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24 h Spa-Francorchamps

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

Date: 24/7/1976 to: 25/7/1976
Track length: 14.100 m
Attendance: 45.000-120.000
Entries accepted: unknown
Starters: 59
Finishers: 23

Pole position: Peltier/Carlier in 4.09,4
Fastest lap: de Fierlant, 4.11,9 = 201,794 kmh

Distance: 24 hours
Average speed: 170,329 kmh
Weather:
Ruleset: Group 2/76
Car info: 1976 Cars

Pictures

After two years self-chosen isolation with the "Group 1 Francorchamps" rules, Spa was back on the calendar. Some rules of 1976 group 2 were actually based on the Belgian set. The two years had brought Spa nice cars, good racing but yet more fatalities. Still, Spa was the crown jewel of the 1976 championship.

Favourites, who else, Luigi racing with three cars. But the front row of the grid was occupied by others. The fastest, by a big margin, was the Serge Power car of Carlier and reigning ETCC champion Alain Peltier. The car was prepared with Schnitzer parts (Luigi used Alpina parts). The second fastest was the Wisell Camaro, no surprise on a fast track like this, but unlikely to even finish the event. After the three Luigi cars, two other Belgian CSL's were lined up. The rest of the field consisted of five Autodelta Alfetta's, a bunch of GTV's, some group 1 or group 1.5 Commodores and Capris, the well known (for its noise) Mazda of Markey/Palmer who were partnered this time by Peter Ochs - who did not want to crash his precious Faltz 2002 on the Belgian roadcourse. Another attack on the ears was the Dutch Mazda, a car so far disappointing in the Dutch national championship. One of the Luigi cars was left behind - until Dieudonné found out that he needed to switch on both fuel pumps.

The lead was fought out between Carlier and De Fierlant, the first Alfetta was eight. Before the fourth hour, the Camaro came to a standstill (no oil pressure) and Corbisier damaged the front suspension: out for the Luigi #3 car. A few hours later, Peltier had to give up; his show for the home crowd had taken its toll by ruining the crankshaft. Now, Luigi was one and two, followed by another BMW and the Alfetta's. In the night, the second Luigi car of De Fierlant was out with defective piston rings. Only one Luigi car was left now. But it was four laps in front of the outsiders Demuth/Chavan/Detrin. Then disaster struck: the leading BMW had problems with the piston rings too: the Luigi team was out. It had started raining now, after 14 hours, with 10 still to go. When it stopped, the BMW #5 retook the lead that it had lost during the rain. After 24 hours, it still lead: an unexpected win, in front of three Alfa's, who took the King’s cup once again.

No fatalities this year - but Vermeulen came close, writing off the Mazda after a puncture at Stavelot in a terrible crash - but he escaped uninjured. Only days before the race, the roll cage was reinforced - otherwise it might have been a different story.


