WEC 6H Spa worth it?
Discussion
I'd say so. The circuit is stunning, not been since the new grandstand was built, last time I went it was the classic chalet bar. The views are stunning, access is quality, weather looks good, views from bank, grandstands to enjoy. Done 2 of the 6hr races, going lunchtime today for a solo run as lad is doing A levels. Can't remember big screens last time I went, but Radio Le Mans cover this on RS1, no FM source. Will be getting in my steps for sure with a few laps of the track, got a few new views to check out.
Hopefully as approaching Calais and will stop off at Waterloo on way
Loads on for me since phone broke at Christmas and just caught up with Imola a day or so ago. Did try to get sim out too as cheap flight to Cologne from Stanstead Thursday night but he’d double booked WE
Lot cheaper than LM and weather looks pretty good for Spa
Loads on for me since phone broke at Christmas and just caught up with Imola a day or so ago. Did try to get sim out too as cheap flight to Cologne from Stanstead Thursday night but he’d double booked WE
Lot cheaper than LM and weather looks pretty good for Spa
Vette_1978 said:
...The circuit is stunning...
This.FredericRobinson said:
...Spa is fantastic...
And this.Just seeing Eau Rouge in the flesh for the first time will be worth the journey. Television does not do the elevation change justice.
Don't forget to buy some chips with too much mayonnaise on them.
I'm not sure where the legend of it being so much cheaper than Le Mans comes from, my partner and I were going to go on a "spur of the moment" trip this weekend, but after costing up the Le Shuttle, the cheapest hotel around ( Brussels Airport) and the other bits and pieces, it came to about £700. That's not a great deal less, it's maybe 2/3rds of what Le Mans costs us? We're thinking we've got to go some time, but its not quite as cheap as I was hoping for.
Vsix and Vtec said:
I'm not sure where the legend of it being so much cheaper than Le Mans comes from, my partner and I were going to go on a "spur of the moment" trip this weekend, but after costing up the Le Shuttle, the cheapest hotel around ( Brussels Airport) and the other bits and pieces, it came to about £700. That's not a great deal less, it's maybe 2/3rds of what Le Mans costs us? We're thinking we've got to go some time, but its not quite as cheap as I was hoping for.
What would Le Mans cost last minute?Camping seems to be in chaos tonight thought, turned up a hour ago to find the hard standing area closed and the grass bit too waterlogged for anyone to go on, have ended up at Les Combes instead
FredericRobinson said:
What would Le Mans cost last minute?
That's true, however it is also a highly prestigious race, which lasts four times longer, for not a great deal more money. Our first Le Mans in 2022 was also last minute, but we knew it wasn't going to come cheaply because nobody ever talks of it being anything less than a bit costly. I suppose had we prepared the last minute planning as if it the same as the 24Hr, it might seem better value.Vsix and Vtec said:
That's true, however it is also a highly prestigious race, which lasts four times longer, for not a great deal more money. Our first Le Mans in 2022 was also last minute, but we knew it wasn't going to come cheaply because nobody ever talks of it being anything less than a bit costly. I suppose had we prepared the last minute planning as if it the same as the 24Hr, it might seem better value.
All depends how you do it of course, 3 day ticket for Spa was €65, camping is 30 I think, grandstands are free though.For me, buying Le Mans tickets through an agency being the only way to get the camping I want, Spa is a good deal cheaper, but I get 10 nights at Le Mans vs 3 at Spa.
The camping at Spa appears to be a complete s
t show this year though Private camping LM plus GE and GS for 2 around £1800 plus ferry to Caen, cabin plus ACO and upgrade (no discount as can’t buy tickets separate and they are a pain to get anyway), petrol and tolls gets you to around £3k with a self catering food and beer
Campsite in Francochamp was Euro 120 - small so less chance of car getting bogged in- maybe better in public camping?
Local roads either brilliant to total mess and digging up centre of Francorchamps and Spa doesn’t help- today loads of supermarkets closed for Ascension Day
Did get out ti Spa for a few bits I forgot and drove the old circuit bits ( as per Lucien Bianchi Spa 1962 video)
Bloody cold last night as brought wrong tent though
Track fantastic view up Raidillon from Eay Rouge amazing - looks so much flatter on TV
Campsite in Francochamp was Euro 120 - small so less chance of car getting bogged in- maybe better in public camping?
Local roads either brilliant to total mess and digging up centre of Francorchamps and Spa doesn’t help- today loads of supermarkets closed for Ascension Day
Did get out ti Spa for a few bits I forgot and drove the old circuit bits ( as per Lucien Bianchi Spa 1962 video)
Bloody cold last night as brought wrong tent though
Track fantastic view up Raidillon from Eay Rouge amazing - looks so much flatter on TV
Personally, I'd rather go to Spa than Le Mans these days.
Spa is still a sportscar race, Le Mans is a corporate jamboree with a race as a sideshow.
