‘Chambley 9 Hours’: Our first Tazio track day was mega

Nine hours of free driving on our home track, the Chambley-Grand Est circuit near Metz, France. That is what we offered our friends who came to our very first track day, christened ‘Chambley 9 Hours’. With – among others – a Maserati 250F, a Porsche 906 and a visit from Toine Hezemans, we had plenty to talk about.

‘Chambley 9 Hours’ is the concept we came up with. Over one and a half day, we offer three sessions, each consisting of three hours of free driving. The idea came about since we found ourselves talking a lot about Chambley to others, and we wanted to share that same enthusiasm we felt when we first visited this circuit in the Moselle region with others. Suffice it to say: this worked.

Fifties feeling

Chambley is no Spa, Nürburgring or Monza. At just over 3 kilometres in length, it is a fairly technical course, but there is plenty to learn about yourself and about your car. Next to that, it is situated in a very green, natural environment. Combined with its limited facilities, you are taken right back to how racing was in the fifties: no lounges, no asphalt run-off areas. A very pure feeling.

We did not advertise our first Chambley 9 Hours much, as we considered it a practice session for ourselves in the field of event organisers as well. With eight cars, the track was never crowded and all drivers could complete their test sessions in very comfortable circumstances. The coffee stand – courtesy of Fox Coffee in Metz – turned out to be an ideal place to debrief.

Class field

With a Maserati 250F – loyal readers know this car – and a Lotus 27 Formula Junior, we had two very lovely single-seaters spreading gorgeous engine symphonies all over the track. Historic F1 driver Michael Lyons put the Lotus through its roll-out. With a Porsche 904, a 718 RS61, a 906 and a 911 Cup, Porsche was very well represented. Furthermore, a Lotus Elan and a Lotus Elite had their roll-out just before the classic racing season starts.

Hezemans

The 911 Cup was the reason Toine Hezemans showed up. “The 911 Cup was the car we entered in the Carrera Cup and in the Spa 24 Hours in the early nineties,” the 1970 Targa Florio-winner – “and so much more” – told. Hezemans brought his sons Liam – a EuroNASCAR driver – and Loris – a GT3 racer – along for some driving.

Judging by the camaraderie we perceived, the very relaxed atmosphere around the dinner table and at lunch, and the fact we did not have one single incident to deplore – and with some highly welcomed sunny spring weather in tow – we feel confident the Chambley 9 Hours concept is exactly what you need if you want to get to know your racing car in ideal conditions… or if you just want to put in some laps.

When is the next one?

Our next Chambley 9 Hours is scheduled for 16-17 October. Participation is limited, and for race cars only – no noise limits apply. If you want to join us, drop us an e-mail (dirk@taziomagazine.com).

Thank you to our catering partner Chef Alex l’Artisan des Gastronomes and Hôtel les Tuileries.