Division 1-4
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 5 Ecurie Jemeda / Assoc. Interim
BMW 3.0 CSL
Jean-Marie Detrin, B
Charles Van Stalle ("Chavan"), B
Nico Demuth, L
ca. 3200 L6 Div. 4 4088 km 7 4.28,6    
2 1 32 Autodelta S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
Jean-Claude Andruet, F
Spartaco Dini ("Paco"), I
1985 L4 Div. 2 4060 km 9 4.34,5    
3 2 37 Lov'auto
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Roland Imbert, F
Bernard Béguin, F
1962 L4 Div. 2 4018 km 22 4.42,3    
4 3 34 Autodelta S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
Claude Ballot-Léna, F
Guy Fréquelin, F
1962 L4 Div. 2 3952 km 15 4.38,8 4.33,8  
5 1 21 Wisharts Garages
Ford Capri II 3.0
Gordon Spice, GB
Peter Clark, GB
2993 V6 Div. 3 3932 km 13 4.37,2    
6 4 31 Autodelta S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
Amerigo "Joe" Bigliazzi, I
Teodoro Zeccoli, I
Claude Crespin, B
1985 L4 Div. 2 3927 km 21 4.41,8    
7 5 36 Lov'auto/Garage Mattozza
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Richard Mattozza, B
Jacques Berger, B
Dany Swyssen, B
1962 L4 Div. 2 3860 km 20 4.40,8    
8 2 14 Opel Gosset Team
Opel Commodore GS/E Gr.1B
Dany Wauters, B
Jean-Michel Martin, B
Tony Gillet, B
2784 L6 Div. 3 3830 km 10 4.36,0    
9 3 11 Opel Gosset Team
Opel Commodore GS/E
Arnaud Guiot, B
Jean-Louis Dumont, B
Jacky Delhaes, B
2784 L6 Div. 3 3770 km 23 4.42,4    
10 6 42 Ecurie Arc-en-Ciel
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Hub Nijsten, NL
Man Bergsteijn, NL
Kurt Ahrens Jr, D
1962 L4 Div. 2 3860 km 18 4.40,7    
11 7 38  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Jacques Alas, F
Corse
Testot Ferry
1962 L4 Div. 2   38 4.58,8    
12 8 43  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Rob Slotemaker, NL
Hans Maasland, NL
(Man Bergsteijn, NL)
1962 L4 Div. 2   31 4.55,1    
13 1 85  
Audi 80 1.3
Michel Dinant, B
Franz Dubois, B
Gery Van Butsele, B
1297 L4 Div. 1   46 5.09,4    
14 9 50  
Triumph Dolomite Sprint
Julien Vernaeve, B
Guy Pirenne, B
René Metge, F
1998 L4 Div. 2   24 4.43,8    
15 10 45  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
G. Somekh, F
Gerard Cayeux, F
Raffaele Restivo, I
1962 L4 Div. 2   32 4.55,5    
16 2 80  
Datsun Cherry 120A
Pierre Jamin, B
Oscar Kessler, B
1295 L4 Div. 1   43 5.04,1    
17 3 72  
Simca Rallye 2
Philippe De Leener, B
Ugo Meloni, B
Jeff Legros, B
1294 L4 Div. 1   53 5.15,5    
18 4 76  
Renault R 5 TS
Adriano Lasagni, B
A. de Beer
1289 L4 Div. 1   58 5.24,5    
19 5 75  
Subaru Leone 1300 A23
Alfred Abbenes, NL
Hans Deen, NL
Tony Merckx, B
1267 B4 Div. 1   59 5.26,7    
20 11/1 60 East Belgian Racing Team
Toyota Celica GT
Emmanuel Remion, B
Edgar Gillessen, B
Leon Clohse, B
1588 L4 Div. 2/1600   40 4.59,8    
21 12/2 57 Dutch National Racing Team
Toyota Celica GT
Henny Hemmes, NL
Loek Vermeulen, NL
? Jim Vermeulen, NL
1588 L4 Div. 2/1600   45 5.07,1    
