Spa Classic 2025 – Best Spectator Event on the Historic Motorsport Calendar?
June 9, 2025
I’m usually quite well organised. But with such a busy events calendar this year, I confess that Peter Auto’s latest round of historic racing at Belgium’s legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps caught me somewhat off guard. The next thing I knew, I was rolling off the Channel Tunnel at 03:00 am and merging onto the A16 past the imperative “Keep Right” sign familiar to frequent LeShuttle users. The sun was rising on what was to be an exhausting yet exciting day at Spa Classic 2025.
This was to be my first trip to the famed “Ardennes Rollercoaster”. I didn’t know quite what to expect, but suffice it to say, I was not disappointed.
The setting is similar to that of the neighbouring Nürburgring: The track seems to follow the contours of the lush, verdant Walonian landscape, with steep hills acting as the perfect echo chamber and natural amphitheatre.
Spa offers a testing ribbon of asphalt that any self-respecting petrolhead can name at least three corners from, and it’s also a firm favourite among drivers past and present. Spa-Francorchamps hosted its first Grand Prix in 1925 and has been a fixture of the F1 calendar every year (barre just two occasions) since 1985.
Like all Peter Auto events, Spa Classic revives a golden era of historic racing, but it stands out as a superb event for spectators. A general admission ticket grants access to practically all areas. This isn’t like an F1 weekend where you have to sell a kidney to afford a plastic seat in view of a TV monitor.
Spa Classic is delightfully informal; no turnstiles to queue at on your way in. Simply scan your tickets at the gate, and you can walk in and out as you please, allowing free rein of the paddock, the hubbub of the pit garages, and your pick of the various grandstands dotted around the circuit. With its frequent changes in elevation, you can usually observe large sections of the track from any single vantage point. I’d venture to say it’s among the greatest spectator events on the historic motorsport calendar.
The relaxed atmosphere makes for a fantastic few days, and there’s plenty to look at besides the racing. There are trade stands a-plenty selling everything from vintage Heuer chronographs, alloy wheels for Zagato-bodied Alfa Romeos, racing-themed clothing, artwork, and much more besides
Peter Auto say over 400 cars take to the track during the event, while over 800 are reportedly on display. That means there’s plenty to see besides the racing, including a breathtaking display of Group B era rally cars.
Any Spa regular will always tell you to expect rain, and rain it certainly did during the afternoon on the Saturday I was there. Spa in the wet is an incredible spectacle, watching the drivers fight for grip amidst the downpours.
The 2.0-Litre Cup for SWB 911s offered some really close-fought racing, while the sight of a Ford GT40 ascending Eau Rouge is one of the most glorious things a car enthusiast can witness. We live in exciting times for historic motor racing; there’s some real talent out on track.
There was also an assortment of particularly fine racing machines being prepared in the paddock areas. Among them were race-prepared Ferrari Daytonas, Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTAs, an assortment of Can-Am cars, E-Types, Cobras, and a good many classic 911s.
Peter Auto can do no wrong so far as we’re concerned. If you love historic motorsport, Spa Classic is not to be missed. It’s held at what is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest circuits, and the sheer variety of classic racing machines being driven as their makers intended makes for great entertainment. We eagerly look forward to Le Mans Classic in July.
