Mission in the Ardennes: 4 Hours of Spa Classic

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Andrew Gray (in helmet) and Christopher Page get ready for their attack on Spa.
Andrew Gray (in helmet) and Christopher Page get ready for their attack on Spa.
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Christopher Page gets up to speed after exiting La Source.
Christopher Page gets up to speed after exiting La Source.
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The mission begins as 70 vintage endurance racers roar off in the 4 Hours of Spa Classic Le Mans start.
The mission begins as 70 vintage endurance racers roar off in the 4 Hours of Spa Classic Le Mans start.
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Team Guzzi Nerd: Andrew Gray (left) and Christopher Page.
Team Guzzi Nerd: Andrew Gray (left) and Christopher Page.
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Team Ironwood: Ralph Hudson (left) and Gary Di Pietro.
Team Ironwood: Ralph Hudson (left) and Gary Di Pietro.
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Ralph Hudson working his way through the chicane.
Ralph Hudson working his way through the chicane.
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Andrew Gray pushing the Guzzi through the chicane.
Andrew Gray pushing the Guzzi through the chicane.
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Gary Di Pietro hunkering down after exiting La Source.
Gary Di Pietro hunkering down after exiting La Source.
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Racers’ lights carve a line through Raidillon Eau Rouge at night.
Racers’ lights carve a line through Raidillon Eau Rouge at night.
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Lovely Laverda 3C triple campaigned by Laverda Corse came in 17th.
Lovely Laverda 3C triple campaigned by Laverda Corse came in 17th.
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Team Guzzi Nerd’s Andrew Gray heads out into the dark of night.
Team Guzzi Nerd’s Andrew Gray heads out into the dark of night.
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A.V. Racing’s 1980 Honda CB900F finished 16th.
A.V. Racing’s 1980 Honda CB900F finished 16th.

Two American teams took on this year’s 4 Hours of Spa Classic, an endurance race for 1980 and older superbikes at Belgium’s iconic Spa Francorchamps circuit. It was the first time U.S. riders have ever taken part. This is their story.

“It’s like a weird sensory deprivation experience in the dark. You can smell the oil, then you can make out the oil on the track; there are lines of oil you are flying through. And then there’s smoke. Your headlight just goes ‘womp!’ — everything’s just white and wide, you whiteout, and then as you come out the other side your headlight narrows back down again to nothing. Darkness returns.”

That’s Christopher Page describing racing Spa Francorchamps in the dark. It’s a long way from Portland, Ore., to Belgium, and it’s a strange concept to figure placing four American riders among 156 Europeans on this most iconic of race circuits. On 30-year-old motorcycles. But this is the 4 Hours of Spa Classic.

Spa Classic inspiration

The four were connected, however, and Andrew Gray was the number one reason they were here. “I read about this event six or seven years ago. Then I read about how Moto Bel’, the French Guzzi team, had won and I thought, ‘That’s pretty cool.’ Then I started racing my own Guzzi three years ago. Being born European, it was a natural draw for me to come here, a new challenge,” Andrew says.

  • Published on Nov 30, 2011
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