July 1924, Spa-Francorchamps. It's dark, and 200 acetylene lamps are barely illuminating a 15-kilometer circuit winding through the Belgian Ardennes. The headlights of the cars of the time weren't enough, so they improvised as best they could. In the lead car, an Italian mechanic named Attilio Marinoni clings to his seat—he has to stay in that box for a full 24 hours, it's the rules. Outside, fireworks light up the Belgian sky. It's the first edition of the 24 Hours of Spa, and no one suspects that we've just witnessed the birth of the second-oldest endurance race in the world.

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Because yes, contrary to what one might think, the 24 Hours of Spa were born only a year after those of Le Mans . While Le Mans was celebrating its first edition in 1923, the Belgians were already asking themselves "what about us?". As a result, in 1924, Spa-Francorchamps organized its own 24-hour race. And I am fascinated by this era when endurance races were created like bakeries were opened - with passion and without really knowing if it would work.

The first winners, Henri Springuel and Maurice Becquet, completed 1,800 kilometers in their Bignan 2L. 1,800 kilometers in 24 hours on a 15-kilometer circuit in the middle of nowhere , with only acetylene lamps for lighting and the hope that the brakes would hold up. Honestly, hats off to you guys.

The Roaring Twenties of Attilio Marinoni

But the real hero of this era is this famous Attilio Marinoni I was telling you about. This guy is a mechanic at Alfa Romeo who will achieve something absolutely crazy: win three consecutive victories between 1928 and 1930. Three times in a row! Can you believe it?

And the craziest thing about all this is his 1930 victory. Picture this: lead driver Pietro Ghersi injures his knee during a pit stop. Marinoni, who until then had been the mechanic, puts on his helmet and takes the wheel to finish the race. He wins . Just like that, easy. A mechanic who becomes a driver along the way and wins the 24 Hours of Spa, honestly, you couldn't make it up.

It would take until 1982—52 years!—for Hans Heyer to finally equal this record of three consecutive victories. Can you imagine Attilio's class? I sometimes think that in those heroic days, guys really had balls of hardened steel.

Alfa Romeo's Domination

Moreover, between 1929 and 1938, Alfa Romeo literally crushed the competition at Spa. Five additional victories with the 6C and 8C models . It's simple, when you saw an Alfa arrive, you already knew who was going to win. The Italians had found the magic recipe: powerful engines, decent reliability for the time, and drivers who were afraid of nothing.

But hey, all good stories must come to an end. The 1929 crisis hit the automotive world hard, and in 1934, 1935, and 1937, there was no 24 Hours of Spa. Money was tight, manufacturers were tightening their belts, and endurance racing took second place to corporate survival. That's also the story of the automobile: boom times followed by lean times.

Luigi Chinetti's unique feat

1949. Luigi Chinetti achieves something absolutely extraordinary that has never been repeated since: he wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans AND the 24 Hours of Spa in the same year . The same driver, the same year, the two biggest European endurance races. And you know the craziest thing? It's practically the same Ferrari that wins both races!

After his victory at Le Mans, the Ferrari team quickly repaired the car and took it to Spa the following weekend. Chinetti shared the wheel with a certain Simon, and they won the Belgian race. Two victories in 24 hours with practically the same car - that's what you call Italian efficiency.

This unique performance in the history of motorsport still makes me dream. Imagine the atmosphere in the Ferrari team: "So guys, we won at Le Mans last Sunday, what are we doing this weekend?" - "Well... are we going to win at Spa too?" And they did, the bastards.

Rebirth thanks to Paul Frère

After the war and the difficult years, Spa stopped running between 1954 and 1963. Ten years of interruption is a long time for a legendary race. But fortunately, there are enthusiasts who don't give up. Paul Frère, journalist-driver and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960, joined forces with Hubert de Harlez of the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium to revive the event in 1964.

And then they had a brilliant idea: to differentiate themselves from Le Mans by reserving Spa for touring cars . While Le Mans hosted the most extreme prototypes and sports cars, Spa repositioned itself on "racing sedans". It was clever, it avoided direct competition and it created a unique identity for the Belgian event.

This strategy would bear fruit for decades. From 1964 to 2000, Spa became THE touring car event in Europe, attracting the best drivers and the biggest brands. Ultimately, Paul Frère was right: rather than copying Le Mans, it was better to create his own identity.

The Tragedy of the Russian Prince

Well, I've saved you an absolutely crazy anecdote for 1931. That year, Mercedes arrived at Spa with a monstrous car: a 7.1-liter SSK designed by Ferdinand Porsche . Yes, THE Porsche, the one that would give its name to the brand we all know.

At the wheel were Geffredo Zehender and Russian Prince Dimitri Jorjadze. A Russian prince in exile since the 1917 revolution, he found himself a racing driver in Belgium. The story could have been romantic, but it ended well: they took Mercedes' first victory at Spa, taking advantage of electrical problems on the leading Alfa Romeo.

This victory is symbolic in more ways than one. It's German revenge against Italian domination, but it's also the story of a fallen Russian aristocrat who finds redemption on the European circuit. Frankly, Hollywood couldn't have done a better script.

