Report: Peter Baker Retro-Speed Magazine (www.retro-speed.co.uk)

After enduring weeks of typically dismal UK weather it was a real pleasure to arrive in a Spain where polo shirts and shorts were order of the day. My early morning flight out of Birmingham also allowed me a full three days at the challenging Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya racetrack, playing host to eight grids, courtesy Peter Auto, organiser of the Le Mans Classic Series. 

All categories enjoyed plenty of track time, with Friday morning providing a laid back atmosphere where teams could come and go, making final preparation before afternoon qualifying. Historic race drivers fall into two groups, those who discipline themselves, slowly putting all the pieces together, and those who just can't wait to prove they're the quickest on the planet, erratic is the best description, laps punctuated with several off-circuit excursions. Of course this provides great photo opportunities. 

Actual racing got underway on Saturday morning with forty-five minutes allocated to the Gentlemen Challenge. Well supported and dominated by various reincarnations of Lister. Brits John Spiers and Nigel Greensall put in a fine performance, winning race 2. The pair of Group C races were, shall we say, a bit boring. I was at Le Mans when Jaguar eventually won the 24 Hours, so whenever a Silk Cut livered Jaguar appears on track, I expect it to blow up, or win. Neither happened. Just six cars finished race 1, the Jaguar second, while in race 2 the finishers numbered only five, Olivier Galant piloting the Jaguar into first place. 

There was no race for pre-66 saloon cars, which was disappointing, so one had to make do with the Heritage Touring Cup, for the likes of Ford Capri, Escort, and BMW CSLs, plus a lone Rover SD1 and Alfa Romeo. It was very competitive but the cars don't lift wheels like they used to, something to do with advanced, hidden technology. Ford came first, chased by BMW. Just like Mass and Peterson at Silverstone back in 1975. So great entertainment for an old codger like me who remembers these things.

Other races for Endurance cars provided much noise and was a Porsche 911 (read 996) lovers paradise. Against a plethora of ex- works machinery it was the smooth driving of James Thorpe and Phil Quaif (2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2) that paid off, seemingly winning without breaking into a sweat. Well done guys. The F1 demo was a farce, even though teams were promised plenty of free track time for testing. Only the McLaren stirred the imagination.

I was just getting used to the sunshine, and leisurely pace of Spanish life, when reality kicked in. So it was 'adios' to Barcelona, and hello Birmingham airport where yes, you've guessed it, the rain was beating down, not funny when dressed in shorts and polo shirt. Ends