Let’s focus on Frank Frankenberg and Eric Chapa, the pillars of the organisation

Internationally renowned in the world of sports, Michael Bartholemy, from Eupen, is the Ostbelgien Classic’s emblematic figure.  However, the team around him is distinguished by an efficiency at least as great as the discretion it shows.  Let’s focus on two pillars of the organisation.

Frank Frankenberg is Michael Bartholemy’s right-hand man.  He is involved at all levels of the organisation throughout the year: “Yes, I support Joseph Lambert in creating the course, more particularly from an administrative point of view”, states Frank Frankenberg.  “One must pay constant attention to the authorisations and other obligations, and, as soon as an edition has ended, the debriefing and preparation for the next edition start.  I am also in charge of all the (test) events on private land.  And during the Ostbelgien Classic weekend, my function is Deputy Race Head.  In short, the Ostbelgien Classic follows me every day of the year…(laughs).”

Eric Chapa works with Joseph Lambert.  ”He looks after designing the event, and based on his designs I then do all the measuring and write the roadbooks”, the Liege native explains.  I coordinate all the sports aspects during the event itself, together with the Race Director.  We’re getting a new Race Director next December; the news will be official soon.  An event like the Ostbelgien Classic keeps you on your toes all the time.  Even if I don’t work on this event daily there is ongoing contact with the main members of the team to continue developing the concept.  What makes the ‘The Event’ team stand out is the attention to every single detail.  That is especially important in this year of the final of the FIA for Historic Regularity Rallies.

This means that the Ostbelgien Classic draws on the experience and skill of key people who have been involved in regularity events for classic cars for many years. Frank Frankenberg and Eric Chapa are two important examples, but they are not the only ones…