22 13/2 58 GB Autocentre
Toyota Celica GT
Cremer, B
Marcel Tarres, B
1588 L4 Div. 2/1600   35 4.56,3 4.57,3  
DNF   49 Garage Havaux
Triumph Dolomite Sprint
Didier Havaux, B
Roger Van Peteghem, B
1998 L4 Div. 2   33 4.55,6    
DNF   86  
Audi 80 1.3
Dany Baele, B
J.R. Ullens, B
1297 L4 Div. 1   49 5.12,9    
DNF   61 Abt
Audi 80 GT
Hans-Joachim Nowak, D
Jean-Louis Hecq, B
Jean-Claude Toby, B
1588 L4 Div. 2/1600   37 4.58,2    
DNF     Ecurie Anjou
Audi 80 GT
Lucien Guitteny, F
Jean-Claude Boucher, F
1588 L4 Div. 2/1600   34 4.55,7    
DNF   56  
Toyota Celica GT
Holvoet, B
Raymond Van Hove, B
1588 L4 Div. 2/1600   27 4.50,4    
DNF   52  
Alfa Romeo 1300 GT Junior
Alphonse Boschi, B
Nello Brunetti, B
1290 L4 Div. 1   39 4.59,5    
DNF   51  
Alfa Romeo 1300 GT Junior
Michel Chapel, B
Guy Ferette, B
1290 L4 Div. 1   36 4.56,5    
DNF   73 Ecurie Arc-en-Ciel
Simca Rallye 2
Jeff Legros, B
Eric Van Peer ("Speedy"), B
1294 L4 Div. 1   54 5.15,6    
DNF   74 Ecurie Arc-en-Ciel
Simca Rallye 2
Carlo
Schramm
1294 L4 Div. 1   55 5.17,3    
DNF   77  
Zastava 1100 MTE
René Laplume, B
M. Meyer, B
1150? L4 Div. 1   56 5.18,9    
DNF   78  
Zastava 1100 MTE
Quirin Bovy, B
Jeannot Laurent, B
1150? L4 Div. 1   51 5.14,2 5.05,2  
DNF   55 Simca Racing Team Tissot
Sunbeam Avenger
Marc Donner, B
John Vanderheyden, B
Jean-Marie Jacquemin, B
? Maurice Gaspard, B
ca. 1300 L4 Div. 1   42 5.04,0    
DNF   12 Opel Gosset Team
Opel Commodore GS/E Gr.2
Philippe Martin, B
Jean-Louis Ravenel, F
André Praillet, B
2784 L6 Div. 3   11 4.36,7    
DNF   30  
BMW 2002
Michel Delcourt, B
? Carlo Keller, L
Baert, B
1990 L4 Div. 2   30 4.54,7    
DNF   39 Lov’Auto
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Jean-Claude Chamaillard, F
Eric Mandron, B
? Jean-Pierre Maegelhaes, B
1962 L4 Div. 2   28 4.53,4    
DNF   40  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Michel Lauria, B
Philippe Sougné, B
Mayer
1962 L4 Div. 2   29 4.54,4    
DNF   62  
Audi 80 GT
André Gahinet ("Segolen"), F
Laveredes
Rudy Host ("MacIntosh"), B
1588 L4 Div. 2/1600   44 5.05,9   Engine
DNF   63  
BMW 1602
Erwin Van den Broeck, B
Kurt Van Maldeghem, B
1573 L4 Div. 2/1600   48 5.10,5    
DNF   81  
Datsun Cherry 120A
Henri Sonveau, B
? Francis Polak, B
Xavier Mathiot, F
1295 L4 Div. 1   47 5.09,7    
DNF   6 Juma
BMW 3.0 CSL
Eddy Joosen, B
Pascal Witmeur, B
Roger Berndtson, B
ca. 3200 L6 Div. 4   5 4.20,1   Blown engine
DNF   27 Dealer Team Vauxhall
Vauxhall Firenza Magnum 2300
Gerry Marshall, GB
Tony Lanfranchi, GB
2279 L4 Div. 3   26 4.47,5   Clutch
DSQ   16 Norman Reeves Ltd.
Ford Capri II 3.0 Gr. 2
Brian Muir, AUS
Patrick Nève, B
? Jeremy Nightingale, GB
2993 V6 Div. 3   16 4.39,2   DSQ: taking fuel from outside source
DNF   71 Ecurie Arc-en-Ciel
Simca Rallye 2
Francis Polak, B
Jean Wansart, B
A. Mathieu, L
1294 L4 Div. 1   50 5.14,0   Engine
DNF   84 East Belgian Racing Team
Fiat 128
Leon Clohse, B
Alfons Taels, B
