#061 Bastos & Belga

by modelM43in liverieson Posted on

Published September 17, 2024 | Last update June 6, 2026 | 16 models online

Disclaimer: I do not smoke and surely do not want to promote tobacco. But neither do I ignore the fact that the tobacco industry has been quite good for motorsport in the past. So, I show the cars and models here as they were; with tobacco advertising.

Bastos and Belga are both Belgian tobacco brands (both part of British American Tobacco) and were very active in sponsoring motorsports, especially touring cars at Spa-Francorchamps. However owned by the same company, the battles between the Bastos sponsored BMWs and Belga sponsored Fords in the Belgian touring car championship were unforgetable. Also many rally cars wore the red and white that both brands use.

Bastos & Belga in the Le Mans 24 hours

1980 Le Mans 24h, Rondeau M379B
Belgian touring car veterans Martin-brothers drove this Belga Rondeau together with Gordon Spice to 3rd place, making it two Rondeaus to the podium.
Jean Rondeau #17: Gordon Spice (GB) / Jean-Michel Martin (B) / Philippe Martin (B)
Results: Start-grid 19th / time 3:59.000 / race 3rd – 330 laps
Rondeau M379B – Group 6. Powered by 3.0 liter Ford Cosworth DFV V8 90º, approx 450 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 765 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. M379 #002

  • QUARTZO QLM 99046 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #089 Rondeau

1981 Le Mans 24h, De Cadenet Lola LM
Alain de Cadenet drove this car – originally a Lola T380 – in the 70’s at Le Mans on several occasions. He returned in 1981 but failed to finish.
Alain de Cadenet #20: Alain de Cadenet (GB) / Jean-Michel Martin (B) / Philippe Martin (B)
Results: Start-grid 19th / time 3:46.690 / race DNF engine – 210 laps
De Cadenet Lola LM – Sportcars >2L: 3.0 Ford Cosworth DFV V8 90º, approx 450 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 715 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. Lola T380 #HU04

  • BIZARRE BZ80 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #117 Classic Lola

1982 Le Mans 24h, Porsche 936C
The new Group C Porsche 956 is not yet available for the Porsche customer teams. So Joest and Kremer built their own Group C based on the old 936 with its tubular frame and the Porsche 935 engine. The car is by far not as good as the new 956’s, but it’s ‘best of the rest’. Unfortunately it retires in the closing stages of the race.
Belga Team #4: Bob Wollek (F) / Jean-Michel Martin (B) / Philippe Martin (B)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 3:30.670 / race DNF engine – 314 laps
Joest Porsche 936C – Group C: Powered by 2.5 liter Porsche 911/78 flat-6 turbo, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 840 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. Joest #JR-005

  • SPARK S2002 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #072 Porsche 908 & 936 clients

Bastos & Belga in the Spa 24 hours

1978 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, Ford Capri 3.0S
The European Touring Car Championship had its best years behind, manufacturers moved away and the grids became smaller. The new Group 1B, an improved version of the Group 1 standard saloon cars was gaining importance especially in Belgium. The Gordon Spice prepared Ford Capri 3.0S in the well known Belga colors won the 24 hours race at Spa-Francorchamps. BMW 530i finished 2nd and 3rd.
Belga Castrol Team #27: Gordon Spice (GB) / Teddy Pilette (B)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 4:21.600 / race 1st – 305 laps
Ford Capri 3.0S – Group 1B >2.5L: Powered by 3.0 liter Ford Weslake V6 60º, approx. 210 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 1150 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown.

  • PREMIUM-X PR008 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #064 Ford touring

1980 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, Ford Capri 3.0S
The European Touring Car Championship for Group 2 cars had disappeared. This Group 1B for improved showroom cars had taken its place and did well. The grid was full of cars and competition was fierce, especially in the beginning of the race between the Bastos Camaro’s and the Belga Capri’s. The usual rain at Spa-Francorchamps caused many cars to retire. It was the first 24 hour race at the new shortened track. In the end this Gordon Spice prepared Capri with the Martin brothers won just as in the previous year, but it had to battle all the way to the end with the Eddie Joosen BMW 530i.
Belga Castrol Team #3: Jean-Michel Martin (B) / Philippe Martin (B)
Results: Start-grid 5th/ time 2:57.400 / race 1st – 425 laps
Ford Capri 3.0S – Group 1B >2.5L: Powered by 33.0 liter Ford Weslake V6 60º, approx. 220 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1150 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown.

