PRESS

 

 

 Following on from the RAC, Stouf adds the Boucles de Spa to his record of achievements

 

Thousands of delighted spectators, as from the Friday, were thrilled to go back in time and drool over the 330 competitors at the start of these Legend Boucles de Spa 2011, which once again were a fantastic overall success.

Notwithstanding the lack of snow or ice the overall spectacle in no way disappointed all aficionados who loved being able to discern “with a sharp ear” the cars roaring away in the distance. Both during the night and day the atmosphere was highly convivial, just like in the good old days. Overall the spectators remained highly disciplined and had full respect for heritage of the Clémentine grounds where it is therefore hoped that events can be held in the future. Not a single major incident was reported and the organisers did not have to cancel a single of the 15 Regularity Tests on the programme for the Legend competitors.

On the other hand the dry weather had hardened the ground as such giving the older engines and transmissions a harder time which resulted in an unusual number of disasters amongst the major players,  a mere 103 teams out of the 185 at the start of the Legend finishing this 53rd edition. Only too soon we lost the Porsches of Droogmans, Dumas, Van de Poele and Kelders, the Mazda of Henning Solberg, the Stratos of Perez and Loubet, the Ford of Munster, the Saab of de Spa, the Peugeot of Neuville, the Opel of Timmers, the Visa of Thiry not forgetting the Skoda of Freddy Loix who crashed over the barrier at Francorchamps.

Up front the battle for victory opposed the Porsches of Patrick Snijers and François Duval from the Ford Escorts of Bjorn Waldegard and Stefaan Stouf.

During the night the veteran Swede led until dropping back the rhythm somewhat at that time following an interphone breakdown: « The oldies have less visibility during night time » the smiling 67 year old Swede remarked who was teamed up with Stéphane Prévot and beaten by a mere six points. « But I am highly delighted to have finished second. This is reason enough to be back here in 2012! »

Highly at ease at the wheel of the 911 of 1972, François Duval had taken over the lead when an electrical problem stopped him short on the Saive military base section. His team mate Patrick Snijers, eight times winner, relayed him, but held back due to a broken alternator belt and two Asconas blocking his way on the first run through Creppe, the Unavenirquiroule.be driver finally had to be satisfied with the third tread of the podium.

« If I had been given details of the rankings I might have put in a stronger attack, » the seven times champion of Belgium reluctantly commented. « If I understand matters correctly I was fastest on the RTs, but I was more specifically beaten due to the younger age of my car (1982 up against 1975 and 1976). I obviously had not taken into consideration the corrective coefficients regarding the years. »

Three months after having won the Roger Albert Clark (RAC) Rally in England, victory, to everyone’s surprise, went to the Ford Escort MKI of Stefaan Stouf, a driver specialised in historic events and well supported by Joris Erard.

« It’s absolutely fabulous to have battled it out all day up against such great names as Waldegard, Snijers, Duez and Duval, » the unexpected victor commented who had driven hard during the entire event. « I had won my entry for the Boucles after having clinched the RAC and now I have won a free ticket to compete in the legendary British event. »

Behind the Stouf-Waldegard-Snijers trio, we have two other grand names, namely the Mazda RX7 Gr.B of Marc Duez ahead of the Lancia of Jean-Pierre Van de Wauwer, who experienced a flat tyre.  Following them we have the Flanders drivers Mathias Viaene and Omer Saelens, the Ford Escorts of Delhez and the Dutchman Erwin Doctor, with the Opel Ascona of José Lareppe rounding off the Top 10 ahead of Cherain, Bodson and Stig Blomqvist who was penalised for having completed a lap short at Saive.

We should also note the 17th place of the weekend’s hero, namely Simon Everett who escaped from hospital and the ambulance to accept the invitation from the organisers: « No way could I throw in the towel. I was at the end of my strengths. Without André Leyh who navigated and drove on the liaisons sections I would not have made it. »

Jean-Marc Fortin also had to take the wheel to help former F1 driver Patrick Tambay to bring his Porsche, without clutch and running on the starter to the podium in 22nd place overall..

