What a fantastic Gallery!
The 1971 Spa 24 Hours 24 to 25 July 1971 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Serving as a round of the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), the race is famous for launching the AMG brand into global motorsport fame.
The Race Highlights
The Winners: The race was won by Dieter Glemser and Alex Soler-Roig driving a factory-entered Ford Capri RS2600. They completed 311 laps, showcasing both the speed and reliability of the nimble Capri over the grueling 24-hour period. The Sensation (The "Red Pig"): The undisputed star of the weekend was the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, nicknamed the "Rote Sau" (Red Pig). Modified by a young, independent AMG engineering firm, the massive 428 hp luxury saloon defied expectations on the old 14.1 km track. Driven by Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz, it battled massive weight, tyre wear, and fuel consumption to finish an incredible second overall and win its class. The Competition: The grid featured around 60 starters, including heavy factory presence from BMW (ten 3-litre coupés), Ford, Opel, and Alfa Romeo. Attrition: True to Spa's reputation, the old high-speed public-road circuit took a heavy toll on the machinery. Out of roughly 60 starters, only 18 to 19 cars managed to finish the race amid overcast weather and later rain showers.
The event is widely remembered as a watershed moment for touring car racing, solidifying the Ford Capri's racing pedigree and putting Mercedes-AMG firmly on the high-performance automotive map.
The stunning colour pictures are 6x6 transparencies and are for sale by email enquiry. The stunning black & White pictures are available to print (Just use the BUY Button). These are 35mm negatives and may be available to purchase or download by email enquiry.
The 1971 Spa 24 Hours 24 to 25 July 1971 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Serving as a round of the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), the race is famous for launching the AMG brand into global motorsport fame.
The Race Highlights
The Winners: The race was won by Dieter Glemser and Alex Soler-Roig driving a factory-entered Ford Capri RS2600. They completed 311 laps, showcasing both the speed and reliability of the nimble Capri over the grueling 24-hour period. The Sensation (The "Red Pig"): The undisputed star of the weekend was the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, nicknamed the "Rote Sau" (Red Pig). Modified by a young, independent AMG engineering firm, the massive 428 hp luxury saloon defied expectations on the old 14.1 km track. Driven by Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz, it battled massive weight, tyre wear, and fuel consumption to finish an incredible second overall and win its class. The Competition: The grid featured around 60 starters, including heavy factory presence from BMW (ten 3-litre coupés), Ford, Opel, and Alfa Romeo. Attrition: True to Spa's reputation, the old high-speed public-road circuit took a heavy toll on the machinery. Out of roughly 60 starters, only 18 to 19 cars managed to finish the race amid overcast weather and later rain showers.
The event is widely remembered as a watershed moment for touring car racing, solidifying the Ford Capri's racing pedigree and putting Mercedes-AMG firmly on the high-performance automotive map.
The stunning colour pictures are 6x6 transparencies and are for sale by email enquiry. The stunning black & White pictures are available to print (Just use the BUY Button). These are 35mm negatives and may be available to purchase or download by email enquiry.
© motoring-man