FIA SPORTSCARS HIT SPA FRANCORCHAMPS The world's most spectacular sportscars converge on arguably the world's most spectacular circuit next weekend as the 6th round of the FIA Sportscar Championship visits Spa Francorchamps in Belgium. The 4.329 mile circuit is rich in sportscar heritage having held the famous 1000kms event from 1966 until 1988, during which period racing legends such as Jacky Ickx, Brian Redman, Jo Siffert and Derek Bell emerged victorious in classic sportscars such as the Ford GT40, the Porsche 917 and the Ferrari 312PB. Now the FIA Sportscar Championship and the Royal Automobile Club De Spa have re-ignited the former glory of the Spa 1000kms with the announcement earlier this year that the classic event will return in 2003 as part of the Championship. Next weekend however, competitors, media and fans alike can get a feel for this prestigious race when the latest two and a half round of the series will see modern day sportscar greats such as former Le Mans winners Jan Lammers and Mauro Baldi take on a new breed of sportscar hero in the shape of F3000 champion elect Sebastien Bourdais, Belgium's very own Val Hillebrand and 'Super Swede' Thed Bjork. A full grid is guaranteed for the race that could see both SR1 and SR2 Championships settled on the undulating Ardennes track. While the Jan Lammers led Racing For Holland squad have a healthy lead in SR1, sportscar legend Henri Pescarolo will be fighting tooth and nail to ensure that his driver, former Sauber F1 racer - Jean Christophe Boullion still has a chance to snatch the crown. Add a brace of Lola's, another Courage, another Racing For Holland Dome, a Riley & Scott and the Italian 'specials' of R&M and Durango Formula and the action is set to be fast and frenetic. The 3-litre SR2 title race is as close as it could possibly be with a classic England versus Italy battle developing between Kent's Team Jota and Mantova's Lucchini Engineering, both of which are tied at the top of the table on 60 points. With 20 for a win, it could be winner takes all in Spa with John Stack and Sam Hignett of Jota squaring up to Lucchini's Mirko Savoldi and Fabio Mancini to wrest the championship lead. The weekend starts early at Spa next week as an action packed Media Day kicks of the 2002 Racing Festival on Thursday 19th September with passenger rides (including winners from the BBC's SportRelief initiative) in both SR1 and SR2 cars, lunch, Press Conferences and photo shoots. A full support package will also entertain with the fiercely competitive BELCAR and Toyota Yaris Trophy among others set to 'wow' the crowds. A full timetable, entry list is attached to this Press Release and a full preview will be sent to you on Saturday 14th September. For further information on accreditation for next weekend please contact Sam Smith on this address or at the office on +44 (0) 1565 751800 or fax +44 (0) 1565 751855.