Max Vataken, teamed up with his illustrious father in the Escort S0, who only showed his worth on the renowned Clémentine section, was also highly delighted with having made the journey: « I did far less spins than my father last year, » the young 20 year old Finn laughed. « I was a little worried and I didn’t really read all the notes. Next time around Max will need to find himself another team mate. It’s not really a job for me, » one of the most solicited, acclaimed and respected champions by the nostalgic and spoilt public commented. So, we are now looking forward to the following edition. However with this time around an electronic timing which is up to level of the event …   

 

The final classification Legend

 

  1. Stouf-Erard (Ford Escort Mk11975) 173,10 ;
  2. Waldegaard-Prévot (Sw-Bel/Ford Escort Mk II 1976) + 6,38
  3. Snijers-Gistels (Porsche 911 SCRS Gr. B 1982)
  4. Van de Wauwer-Marnette (Lancia Beta Monte Carlo 1976) + 70,14
  5. Viaene-Vyncke (Opel Ascona 1974) +  112,86
  6.  Saelens-Castelein (Porsche 911 Gr. 4 1973) +  120,43
  7. Delhez-Lambert (Ford Escort RS 2000 1976)+ 191,54
  8. Doctor-Badenberg (P-B/Ford Escort Mk II Gr. 4 1977)+ 198,81
  9. Lareppe-Hayez (Opel Ascona B 1980)+ 201,30
  10. Cherain-Jamoul (Opel Kadett GTE 1978)+ 205,30
  11. Bodson-Piret (Opel Kadett C 1975)+ 222,40
  12. Blomqvist-Jakobsson (Sw/Ford Escort Mk II BDA 1975)+ 240,15
  13. Chaballe-Elst (Porsche 911 1964)+ 242,66
  14. Evrard-Burniat (Porsche 9111970) + 266,60
  15. Prinzie-Vermeulen (Ford Escort Mk II BDA 1977) + 290,40
  16.  Everett-Leyh (Ford Escort Mk II BDA 1974)  +308,64
  17. Bouvy-Toubon (Porsche 911 SC 1982)+  308,94
  18. Reuter-Vandevorst (Porsche 914/6 1970) + 321,30
  19. Melse-Melse (P-B/ Porsche 911 1965)  + 337,70
  20. Soenens-Beauprez (Ford Escort BDA 1977)  + 363,74
  21. Tambay-Fortin (Fra/Porsche 911 Gr. 4 1973)  + 374,75
  22. Depreay-Stoffels (Porsche 9111976) + 377,18
  23. Gérard-Chalseche (Opel Kadett GT/E 1975)  + 396,90
  24. Hallet-Metens (Opel Manta A 1971) + 413,79
  25.  Hébette-Bourguignon (Renault 5 GT Turbo 1985)  + 413,80
  26. Verschueren-Depoortere (Opel Ascona A 1974)  +  423,50
  27. Van Woensel-Van der Sloten (Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 1986 +  443,86
  28.  Elleboudt-Joassin (Ford Escort Mk II Gr. 4 1976)  + 445,78
  29. Cools-Laudus (Opel Kadett C 1976) + 448,82

 

 

The final classification Classic

 

  1. D . Van Rompuy-Pirotte (Opel Kadett GTE) 127,3
  2. Delince-Minguet (Ford Escort RS2000) 217.06
  3. Bertrand-Chapa (Ford Escort Mexico) 236.35
  4. Chavan-Felot (Mercedes 250) 261.79
  5. Gengou-Gathy (Volvo) 354.0

 

 

The major retirements

 

Thiry (Visa, transmission drive)

H. Solberg (Mazda, engine)

Loix (Skoda, crash)

Droogmans (Porsche, engine)

Duval (Porsche, electrics)

Perez (Lancia, gearbox)

Munster (Ford, engine)

Dumas (Porsche, engine)

Loubet (Lancia, transmission)

Kelders (Porsche, over-heating)

Timmers (Opel, engine)

Neuville (Peugeot 104, broken differential)

De Spa (Saab, engine)

Soulet (Ford, engine)

Leens (Mini, engine)

Van de Poele (Porsche, crash)