole position: Tuerlinx/Grauls, 4.09,4 = 203,528 kmh
Fastest lap: Tuerlinx in 4.11,2 = 202,076 kmh

Distance: 24 hours
Average speed: 178,006 kmh
Weather:
Ruleset: Group 5/68
Car info: 1969 Cars

Pictures

Sensation at Spa - the return of Mercedes-Benz as a works entry, after semi works cars in the early sixties and after that withdrawal in 1955.
As one might expect, Mercedes prepared extensively, testing the big 300 SEL 6.8s throughout Europe. An early race in Macao in May had shown the car was competitive. It was the fastest 4-door saloon on the market at the time and although a little heavy in theory this would make an ideal touring car; brute V8 power from a relatively sophisticated engine (OHC), and European brakes and road holding to match.
So far the theory. In fact, the tires were not up to the power, weight and high speed on the Ardennes track. After tentative laps in practice, the cars were withdrawn. It would take another 20 years before Mercedes-Benz would enter Motorsport as a works force again. We will hear more of the 300 SEL 6.8 later, however.

None withstanding this, the last group 5 year showed an interesting grid. Tuerlinx’ Camaro was fastest in practice, averaging over 200 km/h. A fast but fragile BMW 2002 turbo was second, followed by the usual group of Porsches. They would have their last Spa 24h for more than 20 years.
Since neither the BMW nor the Camaro were thought to last very long, and the Mercedes were back to Stuttgart, who would give the Porsches a run for their money? Perhaps the Alfa Romeo GTA’s, or the little Mazda rotary cars? The Mazda Cosmos had impressed many at the Nürburgring 84h in 1968 with their reliability and speed. The new R100 had more power than the Cosmo and was probably a bit lighter as well.

Another first was the 3-2-3 grid, which replaced the Le Mans-type start.

The sole remaining 2002 Turbo took the lead (the sister car was slaughtered in practice, in search for pole) but had to give way to the Camaro. It had to stop after just half an hour for fuel, and after a blown head gasket the 2002 turbo retired. It left the door wide open for the Porsches, since the debut for a mildly tuned Alpina BMW 2800 CS had tire troubles too.

After three hours the Camaro took the lead once more, but alas a starter problem meant another DNF. Belgian veteran Eldé (57) had a fatal accident at Masta, with one of the Mazda Rotary cars. A tragic debut, but the other two cars kept going.

The lead car of Gaban/Larrousse had to give up at 6 in the morning with no oil pressure, leaving victory to Chasseuil/Ballot-Lena, followed by three other Porsches. The remaining Mazda’s finished fifth and sixth. A couple of nearly standard Opel Commodores won the King’s cup.


