CSCC Guide to Racing at Spa in 2026
- CSCC Staff
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
In 2026 the CSCC returns to the Spa Summer Classic, where the club has two grids and promotes the headline 3 Hours race too.
Many of you are asking questions, the commonest being:
When are you opening entries to Spa? The Spa 3 Hours opens on Tuesday 27th January at 10am. CSCC 40 minute grids will open for entry at some time in February, we will give you at least 48 hours notice before doing so.
Which days are we racing, so we can plan our channel crossings/work etc.
We don't know and we can't guess either. We have asked the question of our Belgian friends and will share this with you as soon as we know.
On to the guide.....
If you have raced with us at Spa before you can skip a section or two. If you are new to Spa and racing overseas, here is an overview. As always, you must also read and absorb the regulations and terms for the meeting, when available: https://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/race-calendar
Is it worth it?
If you are reading this, you probably already know the answer. Yes! Spa remains one of the worlds best circuits, loved not just for the ribbon of tarmac featuring Eau Rouge and Blanchimont, but for the atmosphere and history as well. If budget allows, it should be on every racers list of circuits to race at, it is absolutely worth the time and money to get there.
Tell me about the CSCC races.
The CSCC has two grids of cars in 2026, one for classics, the other for modern cars, with our individual categories within each.
Both modern and classic grids will have 30 minutes of qualifying and 2 x 40 minute races, spread across multiple days. Both will be on mixed grids, with a variety of cars, speeds and experience, but don't let that put you off. At 4.3 miles long there is plenty of space for the field to spread out after the rolling starts.
Each category will stick to their own rules on eligibility and pit stops, or in the case of the Ramair BMW Championship, no pit stop.
This isn't an open pipe event, but if your car passes UK noise limits, it should have no issue with the drive-by limit (no static test here). Leave the exhaust alone is our advice.
Do you have a timetable? Not at the time of writing. A timetable will be available in the coming weeks, we don't yet know whether our final race will be on Saturday or Sunday.
Most drivers arrive on Wednesday evening (you won't be allowed in until early evening), so they are set up and ready for optional Thursday testing sessions (booked on the day with the Belgians), can get signed on and kit checked and also the car scrutineered by our CSCC Chief Scrutineer Tony Harman, together with Belgian officials. It is possible to arrive on Thursday too and plenty of CSCC drivers do this, but for your first time it is recommended to give yourself a less pressured introduction, along with a test session or two to learn the track. We plan to have welcome drinks and nibbles on Thursday evening, in the paddock.
Friday will have the mandatory drivers briefing, where a lot of information is covered, followed by qualifying. The pairs of CSCC races could take place across Friday, Saturday or Sunday, tbc. The Spa 3 Hours 45 minutes of qualifying is usually on Friday evening, the 3 Hours race itself is usually on Saturday evening. If you're not in the race, it's the perfect time to walk and spectate around the circuit.
The paddock atmosphere is relaxed, with plenty of time between each track sessions, with snacks and food on site and hotels around the area.
Will I get a place? Probably, but you will need to be fast once entries open (we will give 48+ hours notice). Entries will likely sell out on both grids. The club needs support in the UK to make racing overseas viable, so please support us at our Donington Test Day and/or Donington meeting in March to maximise your chance of getting a place.
Paddock Paddock space is tight, trailers MUST be moved to the trailer park, not hidden around the back or used as part of the camp set up, sorry this is a meeting rule we must be seen to follow.
What are the technical differences between racing with the CSCC in the UK and at Spa?
Overseas CSCC events broadly follow the 2026 Motorsport UK National Competition Rules, with the following important equipment differences (subject to any updated 2026 regulations):
Race suits and mandatory fireproof underwear (excluding socks) must carry an FIA hologram.
Helmets must meet current FIA standards (Snell-only helmets are not sufficient).
Drivers must hold a minimum Motorsport UK ‘Race National’ licence. To upgrade from a 'Race Club' licence, you must obtain six qualifying race signatures/results and pay the additional licence fee to Motorsport UK. To confirm, you don't need an international licence.
FIA-approved, in-date seats are required in all cars (Non-FIA seats such as some from Tillet are not permitted). Exceptions are:
Period-defined FIA Appendix K cars using original seats.
Seven-type cars using a moulded foam seat within the chassis.
FIA-homologated roll-cage padding is required around the driver’s head.
FIA fuel bags must be in date. Custom fuel tanks must be foam-filled. Standard production tanks are acceptable and don't need foam.
Seat belt expiry dates are as shown on the label — Motorsport UK extensions do not apply overseas, only go by the date printed on the label. You don't need window nets or wrist restraints when racing within the CSCC grids at Spa.
