Legend Boucles @ Bastogne 2020

The ‘Classic’ category split into ‘Classic 60’ and ‘Classic 50’!

Within the Royal Automobile Club de Spa, organisers of the Legend Boucles @ Bastogne, they are permanently cogitating. If on the one hand this classic winter event focussed on classic machines can take full advantage of an exceptional course in the province of Luxembourg, the running of the 2019 edition, characterised by extreme climatic conditions, gave pause for thought for more than one …
“Since the Legend Boucles moved to the region of Bastogne, it’s the first time that we have been confronted with weather conditions in keeping with the calendar, Pierre Delettre explained. The thaw following the heavy snow falls made the course highly tricky, notably on Sunday in the forest, and the average speeds to be kept to, notably in ‘Classic’, suddenly became pretty heavy. Numerous teams were forced to retire, some with damaged cars, whilst others were just worried, especially in the forest sections. Mercifully, there were no serious incidents, but in exchanging views with the competitors, we perceived an unease linked to the sporting character of these Legend Boucles, principally in the ‘Classic’ category. »
In concertation with Eric Chapa, responsible for the course, Etienne Massillon, the new Clerk of the Course, and Xavier Schene, the man heading up RACB Sport, the decision to split the ‘Classic’ category into two distinct classes was approved … “In ‘Classic’ the average speed up until now was to be 60 km/h, maximum speed adapted to the terrain and/or the conditions, Pierre Delettre continued. Which, in the case of cars often close to the standard series, could prove to be risky should conditions take a turn for the worse. It goes without saying that certain competitors enjoy such a challenge, but for others it has probably become rather too complicated. As such for the 2020 edition we opted to create a ‘Classic 50’ category, which will complement the ‘Classic 60’ category, and which should perfectly suit the smaller engines. Quite clearly the aim is to be reduce the pace, and to allow some of them the find their place and take full pleasure of these Legend Boucles @ Bastogne…”
Between now and the end of the week the official Legend Boucles @ Bastogne site (www.racspa.be/2020.lb2020/) will be adapted, and all competitors wishing to register in ‘Classic’ will have the option between ‘Classic 60’ and ‘Classic 50’. All teams already fully in order with their registration in ‘Classic’ will automatically be slotted into ‘Classic 60’. Should they wish to move over to ‘Classic 50’, they will merely need to send an email to info@racspa.be to confirm same, and the administration will be carried out.
The entry costs in ‘Classic 50’ remain identical to those of the ‘Classic 60’ category. As for the necessity to fit a roll-over bar in the cars – these regulations have been put back to 2022, and as reminder -, it might not be applicable to the ‘Classic 50’ category. Discussions are presently on-going regarding this matter, but in no way does it concern the 2020 and 2021 editions. Worth noting that the ‘Classic 50’ competitors will start off after the ‘Classic 60’, both on Saturday and Sunday.
By proceeding in this way, we hope that certain competitors will feel more at ease, especially as we’re treating them to a truly winter type rally in just twelve months, Pierre Delettre concluded. Competitors now have one month to register in ‘Legend’ (Target Time), ‘Challenger’ (80 km/h), ‘Classic 60’ (60 km/h) and ‘Classic 50’ (50 km/h), whereas the ‘Demo’ category will be subject to the acceptance of files presented by those interested, and only upon invitation.” Wait and see …