Division 1, 2 and 3
Pos Pos in class # Team / Entrant
Car- Engine
Drivers, Nationality Engine
vol. (cc)
Engine
Type
Group Distance,
time
Qualifying position Qualifying time Fastest lap Reason out,
remarks
1 1 39 Écurie Sonauto
Porsche 911
Guy Chasseuil, F
Claude Ballot-Léna, F
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5 4286 km 7 4.28,3    
2 2 49  
Porsche 911
Claude Haldi, CH
Jean Chenevière, CH
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5 4246 km 4 4.27,3    
3 3 19  
Porsche 911
Edouard Duvigneaud, B
Etienne Stalpaert, B
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5 4108 km 10 4.31,9    
4 4 21 J.P. Gaban
Porsche 911
René Moerenhout, B
Willy Braillard, B
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 2 4070 km 16 4.38,0   1st Group 2
5 5 29 Mazda
Mazda Familia R100 M10A coupé
Yves Deprez, B
Yoshimi Katayama, J
2 x 491 eq. 1964 R2 Div. 3/Gr 5 4046 km 14 4.35,8    
6 6 28 Mazda
Mazda Familia R100 M10A coupé
Masami Katakura, J
Toshinori Takechi, J
2 x 491 eq. 1964 R2 Div. 3/Gr 5 3975 km 12 4.35,4    
7 7 27  
Porsche 911
Edgar Herrmann, EAK
Hans Schuller, EAK
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 2 3961 km 21 4.41,8    
8 1 86 Autodelta S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo 1300 GTA Junior
Maurice Damseaux, B
Jacques Berger, B
1290 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5 3885 km 39 5.02,1    
9 8 70 BMW-Alpina
BMW 2800 CS
Helmut Kelleners, D
Nicolas Koob, L
2788 L6 Div. 3/Gr 5 3876 km 9 4.31,8    
10 9 35  
BMW 2002 TI
Guy Brunninghausen, B
Maurice Lenaif ("Alix"), B
1990 L4 Div. 3/Gr 2 3789 km 39 5.02,5    
11 2 33 Ford-Chevron Racing Team
Ford Escort TC
Yvette Fontaine, B
John Fitzpatrick, GB
1594 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5 3707 km 17 4.38,9    
12 3 63  
Ford Escort TC
Ken Coffey, GB
Nigel Moores, GB
1594 L4 Div. 2/Gr 2 3665 km 46 5.13,9    
13 10 31 Alfa Romeo Benelux
Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina
Bob Wollek, F
Liane Engeman, NL
1779 L4 Div. 3/Gr 1 3648 km 48 5.24,5    
14 11 12  
Opel Commodore GS
Dieter Lambart, D
Polizzi
2490 L6 Div. 3/Gr 1 3634 km 45 5.09,9    
15 12 16  
Opel Commodore GS
Carl Smet, B
Johan Steegen, B
2490 L6 Div. 3/Gr 1 3634 km 43 5.07,8    
16 13 14  
Opel Commodore GS
Charles Van Stalle ("Chavan"), B
John Goossens, B
2490 L6 Div. 3/Gr 1 3634 km 41 5.04,5    
17 14 10  
Opel Commodore GS
Dany Wauters, B
Philippe Toussaint, B
2490 L6 Div. 3/Gr 5 3578 km 32 4.56,6    
18 4 62 Frami Racing Holland
Ford Escort TC
Jean-Pierre "Pino" Ortmans, B
Frans Lubin, NL
1594 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5 3524 km 27 4.49,4    
19 1 96  
BMC Mini Cooper S
Julien Vernaeve, B
Clive Baker, GB
999 L4 Div. 1/Gr 5 3524 km 60 5.54,2    
20 5 81  
Renault R 8 Gordini
Jacques? Coche, F
François Lacarrau, F
1255 L4 Div. 2/Gr 1 3482 km 52 5.31,3    
21 6 64 Alfa Romeo Benelux
Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
Bernard Goffinet, B
Claude Collignon, B
1570 L4 Div. 2/Gr 1 3482 km 53 5.31,6    
22 7 66 Alfa Romeo Benelux
Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
Georges Hacquin, B
Charles van Rijn, B
1570 L4 Div. 2/Gr 1 3482 km 51 5.30,7    
23 8 65 Alfa Romeo Benelux
Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
Didier Roose, B
Luc Goris, B
1570 L4 Div. 2/Gr 1 3482 km 49 5.25,6    
24 9 67 Alfa Romeo Benelux
Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
William Scheeren, B
E. Brel, B
1570 L4 Div. 2/Gr 1 3397 km 50 5.27,4    
25 10 50  
Ford Lotus Cortina
C. Deshayes, F
Ereybal
1594 L4 Div. 2/Gr 1 3365 km 54 5.35,4    
26 11 84  
Renault R 8 Gordini
J. Carlier, B
Charles Mombaerts, B
1255 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5 3291 km 55 5.37,5    
27 3 82  
Renault R 8 Gordini
Jean-Marie Nourry, F
Pierre Laffeach, F
1255 L4 Div. 2/Gr 2 3073 km 47 5.23,8    
28 2 97 Stemper-Meznarie
NSU 1000 TTS
Jean-Claude Sola, F
Emeric
996 L4 Div. 1/Gr 5 2749 km 58 5.49,2    
DNF   43  
Porsche 911
Erwin Kremer, D
Helmut Gall, D
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 2   11 4.35,2   Connecting rod
DNF   78 BLMC
Morris Mini Cooper S
John Handley, GB
Roger Enever, GB
1293 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5   40 5.02,8   Connecting rod
DNF   95  
Morris Mini Cooper S 970
Robin Searle, GB
Terry Nichols, GB
999 L4 Div. 1/Gr 5   57 5.43,5   Front suspension
DNF   32 Alfa Romeo Benelux
Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina
Pascal Demol, B
Patrick Petre, B
1779 L4 Div. 3/Gr 5   24 4.46,7   Head gasket
DNF   85 Autodelta S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo 1300 GTA Junior