  • ALTAYA passion de la vitesse 5 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS
    • Also appears in #064 Ford touring

1981 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, Chevrolet Camaro Z28
The Serge Power Chevrolet Camaro was by far the fastest car on the straights and took pole position for the 24-hour race. In the twisty part of the track and under braking it lost out to the little Mazda RX7 fromTom Walkinshaw, especially in the wet. It rained the entire Saturday and when the sun came through on Sunday morning, the Camaro had retired and the screaming Mazda was still leading the race.
Serge Power #9: Claude Bourgoignie (B) / Reine Wisell (S) / John Cooper (GB)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 2:51.250 / race DNF
Chevrolet Camaro Z28 – Group 1B: Powered by 5.7 liter Chevrolet V8 90º, approx. 280 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1400 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown.

  • SPARK 100 And de Spa 100SPA11 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #061 Bastos & Belga

1982 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW 528i
In 1982, BMW used the 4-door saloon 528i in the European Touring Car Championship. Not really a racing car at first sight, but neither was the competition: Ford Capri 3.0S, Camaro, Opel Monza 3.0E, Mazda RX-7 and Alfetta GTV. TWR got the Jaguar XJS homologated, and it was much faster than the BMWs but not as reliable. BMW 528i’s took first 6 places in the Spa 24h race, now that is reliability. The winning car was prepared by JUMA, JUliën MAmpaey, father of Bart who succesfull ran the WTCC and DTM team RBM. The name of Dieter Quester is on the car but he didn’t drive it, Hans Heyer did.
Bastos Juma Racing Team #30: Eddie Joosen (B) / Armin Hahne (D) / Hans Heyer (D)
Results: Start-grid 6th / time 2:55.520 / race 1st – 450 laps
BMW 528i (E28) – Group A, division 3: Powered by 2.8 liter BMW M30B28 straight-6, approx. 240 hp. Pirelli tires. Weight 1100 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

  • NEO 45666 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #104 BMW 5- & 6-series

1983 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW 635 CSi
The BMW 635 CSi was the most popular car in the European Touring Car Championship. It showed because no less than 16 BMW 635’s arrived at the start of the 24 hour race and also 3 older 528i’s. With these numbers it doesn’t matter if some break down and retire, which was the case. There are always some that make it to the finish. The Bastos BMW of JUMA Racing won by 8 laps over a similar car of Team Schnitzer.
Bastos Juma Racing Team #21: Thierry Tassin (B) / Hans Heyer (D) / Armin Hahne (D)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 2:47.290 / race 1st – 488 laps
BMW 635 CSi (E24) – Group A, division 3: Powered by 3.5 liter BMW M30B35 straight-6, approx. 310 hp. Pirelli tires. Weight 1185 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

  • SPARK SB064 #578 / 750 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #104 BMW 5- & 6-series

1985 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW 635 CSi
The BMW 635 CSi has been the most popular car in the European Touring Car Championship for years. They lost the 24 hour race to Jaguar last year, but Schnitzer prepared cars took a double victory this year in front of two Volvo turbo’s. Positions 5 to 8 were also for BMW’s. This beautiful Belga car crashed unfortunately.
Belga Juma Racing #23: Manfred Winkelhock (D) / Hervé Regout (B) / Jo Gartner (A)
Results: Start-grid 11th / time 2:43.900 / race DNF accident – 181 laps
BMW 635 CSi (E24) – Group A, division 3: Powered by 3.5 liter BMW M30B35 straight-6, approx. 310 hp. Pirelli tires. Weight 1185 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

  • SPARK SB066 #310 / 500 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #104 BMW 5- & 6-series

1986 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, Rover Vitesse
In 1986 Walkinshaw entered the factory supported Rovers in the European Touring Car Championship. The Rovers lacked reliability in the 24-hour race, two out of three retired in Spa. In the shorter races of the ETCC, the Rovers were strong: Walkinshaw and Percy won three times and finished just behind Roberto Ravaglia (BMW) in the championship.
TWR – Bastos Texaco Racing #8: Win Percy (GB) / Eddy Joosen (B) / Tom Walkinshaw (GB)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 2:37.800 / race DNF rear axle – 383 laps
Rover Vitesse SD1 – Group A ETCC: Powered by 3.5 Rover V8 90º, approx. 350 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1200 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown.

  • NEO 45586 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #119 Touring cars

1988 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW M3
The BMW M3 (E30) is the successor of the big 635 CSi in group A touring cars. 1988 saw great racing between Ford and BMW. The Fords with their turbo-engines won most races and the title, but Francorchamps is BMW territory; the Germans already won 5 out of the last 6 races. With the double points he earned with his win at Spa, Italian Roberto Ravaglia took the European Touring Car Championship drivers title just as in the previous year.
BMW Motorsport / Schnitzer #56: Roberto Ravaglia (I) / Dieter Quester (A) / Altfrid Heger (D)
Results: Start-grid 6th / time 2:27.930 / race 1st – 509 laps
BMW M3 – Group A, division 2: Powered by 2.3 liter BMW S14B23 straight-4, approx. 300 hp. Yokohama tires. Weight 960 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E30 #unknown

  • IXO Hekorsa HE 033D (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #034 BMW Motorsport part I / #114 BMW 4-cylinder engines part II

1989 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworth
The Eggenberger Sierra’s won the World (1987) and European (1988) Championships for makes, but the 24 hour race at Francorchamps was for BMW both years. In 1989, under good weather conditions, the Sierra’s in their new Bastos livery were unbeatable.
Eggenberger #1: Gianfranco Brancatelli (I) / Win Percy (GB) / Bernd Schneider (D)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 2:36.880 / race 1st – 481 laps
Ford Sierra RS 500 – Group A, division 3: Powered by 2.0 Ford Cosworth straight-4 turbo, approx. 500 hp. Pirelli tires. Weight 1035 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown.

