Here we are once again at the world's finest of race tracks. It's not even arguable whether that statement is accurate. The Circuit de Spa Franchorchamp just is!

The first round of the European season at Mugello had the usual drama and intrigue culminating in an overall Porsche 1-2. And having personally competed, as team manager, many times at Spa for various teams in various series, I have never been too far away from drama and intrigue myself at this glorious track.

In last year’s 'Behind Garage Doors' column, I told the story about winning a round of the 'Clio Cup Italia' Series. I mentioned also that we were quickly disqualified from that win. The story starts with our team competing in the Clio Cup Series in the UK, as part of the support package for the 2007 British Touring Car Championship. It was the first year of the Clio 197 model in the UK, and we were also running two cars in the six-hour Britcar event at Spa, which was supported by a round of the Clio Cup Italia Championship.

I contacted the organisers and they were delighted to accept our entries for the weekend. I put it to our Clio drivers and two of them took up the challenge. Alan Taylor, a 48-year-old fishmonger who would also be competing in the six-hour race, thought it a great idea to take his Clio to Spa. Plus, it would give him even more time to drive on-track. Alan usually ran mid-pack in the UK, about half-a-second off pole in 20th place (2007 was a very competitive season in UK Clios). The other driver was a 20-year-old called Micky Doyle, the son of a Glaswegian garage owner who was no stranger to the three steps of a Clio Cup podium.

CREVENTIC’s no stranger to Renault Clios at Spa-Francorchamps. And neither’s Joe, given his memories of a one-off Clio Cup Italia outing in 2007. Incidentally, Team Sally Racing (above) took A2 honours at the 2017 Hankook 12H SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS.

Off we went on our Italian adventure in the rolling countryside of the Ardennes region of Belgium. There was an abundance of track time for us in the Clios: two-hour practice sessions in the morning and afternoon, followed by qualifying the following day. Doyle soon established himself at the top of the timing screens with a comfortable margin in each session including qualifying, giving him pole position for the race.

In the race itself, Micky was never headed, sublime in his victory, leading the whole field across the line at the chequered flag.

Micky took the top step of the podium, and as there was a huge trophy for the team as well, I was up there too. What a fabulous day it was turning out to be!

Then, as quickly as the rejoicing began, it was quickly quelled by a call to the Race Stewards office, where we were informed that we had been disqualified from the race on a technicality, as neither our engine nor our gearbox had 'Renault Sport Italia' regulation seals. 

We did, however, have 'Renault Sport UK' regulation seals, which of course were exactly the same, just that we were running in a different nation’s Clio Cup Series. 

The Italian organisers were beside themselves, as it had never crossed their minds this would be an issue. The Belgian stewards could only apply the written regulations, which clearly stated 'Renault Sport ITALIA' engine and gearbox seals. They had nowhere to go on this other than to disqualify us for this discrepancy. 

My young Scottish driver had a typically Glaswegian reaction to the news. We also have to give back the £500 prize money, which for a Scotsman, was even more galling for Micky! 

As we came out of the stewards’ office, there were the members of the protesting team, ready to be awarded the win. I could only applaud them, as I thought it utter brilliance to catch us out on this technicality.

Tempted as he was to sort the entire matter out in his own way, I was able to calm Micky down by discreetly mentioning that I'd arranged for the trophies to be put ‘out of the way’ at the back of our truck.

He still has the trophy and the 'Teams' trophy is still in the possession of my chief mechanic! 

#ThisIsEndurance