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Touring it up

In its early days, the Spa Euro Race just gave us single-make series, the "Formulas"—small-scale series for Touring cars and the like. These Formula races even welcomed some top-tier champions, such as a certain Hakkinen.

Like the Finn, that version of the Spa Euro Race has moved on to a well deserved retirement.

Modernity, my dear sir. The event has since evolved and opened its paddocks to other racing cars.

This weekend, we will even be treated to a few Belgian premieres.

The F3 races, called the European F3 Open, remain a sure bet in single seaters, promising some brawny races from the young Turks in the field who only have eyes for the podium.

Francorchamps is the venue they dream of to flaunt their stuff.

The same goes for the drivers in the GT Open, though with lower ambitions at stake. But the line-up is exceptional, with Aston Martins, Fords, Audi R8 LMSs, Porsches and Ferraris.

In the same genre, we will take a certain pleasure in joining up, for the first time this season, with our neighbours from the polders at the Dutch Super Car Challenge. Batavian battles in Walloon territory—now that's something to watch.

In the time it takes to change paddocks, we'll turn to a new formula dubbed Auto GP, which is actually an evolution of the A1 GP Lola-Zytek. Rubber's going to burn in the Raidillon.

Also in the new releases aisle, we'll discover a brand new Italian formula that goes by the name Formula Abarth and is involved with the Ferrari Academy of the prestigious F1 team.

Decidedly innovative, the Royal Motor Union of Spa will also give the Dunlop Special Open Trophy, a Belgian series, the chance to premiere in Ardennes with a crew that includes roadsters, Mazda MX5s and other small concept cars.

As soon as these folks have packed up kit and cars in their lorries, Francorchamps will turn to English time with two days (Monday and Tuesday) reserved for the members of the Gold Track Club. Wednesday and Thursday, Porsche will be on site with its driver training team for the happy owners of these German beauties.