  • TROFÉU 011 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #064 Ford touring

1992 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW M3
By 1992 the famous 24 hour race at Spa-Francorchamps had lost much of its glory. The European championship had seized to exist and that became visible in the entry list. Four BMW factory cars were present, no group A cars but the much improved sport evo in DTM specs Two cars were entered by Bigazzi and two bySchnitzer. The only resistance could have come from a single group A Skyline but that had to retire due to a fire. The rest of the competitors were standard cup-Porsches and national touring cars. Of course BMW won and the Germans filled the entire podium, this one on the highest step. But that was not without a fight; Soper overtook the leading Schnitzer BMW at the start of the last lap!
BMW Fina Bastos Team/Bigazzi #5: Steve Soper (GB) / Jean-Michel Martin (B) / Christian Danner (A)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 2:31.560 / race 1st – 513 laps
BMW M3 (E30) sport evo – Group A DTM specs: Powered by 2.5 liter BMW S14B25 straight-4, approx. 350 hp. Yokohama tires. Weight 950 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown.

  • SPARK SB069 #322 / 750 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #114 BMW 4-cylinder engines part II

1995 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW 320iS E36
The Spa 24 hour race was at a low in the mid 90’s. It was a non-championship race with merely locals driving around in their near standard cars. Luckily a few teams entered Super Touringcars, among them BMW. The Schnitzer prepared BMW 320iS won the race, 9 laps ahead of the Bigazzi team BMW. The 3rd placed car, a Honda Accord, was no less than 30 laps (!) behind.
BMW Fina Bastos Team #8: Peter Kox (NL) / Joachim Winkelhock (D) / Steve Soper (GB)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 2:32.970 / race 1st – 518 laps
BMW 320iS – Super Touring cars: Powered by 2.0 liter BMW S14B20 straight-4, approx. 260 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1000 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. BMW E36 STC 95/012

  • MINICHAMPS BMW 80 42 9 421 113 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #061 Bastos & Belga / #012 Schnitzer

Bastos & Belga in the Belgian Championship

1993 Belgian Procar, Audi V8 Quattro
In 1993 the DTM started with a new format. The former generation found its way to other championships among which also hillclimbs. Belgian Audi Club, with help of the local VW-Audi distributor, managed to lay its hands on two former DTM Audi Quattro evo’s. Pierre-Alain Thibaut won the Belgian Procar championship with 4 wins, his teammate Hemroulle finishes 4th.
Belgian Audi Club #1: Pierre-Alain Thibaut (B)
Results: 4 victories / 1st championship
Audi V8 Quattro evo – Procar: Powered by 3.6 liter Audi V8 90º,approx. 420 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1290 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. Audi R6 #unknown.

  • MINICHAMPS 931120 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #077 Audi Touring en GT

1997 Zolder 24h, Porsche 911 GT2
This Porsche 911 GT2 was raced in the Belgian Endurance Championship, named Belcar. One of the drivers was Belgian rally ace Patrick Snijers. It didn’t make the start of the annual 24 hour race at Zolder which was won by Dutchman Patrick Huisman in a similar car.
Fina Bastos #2: Patrick Snijers (B) / Dirk Schoysman (B) / Kurt Thiers (B)
Results: race DNS
Porsche 911 GT2 (993) – Belcar GT: Powered by 3.6 liter Porsche M64/81 flat-6 turbo, approx. 500 hp. Pirelli tires. Weight 1150 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown.

  • ONYX XCL99002 #419 / 2000 pcs (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 2 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

Rally

1986 European Rally Championship Haspengouwe rally, Lancia 037
Patrick Snijers was favourite in the Haspengouwe rally in his works supported Lancia 037. Unfortunately, he had to retire because of a blown head gasket on special stage 8. The victory went to Robert Droogmans in a similar car.
Bastos Team #1: Patrick Snijers (B) / Dany Colebunders (B)
Results: DNF
Lancia 037- Group B: Powered by 2.0 liter Abarth 232 AR4 straight-4 compressor, approx 280 hp. Pirelli tires. 960 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. Abarth SE37 #unknown

  • IXO RAC341 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #057 Lancia

Thanks for visiting 😉

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *