The sweeping curves of Spa-Francorchamps once again provided the perfect stage for Spa Classic 2026, as hundreds of historic racing cars returned to one of motorsport’s most demanding circuits. From endurance prototypes and GT icons and touring car favourites, the event celebrated decades of racing history where many of these machines once wrote their own chapters.
Team Goh’s Audi R8 takes centre stage
Among the hundreds of historic racing cars present at Spa Classic, one machine drew particular attention: the Audi R8 entered by Team Goh Japan in Le Mans 2002. Widely regarded as one of the most successful endurance prototypes ever built, the R8 dominated international sports car racing in the early 2000s and became the benchmark against which every rival was measured. Chassis 501 was acquired by the Japanese Team Goh programme for the 2002 season, beginning a three-year Le Mans campaign that would eventually culminate in overall victory in 2004.
The start of Team Goh’s Le Mans story
At the 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car was entrusted to an experienced trio of Seiji Ara, four-time Le Mans winner Yannick Dalmas and Hiroki Katoh. Although it started from fifteenth on the grid and ultimately finished seventh overall, the appearance marked the beginning of Team Goh’s rise among endurance racing’s elite.
Back where it belongs
More than twenty years later, seeing the silver-and-white prototype back in competition at Spa-Francorchamps was a reminder of a golden era of endurance racing. On Sunday, Stefan Mücke took the wheel during the race, pushing the legendary machine through Eau Rouge and onto the Kemmel Straight exactly as it was designed to be driven. Amid a field packed with remarkable cars, the Audi R8 was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the weekend, its unmistakable silhouette and racing pedigree drawing attention wherever it appeared.
Spa Classic 2026 in photos
Relive the highlights of Spa Classic 2026 through our photo gallery, capturing the legendary machines and unique atmosphere that made another edition of Spa Classic a remarkable journey through motorsport history.
Photos by Erwan Séité
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