There’s something magical about historic cars. We all feel it — that curiosity to see what racing was like back in the day, to witness these icons in action, not just behind museum glass but on the track. In 2022, during a Spa-Francorchamps 24h race weekend, I did exactly that.
I got my first glimpse of the car at the parade in the city of Spa: the lineup for the GT Anniversary was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Organized by Peter Auto to celebrate 30 years of the SRO Motorsports Group, this gathering brought together the legends of GT racing, each one more iconic than the last. From the Venturi 400 that kicked off this whole era of GT racing to modern GT3 favorites like the Audi R8 LMS and Bentley Continental, it felt like I was walking watching a racing hall of fame.
A McLaren F1 GTR was heading toward me with its sleek silhouette unmistakable even at a distance. There’s a Chrysler Viper GTS-R next to it, with its aggressive stance and powerful aura that practically dares me to get a closer shot. Not far off, is a Lamborghini Murcielago GT1 that Stéphane Ratel, the mastermind behind SRO, will be driving himself. Each car represents a different chapter in GT racing history, and both are eager to remind us of the era when they ruled Spa’s unforgiving curves.
The atmosphere is heightened by a sense of nostalgia and celebration. We’re not just looking at cars; we’re looking at decades of racing evolution, where each machine tells its own story. These aren’t just relics; they’re warriors, bearing the scars of countless battles on tracks across the world. And in just a few days, they’ll return to the very place they once fought—the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
When the race got underway, I find myself caught up in the energy of the moment. I frame my shot on the Maserati MC12, recalling how it dominated the 24 Hours of Spa in the early 2000s. Then an Aston Martin DBR9 with its distinct green paintwork glinting in the sun came pass the Les Combes s-turns.
The race is a pure spectacle. The engines erupt in a symphony of power—V12s, V10s, roaring V8s and flat 6s blending into an orchestra of raw speed. My lens focused on how the cars splitting fractions of seconds in pursuit of glory. Each lap brings a new thrill as these titans of GT racing trade places, tires screeching, and exhausts blazing. For a moment, it feels as though time has rewound, as these legends relive their heyday, pushing every limit to stay ahead.
For me, this event is more than just a shoot. It’s a journey through time, a reminder of racing’s roots, and a chance to capture the spirit of GT racing as it lives on, roaring back to life at Spa. It’s a race that reminds us why we all fell in love with motorsport in the first place.
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TEXT & PHOTOS:
VLADIMIR LJADOV
IG: WHEELSBYWOVKA