Meeting-specific safety requirements will be published on the CSCC event page.
To Carnet or not to Carnet, that is the question:
The CSCC has a history of taking its members abroad to race. Following Brexit, many CSCC drivers have continued to compete successfully at EU events, with hundreds of members crossing the Channel to race with us at Spa-Francorchamps and in 2025, Zolder.
The vast majority of drivers have travelled without an ATA Carnet (a licence for the temporary export of goods to and from the EU) and experienced no issues. A small number of drivers were stopped by customs, mainly in late 2023 and early 2024, with some being fined or turned back. These cases remain very much the exception, not the norm.
We are pleased to confirm that no CSCC drivers reported any border issues when travelling to our July 2025 Zolder event and September Spa Six Hours event, despite most travelling without a Carnet.
As has always been the case, the final decision rests with the individual customs officer in their respective country. While a Carnet can sometimes help, it is not a guarantee of smooth passage and comes with both cost and administrative burden. For this reason, most CSCC members towing their own race car continue to travel without one. We will give you a lot of information below, so you can make an informed choice, it's not meant to scare you.
Risk vs Reward
For many drivers, the opportunity to race overseas at world-class circuits outweighs the relatively small risk of border delays.
Preparation is key: ensure your paperwork is in order, remain polite and cooperative, and consider a Carnet if it suits your personal circumstances and appetite for risk. This guide should be read in full before making that decision.
We would like to thank all members who have shared their first-hand experiences, which have helped shape this updated guidance.
Trailer Registration (From End of August 2025)
From late August 2025, car-carrying trailers travelling into most EU countries (including France, Belgium and the Netherlands) must be registered if they exceed 750kg (gross weight including the car). That said, a number of members have followed the correct process to find they don’t need to register after all, if this happens please take a copy of the on-screen decision.
Registration fee: £26
The trailer must display its own registration plate
You must carry the registration certificate
Further details can be found on the UK government website here
Carnets – What You Need to Know
Some CSCC members may require a Carnet, while others may not. Unfortunately, no absolute guarantees can be given, as decisions ultimately depend on the interpretation of customs officials in each country.
To quote the gov.uk website 'ATA Carnets are international customs documents used for the suspension of duties where goods will be re-exported within a year.'
An ATA Carnet is often described as a passport for goods, allowing temporary export without paying duties, provided the items are re-exported within 12 months. Carnets are designed primarily for commercial activities, not private individuals transporting their own possessions.
While Chambers of Commerce may be willing to issue a Carnet, this does not automatically mean one is necessary or beneficial. Carnets involve additional cost, application time, and mandatory stamping when leaving and re-entering the UK and EU.
You may not need a Carnet if:
You are a non-professional competitor, with no financial gain.
Your race car is road legal and you may plan to use it on the road, supported by documentation
You are towing the car yourself using a private vehicle or motorhome (with necessary paperwork).
You are not carrying wheels and have minimal tools and spares (fuel, oil and grease are acceptable, subject to any ferry/tunnel restrictions). It should be noted that many do carry wheels, but they are not regarded as consumables.
You can show return travel arrangements and demonstrate that you are a tourist on holiday, who happens to be taking part in an amateur event.
Crossing to Holland; evidence suggest a Dutch crossing may be less likely to incur an issue with customs, although recent experience has shown the French crossings to be ok too.
Trying the relatively new Temporary Importation Relief method may work, but we are uncertain if this has any effect.
You may need a Carnet if:
Your race car is not road legal. Produce a bill of sale, showing you are the owner. Any other useful documentation for the race car may help, such as FIA papers and/or Motorsport UK vehicle passport. Customs seem particularly keen on verifying VIN numbers.
Your tow vehicle is a van or larger vehicle, particularly if it appears commercial. If the vehicle is unmarked (no race team stickers), you are the registered owner with the proper paperwork, and you aren’t carrying goods for ‘hire or reward’, you may be fine. Issues are more likely with larger vehicles, which can suggest a commercial operation, or if it looks like a motorsport team vehicle—e.g., a VW T5 carrying four mechanics in team gear.
You are carrying a larger quantity of tools and spares beyond what could be argued as beyond essentials to run the permitted vehicle. You may want to consider transporting these items in a different vehicle.
The overall setup could reasonably be interpreted as a business operation.
You will almost certainly need a Carnet if:
Your car is transported by a race team.
You are racing for financial or commercial gain.