The BMW era and the Martin brothers

If we had to name the modern era of Spa, it would be the "BMW era." 25 wins out of 75 editions , that's what we call domination. Between 1964 and 2000, BMW transformed Spa into a private playground, racking up victories with the 2002, the 3.0 CSL, the M3, and so on.

And in this Bavarian success story, there is one name that keeps coming up: Jean-Michel Martin . This Belgian driver won four victories at the 24 Hours of Spa, including two with his brother Philippe in 1979 and 1980. Four victories! He equaled Attilio Marinoni's record set in the 1930s.

The Martin brothers at Spa are a bit like the Müller brothers in bobsleigh or the Williams sisters in tennis: a family bond dedicated to performance. Imagine the atmosphere at the Martin house when they came home with the trophy : "So, boys, what did you win this time?"

Even today, I have this shop BernardMiniatures.fr where I bring together more than 1,500 miniature cars, mainly 1/43 scale. And you know what? The Spa BMWs have a special place in my collection. These M3 Group A, these 3.0 CSLs in their period colors, they remind me why I fell in love with this heroic era of touring cars.

Plus, I make sure to wrap everything well with bubble wrap because these little cars break easily. And since I'm not a big site, I often only have one or two pieces of each model, but that's also what makes it charming. Delivery is free from €75 in France, and frankly, when you hold a little BMW from Spa in your hands, it's a bit like you're suddenly rediscovering that whole era.

If you're interested, take a look at bernardminiatures.fr - you'll see, I have some gems that are really worth a look. BMWs, of course, but also Mercedes, Alfa Romeos, and even a few French cars that shone at Spa.

Now, let's get back to our Belgian sheep...

The circuit of all dangers

Because we need to address the elephant in the room: Spa was magnificent but terribly dangerous . Between 1964 and 1975, six editions were marred by fatal accidents. Nine drivers lost their lives. Nine families were torn apart over a car race.

The old Spa track was 14 kilometers of pure pleasure and terror mixed together. Endless straights where cars reached crazy speeds, blind bends in the forest, bumps that sent cars flying... It was magnificent and deadly at the same time.

In 1979, they shortened the circuit to less than 7 kilometers. Gone were the long escapades in the Ardennes forest, replaced by a safer but necessarily less legendary route. It was necessary; we can't sacrifice lives for the sake of spectacle, but it remains a small pang in the heart for all lovers of the old Spa.

The evolution towards GTs

Over the decades, Spa has evolved with the times. A World Sports Car Championship in 1953 and 1981, and a European Touring Car Championship from 1966 to 1973 , the Belgian event has moved between different categories depending on fashions and regulations.

Since 2011, it's the GT3 era. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari... all the major manufacturers are there with their 500-hp cars standardized for performance balance. It's different from the heroic era of touring cars, but it's still very high-level.

And I admit that I have a little weakness for this modern period. These GT3s, they are so beautiful and powerful! Well, they are not yet old enough for my shop which focuses on 1950-1999, but in a few years, who knows?

The centenary in 2024

2024 marks a symbolic milestone: the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Spa . A century of history, drama, joy, and technical and sporting evolution. From the 200 acetylene lamps of 1924 to today's ultra-modern LED lighting, what a journey we've come!

Today, Spa has established itself as the biggest GT race in the world. More than 50 cars at the start, drivers from all over the world, factory teams, a dream field. It's become HUGE, and it's deserved.

But deep down, what touches me most about this century-old story is this continuity. From Marinoni the mechanic-driver to the current stars of GT, there is this same passion for endurance, this same desire to push one's limits for 24 hours . The cars have changed, safety has improved, but the spirit remains the same.

The Eternal Legacy

Do you know what fascinates me most about the story of the 24 Hours of Spa? It's that this race was born out of the desire not to be outdone by Le Mans . The Belgians said to themselves, "We can also do a 24-hour race," and they created something unique.

For 100 years, Spa has maintained its distinct identity. While Le Mans focused on prototypes and pure speed, Spa focused on touring cars and accessibility. While Le Mans became increasingly technical and closed, Spa remained open and friendly.

Even today, the spirit is still there. Spa is this race where a gentleman driver can share his car with a factory driver, where amateurs rub shoulders with professionals, where passion takes precedence over business. Well, not always over business, let's not dream, but you get the idea.

From Marinoni the mechanic who became a triple winner to Chinetti and his historic Le Mans-Spa double, from the Martin brothers and their four victories to the domination of BMW, from the 200 acetylene lamps of 1924 to modern GT3s... this race has survived a century while retaining its soul.

And that's what I like most about the history of Spa: it's proof that even against a giant like Le Mans, you can create your own legend . You just need to have an idea, passion, and above all, never give up.

So the next time you hear about the 24 Hours of Spa, remember Attilio Marinoni and his three consecutive victories, Luigi Chinetti and his impossible one-two, the Martin brothers and their brotherly bond. Remember that this race represents 100 years of automotive history, courage, and passion.

And who knows? Maybe in 100 years, we'll still be talking about this little Belgian race born in the Ardennes in 1924, which challenged Le Mans and created its own legend. Because ultimately, that's the spirit of endurance: to last, to persevere, and to write history lap after lap, hour after hour.