Claude Bourgoignie, B
Jean-Marie Lagae, B
1290 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5   34 4.57,6   Blown engine
DNF   88 Autodelta S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo 1300 GTA Junior
Enrico Pinto, I
Teodoro Zeccoli, I
1290 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5   29 4.53,8   Head gasket
DNF   98  
BMC Mini Cooper
Jean-Pol Bardet, B
Jean-Jacques Vloebergs, B
998 L4 Div. 1/Gr 5   56 5.42,3   Accident
DNF   23 J.P. Gaban
Porsche 911
Jean-Pierre Gaban, B
Gérard Larrousse, F
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5   5 4.27,6   Oil pressure
DNF   46 Écurie "Les Lions"
Porsche 911
Alexander Nolte, D
? Werner Christmann, D
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5   18 4.39,7   Engine
DNF   18  
Porsche 911
Jorge de Bagration, E
Giorgio Pianta, I
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5   3 4.22,9   Fire
DNF   94 NSU Belgium
NSU 1000 TTS
Deladrière, B
? Willy Segers, B
996 L4 Div. 1/Gr 5   59 5.51,5   Lost wheel
DNF   11  
Opel Commodore GS
Joost Byttebier, B
Noël Van Assche ("Pedro"), B
2490 L6 Div. 3/Gr 5   23 4.45,3   Engine
DNF   22  
Porsche 911
Emmanuel Hibon ("Manu"), F
P. Campion
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5   15 4.36,8   Clutch
DNF   71 BMW-Alpina
BMW 1600
Ferfried von Hohenzollern, D
Hannelore Werner, D
1600 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5   28 4.53,1   Head gasket
DNF   24 Écurie "Les Lions"
Porsche 911
Jacques Rey, CH
Willy Meier, D
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5   19 4.41,4   Alternator
DNF   20  
Ford Capri 2300 GT
Michael Kranefuss, D
Robert Leysieffer, D
2293 V6 Div. 3/Gr 2   35 5.00,4   Clutch
DNF   17 Écurie Savoie
Porsche 911
Karl von Wendt, D
Willi Kauhsen, D
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5   6 4.27,6   Piston
DNF   26 BMW
BMW 2002 TI
Dieter Quester, A
Dieter Basche, D
1990 L4 Div. 3/Gr 5   8 4.28,5   Gearbox
DNF   80 Grafo Racing Team
Alfa Romeo 1300 GTA Junior
Jean-Marie Jacquemin, B
Horst Eiteneuer, D
1290 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5   38 5.01,9   Oil leak
DNF   61 Team VDS
Alfa Romeo 1600 GTA
Teddy Pilette, B
Rob Slotemaker, NL
1570 L4 Div. 2/Gr 2   22 4.42,1   Engine
DNF   68 Alfa Romeo Benelux
Alfa Romeo 1600 GTA
Daniel Dezy, B
Taf Gosselin, B
1570 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5   26 4.48,4   Engine
DNF   1  
Chevrolet Camaro
Chris Tuerlinx, B
Ivo Grauls, B
6500 V8 Div. 3/Gr 5   1 4.09,4 4.11,2 Starter motor
DNF   34 BMW-Alpina
BMW 2002
Gunther Huber, A
Helmut "Helle" Bein, D
1990 L4 Div. 3/Gr 5   13 4.35,7   Brakes
DNF   30 Mazda
Mazda Familia R100 M10A coupé
Leon Dernier ("Eldé"), B
Hughes de Fierlant, B
2 x 491 eq. 1964 R2 Div. 3/Gr 5   25 4.47,4   Fatal accident (Eldé)
DNF   15  
Opel Commodore GS
Paul Verbeeck, B
Francis Polak, B
2490 L6 Div. 3/Gr 1   42 5.05,4   Accident
DNF   87 Autodelta S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo 1300 GTA Junior
Carlo Facetti, I
Spartaco Dini ("Paco"), I
1290 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5   30 4.54,0   Electrics
DNF   38 Ford France
Ford Capri 2300 GT
Jean-Francois Piot, F
Michel Martin, F
2293 V6 Div. 3/Gr 5   31 4.55,0   Valve
DNF   89  
Alfa Romeo 1300 GTA Junior
Roland Imbert, F
M. Fouquet, F
1290 L4 Div. 2/Gr 2   33 4.57,3   Accident
DNF   3  
Chevrolet Camaro
Roland Hanser, F
Christian Poirot, F
6500 V8 Div. 3/Gr 1 7 44 5.06,7   Connecting rod
DNF   2 BMW
BMW 2002 TIK
Hubert Hahne, D
Dieter Quester, A
(Chris Craft, GB)
1990 tc L4 Div. 3/Gr 5   2 4.15,1   Head gasket
DNF   69 Team Lucien Bianchi
Alfa Romeo 1600 GTA
Christine Beckers ("Christine"), B
Jacques Demoulin, B
1570 L4 Div. 2/Gr 5   36 5.00,7   Engine
DNF   37  
Porsche 911
Raymond Touroul, F
Pierre Mauroy, F
1991 B6 Div. 3/Gr 5   20 4.41,5   Accident
DNS     BMW
BMW 2002 TIK
Dieter Quester, A
Dieter Basche, D
1990 tc L4 Div. 3/Gr 5         Blown engine
DNS   4 Daimler Benz A.G.
Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3
Jacky Ickx, B
Hans Herrmann, D
6329 V8 Div. 3   (2) 4.15,0   Withdrawn
DNS   5 Daimler Benz A.G.
Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3
Rauno Aaltonen, SF
Dieter Glemser, D
6329 V8 Div. 3   (4) 4.15,8   Withdrawn
DNS     Daimler Benz A.G.
Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3
Kurt Ahrens Jr, D
Erich Waxenberger, D
6329 V8 Div. 3   (6) 4.23,1   Withdrawn
DNS   83 John Aley
BMC Mini Cooper S
Jeremy Mitchell, GB
Chris Alford, GB
1293 L4 Div. 2         Blown engine

Remarks: King’s cup: Opel (14 metres apart); 2nd Alfa Romeo 730 metres apart.