A superb period photograph from the 1971 Spa 24 Hours at Spa-Francorchamps, showing Jochen Mass and John Fitzpatrick in conversation before the race.Both drivers were important members of the formidable Ford Köln touring-car team during the 1971 season.At Spa, Jochen Mass shared the Ford Capri RS2600 #21 with Gerry Birrell. The pair qualified seventh before retiring from the race with camshaft trouble. John Fitzpatrick shared the Ford Escort RS1600 #53 with François Mazet, qualifying an impressive eighth overall before retiring with flywheel trouble.Mass and Fitzpatrick were also regular teammates during 1971, sharing a Ford Köln Escort RS1600 at Monza and later winning the Jarama 4 Hours together.The photograph captures the wonderfully informal atmosphere of the original Spa-Francorchamps circuit, with packed grandstands and Ford competition cars surrounding the drivers shortly before the famous 24-hour touring-car race.