You are carrying significant quantities of spares or equipment deemed to be goods. It has been impossible to establish what quantity or type the threshold may be and what the UK officials are briefed. Most drivers have got through with no issues, with spares, tools and wheels provided they fall into category 1 or 2 above. However, a few have been stopped, including a 2023 example when crossing from Hull for a track day, where customs insisted the wheels and spares required a carnet.
Whilst the two are not strictly linked, if you require a Carnet for business or commercial purposes you will probably also need a standard international goods vehicle operator licence, if you are transporting goods for hire or reward, this can even include cars towing trailers.
If you travel with a Carnet, everything listed must return with you (excluding consumables). For example, if you took out a spare engine to Spa and fitted it to replace the one that went pop into many pieces, you must bring back the broken one, else it could be assumed you'd sold the engine and be liable to taxes.
Travelling Without a Carnet – Recommended Paperwork
If you choose to travel without a Carnet (or use Temporary Importation Relief), we strongly recommend carrying a well-organised paper folder (rather than emails/documents on your phone) with evidence to prove your visit to the EU is not professional, commercial or for business, containing:
Tow vehicle: V5, insurance certificate (from 2nd August 2021 this should include EU 3rd party cover by default), MOT. If the car is exempt from an MOT, it is nevertheless advisable to get one done to avoid problems.
Trailer documents:
Private trailer gross weight under 3500kg = No trailer registration is necessary. However, you may choose to register your trailer, to add to your paperwork folder. Proof of trailer insurance (Green Card) 'may' be necessary, contact your tow car insurance company at least 6 weeks in advance of travelling to check.
Private trailer gross weight over 3500kg = £26 registration + Green Card
Commercial trailer gross weight over 750kg = £26 registration +Green Card
Race car documentation if Road Legal: (V5, receipt showing date and value of purchase. (Optional: Motorsport UK vehicle passport and (where applicable) FIA papers, are recommended).
Race car (not road legal): as many documents as you can muster of the above.
Itinerary: A print out of where you are staying, what you are doing (you are a tourist, on holiday) and your return ferry/tunnel bookings
Stickers: UK (not GB) stickers on tow vehicle and trailer
Other Essentials: Don’t forget your UK Driving Licence, (An international driving permit is not required, although optional, for any of the countries you are likely to drive through to get to Spa), optional personal accident insurance, GHIC, (apply for this now, as this can take a month or two) race licence, and race kit.
Travel light, and if at all possible, bring only the essentials when it comes to spares and tools for the race car. If it is an option, take these in a friends/family members car, leaving the tow vehicle, race car and trailer 'bare'.
Remember, a polite and cooperative approach with officials can make a considerable difference.
Why would I need a Carnet?
AKA when a car stops being a means of transport.
We wrote directly to the EU. The reply we received in 2024 from the European Commission Secretariat-General included this quote:
"In a nutshell, the provisions invoked by your members regarding customs treatment of means of transport are applied based on the use that is intended for the goods, not their nature. A racing car, if qualified for the use on normal roads, can indeed be a means of transport but can also be brought in the EU customs territory for the sole purpose of racing.
While means of transport can be declared by the sole act of the good crossing the border, other procedures apply to other goods, including, for instance, oral declaration for cars brought in for race purposes.
It is for the national customs authority to assess the circumstances of a case and apply on this basis the procedure required. The Commission does not question such assessment a posteriori."
Two key points from this reply.
1. The classification of 'goods' can change depending on their intended use. So, whilst a road-legal car used as transport doesn't require a carnet, a road-legal race car only being used for racing may do.
2. The final sentence demonstrates that each country can do what they want with regards to customs and interpretation.
For those members with road legal race cars only
You must take your vehicle log book (V5C) with you if you’re taking your vehicle abroad for less than 12 months. You may have to show it if you’re stopped at a port or while driving abroad.
UK law still applies to a UK-registered vehicle if you take it abroad for less than 12 months.
That means you need to make sure:
· your vehicle is taxed in the UK while it’s abroad
· you have a current MOT
· you have insurance
From Motorsport UK - Temporary Importation Relief
Motorsport UK produced this web page in January 2020, updated again 2021, but nothing since. A lot has changed since then, with actual racers putting the system to the test. Whilst we believe this Motorsport UK page is broadly correct for professional/commercial teams/drivers, it may not be applicable for amateurs (most CSCC members).
A discounted MSUK Carnet deal was arranged at the time with the Greater Birmingham Chambers Of Commerce. If you require a Carnet, this is worth considering.
Final Notes & Disclaimer
Customs rules are interpreted case by case, and enforcement can vary between countries and officials. This guide is based on available guidance and the real-world experiences of CSCC members, but each driver must decide for themselves what is appropriate for their situation.
CSCC cannot be held liable for decisions made by customs or border authorities.
