European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 28, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Touring cars lined up just before Start of 24-hour race last to be run on the famous 8.7-mile spa Franco champs circuit in enc of an automotive Story and photos by Randy Barnetts a Auto racing columnists Ith the recent 24-hour race for tour ing cars on the famous spa Franco champs Road circuit an automotive Era passed into history. The race marked the last major event p. Ever to be held on the Scenic old track in the belgian ardennes an area As famous for world War ii Battles As it is for automobile racing. The original circuit was once lined by Trees an houses prompted former grand prix Star Innes Ireland to remark it s really something going past somebody Doorstep at 180 Miles an hour.1 but with More safety measures demanded guard rail surrounded the track making it impossible for Drivers to zip past doorsteps at 180 or so. But even Guardrail could t keep the old circuit going. Once the scene of the annual belgian grand prix the 53-year old track was the fastest in the world of Road racing and the Road was a Public one. After a race a Spectator could hop in his car and drive around the track As Long As he pleased. But no More. The 8.7-mile layout will soon be chopped to 4.3 Miles and it will be a modern closed circuit used for racing Only. The belgians Hope to have the new track ready in time for next year s 24-hour touring car event and Hope fully for the 1980 belgian grand prix. The last grand prix held at spa Franco champs was after q race a Spectator could hop in his car and drive around the track As Long As he pleased. Held in 1970, and it was won by the fiery mexican Driver Pedro Rodriquez. Trouble had been brewing Long before that race with the safety brigade led chiefly by Scotland s Jackie Stewart wanting to Boycott the race. They finally agreed to run but demanded and obtained a slow turn chicane in the Almedy Section. During practice More safety demands were made which led Rodriquez Belgium s Jacky Tackx and the Swiss racer to Siffert among others to term the safety advocates  this charge came during a Drivers meeting and there was bad feeling All around. Rodriquez who feared nothing would race anywhere in fair or foul weather conditions. Like icky he was a racer strictly from the old  in the 1970 belgian event lie drove a British Brm and took the Check ered Flag just 1.1. Seconds ahead of new calander Chris Amon s March. A it had been a Superb race and it was a maj pc Victory for Rodriguez. It was to be his last rec following year when his Ferrari sports car burned in a race in Germany. Rodriguez won that Day in Belgium at m i Speed of Iso Miles an hour. Eight years later on the grand prix scene,.average Speed comes on the austrian circuit Weg where the average is about 135.Rodriguez averaged his Iso Mph during so. Miles while today s Gas Are limited to under 3h.