Emmanuel Remion, B
1290 L4 Div. 1   57 5.19,6    
DNF   83 Scuderia Mille Miglia
Fiat 128
Tony di Stefano, B
Charles Naveau, B
Jean-Daniel Raulet, F
1290 L4 Div. 1   52 5.14,4    
DNF   33 Autodelta S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
Walter Dona, I
Vincenzo Cazzago ("Pooky"), I
1985 L4 Div. 2   12 4.37,1   Head gasket
DNF   3 Luigi Racing
BMW 3.0 CSL
Claude De Wael, B
Alain Corbisier, B
Willy Braillard, B
3196 L6 Div. 4   6 4.26,7   Lost front wheel
DNF   4 Précision Liegeoise/Serge Power
BMW 3.0 CSL
Alain Peltier, B
Bernard Carlier, B
3196 L6 Div. 4   1 4.09,4   Crankshaft
DNF   2 Luigi Racing
BMW 3.0 CSL
Hughes de Fierlant, B
Umberto Grano, I
3196 L6 Div. 4   4 4.17,2 4.11,9 Piston ring
DNF   1 Luigi Racing
BMW 3.0 CSL
Jean Xhenceval, B
Pierre Dieudonné, B
Martino Finotto, I
3196 L6 Div. 4   3 4.14,8   Piston ring
DNF   7 Reine Wisell
Chevrolet Camaro
Reine Wisell, S
Stuart Graham, GB
Yvette Fontaine, B
5400 V8 Div. 4   2 4.12,5   Oil pressure
DNF   28  
BMW 3.0 CSi
André Lierneux, B
Claude Bourgoignie, B
Jean-Francois Vaney, B
2985 L6 Div. 4   14 4.37,8   Collision
DNF   18 KWS Autotechnik Team
Ford Capri II 3.0
Aloyse Kridel, L
Alain Beauchef, L
Vic Mathieu, L
2993 V6 Div. 3   25 4.43,8   Engine
DNF   17 Norman Reeves Ltd.
Ford Capri II 3.0 Gr. 2
Holman “Les” Blackburn, GB
Mike Crabtree, GB
René Tricot, B
2993 V6 Div. 3   8 4.31,0 4.31,0 Crankshaft
DNF   23 Smith Kendon Travel Sweets
Mazda Savanna RX-3
John Markey, GB
David Palmer, GB
? Peter Ochs, D
2 x 491 R2 Div. 3   19 4.40,7   Suspension
DNF   24 Dutch National Racing Team
Mazda Savanna RX-3
Huub Vermeulen, NL
Fred Frankenhout, NL
Jim Vermeulen, NL
2 x 491 R2 Div. 3   17 4.40,0   Blown tyre, accident
DNF   54 Simca Racing Team Tissot
Sunbeam Avenger
Remy Marquet, B
Jean-Marie Jacquemin, B
Maurice Gaspard, B
ca. 1300 L4 Div. 1   41 5.03,6   Engine
DNS   38 Lov’Auto
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Unknown
1962 L4 Div. 2          
DNS   41 Ecurie Arc-en-Ciel
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Duilio Ghislotti, I
Romeo Camathias, I
Luigi Colzani, I
? Siegfried Müller Jr, D
1962 L4 Div. 2         Accident in practice
DNS   25 Dealer Team Vauxhall
Vauxhall Firenza Magnum 2300
Michel De Deyne, B
Dirk Desoet, B
Bernard De St. Hubert, B
2279 L4 Div. 3         Accident in practice
DNS/DNQ?   79  
Zastava 1100 MTE
Unknown
Unknown
1150? L4 Div. 1          
DNS/DNQ?   26 Dealer Team Vauxhall
Vauxhall Firenza Magnum 2300
Jean-Charles Goris, B
? Bernard De St. Hubert, B
? Pierre Rubens, B
2279 L4 Div. 3          
DNS/DNQ?   44 TEAC Looza
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
Marc Demol, B
Michel De Deyne, B
1962 L4 Div. 2          
DNQ/DNS?   59 Postert Toyota
Toyota Celica GT
Hans Stukenbrock, D
1588 L4 Div. 2/1600          
DNQ   48  
Ford Escort RS 2000
Ken Coffey, GB
Cyd Williams, GB
1993 L4 Div. 2          

Remarks: King's cup: Alfa Romeo