Spa (like most WEC races still) treats spectators like they're important, at Le Mans you are a second class citizen if you paid for a grandstand seat, a third class one if you didn't.
Spa is an incredible circuit, makes Brands look like its Scalextric version (I guess the 'ring makes Spa look that way too!), but is still compact enough to walk all the way around within the race duration.
I've been to the Italian WEC rounds in 2023 and 2024 and they were also far more enjoyable than Le Mans. I thought I'd like Monza more than Imola, but the latter is a more interesting circuit, with lots of elevation changes.
Both years I flew to a nearby city (Milan and Bologna) and used the excellent Italian trains to get to and from the races and then to do a bit of sightseeing as well, that's much harder to do with Spa, but I may think of going back to Spa next year (I've not been since the late 1990s).
If you really want the full 24 hours, I'd recommend a trip to Daytona - That's a great experience and possibly cheaper than Le Mans these days!
M
Spa is still a sportscar race, Le Mans is a corporate jamboree with a race as a sideshow.
Spa (like most WEC races still) treats spectators like they're important, at Le Mans you are a second class citizen if you paid for a grandstand seat, a third class one if you didn't.
Spa is an incredible circuit, makes Brands look like its Scalextric version (I guess the 'ring makes Spa look that way too!), but is still compact enough to walk all the way around within the race duration.
I've been to the Italian WEC rounds in 2023 and 2024 and they were also far more enjoyable than Le Mans. I thought I'd like Monza more than Imola, but the latter is a more interesting circuit, with lots of elevation changes.
Both years I flew to a nearby city (Milan and Bologna) and used the excellent Italian trains to get to and from the races and then to do a bit of sightseeing as well, that's much harder to do with Spa, but I may think of going back to Spa next year (I've not been since the late 1990s).
If you really want the full 24 hours, I'd recommend a trip to Daytona - That's a great experience and possibly cheaper than Le Mans these days!
M
Edited by marcosgt on Thursday 9th May 12:56
PS did get ferry Dover Calais last week for £130 on a discount site - did need to adjust return a few times to get one I wanted
Poked at Ryanair flights to Cologne Thursday evening for £23 or as he might have come
Can’t find a full program on line - seems to just be WEC is there one? Couldn’t see physical program either.
Road to Brussels very boring but didn’t want to go via Lille. E42 bit better after Waterloo.
What’s better way back that clips Blevins border as need to get some cheap tobacco for friend
Poked at Ryanair flights to Cologne Thursday evening for £23 or as he might have come
Can’t find a full program on line - seems to just be WEC is there one? Couldn’t see physical program either.
Road to Brussels very boring but didn’t want to go via Lille. E42 bit better after Waterloo.
What’s better way back that clips Blevins border as need to get some cheap tobacco for friend
RL17 said:
Can’t find a full program on line - seems to just be WEC is there one? Couldn’t see physical program either.
The WEC calendar only seems to mention the WEC race on the timetable, but there were Lamborghinis at Imola (maybe others), so I'd be very surprised if there aren't support series.ETA - Someone posted this :
https://press.fiawec.com/assets/fileuploads/66/04/...
M
Edited by marcosgt on Thursday 9th May 12:59
marcosgt said:
The WEC calendar only seems to mention the WEC race on the timetable, but there were Lamborghinis at Imola (maybe others), so I'd be very surprised if there aren't support series.
ETA - Someone posted this :
https://press.fiawec.com/assets/fileuploads/66/04/...
M
Yes, Lambo Super Trofeo (which managed 3 red flags in an hour practice session this morning) and Porsche Cup Benelux, it’s not a bad schedule but there’s 3 hour breaks today and tomorrow which is a bit much ETA - Someone posted this :
https://press.fiawec.com/assets/fileuploads/66/04/...
M
Edited by marcosgt on Thursday 9th May 12:59
After the weekend it'd be great to read a write up of your experience and recommendations of what to do and what to avoid?
I've been to Spa many years ago but it was support a club racing event so nothing in comparison to the WEC but my memories of chips & mayonnaise and waffles still linger!
I've been to Spa many years ago but it was support a club racing event so nothing in comparison to the WEC but my memories of chips & mayonnaise and waffles still linger!
Very interested in this. Looking forward to the post mortem. We have been going to Le Mans for 20 years, but it's just an expensive corporatefest these days. So much of where you could just wander, you can't. Plus the cost!
So the Spa 24hrs is looking like a good bet instead. Better track, less commercial, etc. And cheaper.
Wondering what the camping is like, particularly for us old farts who bring a caravan - elec hook up a bonus, but not essential. Are there any decent private campsites within walking distance of the track?
So the Spa 24hrs is looking like a good bet instead. Better track, less commercial, etc. And cheaper.
Wondering what the camping is like, particularly for us old farts who bring a caravan - elec hook up a bonus, but not essential. Are there any decent private campsites within walking distance of the track?
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