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  • Wet Spa for the annual 'Ferrari Days' Weekend 2003
Magazine

Wet Spa for the annual 'Ferrari Days' Weekend 2003

Classic Driver

The 2003 Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge got off to a wet start at the Belgian Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The first race in group A was won by the German Thomas Bscher, at the wheel of a Maserati 250 F, who did a good job of fending off fellow countryman Burkhard Von Schenk, driving a similar car.

Third place went to Stefan Schollwock and his Maserati 6CM, who pulled off a great passing move on the tenacious Irvine Laidlaw, who came home fourth.

In group B, Vincent Gaye emerged victorious at the wheel of a short wheelbase 250 GT Berlinetta. The Belgian led from the front, convincingly having the upper hand over the Maseratis 200S of Thomas Bscher, second and William Binnie, who was third.

The group C race was action packed. After the rolling start, John Bosch managed to get by William Binnie and Patrick Stieger at the famous Eau Rouge corner, coming up from fourth place, while Englishman Peter Hardmann worked his way into the lead to win driving his Ferrari 412 P. John Bosch was second in a Ferrari 365 GTB4 Competitzione, while third place went to Jean Guikas, also at the wheel of a 365 GTB4.

On the Sunday, 27th April, Competitors in Group A were the first to tackle the Spa-Francorchamps track, which was still wet after heavy overnight rain. Thomas Bscher and Burkhard Von Schenk, both driving Maserati 250F took the two top spots, while third and fourth respectively were Stefan Schollwock and Irvine Laidlaw, both driving Maserati 6CMs.

The Group B race began on a dry track and ended in the rain. Vincent Gaye led from start to finish in a short wheelbase Ferrari 250 GT, followed by William Binnie’s Maserati 300S and Frederico Kroymans at the wheel of a Ferrari 250 GTO. There was no rain for the Group C competitors, when William Binnie, starting from the back row, trounced everyone to win in his Ferrari 312 P. Peter Hardman also had a great drive, second in the Ferrari 412 P. In third place came John Bosch driving a Ferrari 365 GTB4 Competizione. The next round is scheduled for 24th and 25th May at Monza.

Text & Photo: Ferrari SPA