Spa - Belgian Grand Prix
Discussion
Toying with the idea of going this year, but have a lot of questions. So I figured I'd ask here as there's bound to be someone that's been before.
So, really I'm not sure where to start. Self-arranged or a package? Camping or hotel? Grandstand tickets or General admission? Coach, Eurostar, plane or self-drive? I don't really know where to begin.
There are two of us, both late 30 something blokes, both like a drink and not bothered about camping. Budget is as little as possible whilst still getting the most out of our time. I don't want to be struggling to see the track and cars over the head of some big Belgian.
Has anyone been before and have any advice on where to start the planning?
Cheers!
So, really I'm not sure where to start. Self-arranged or a package? Camping or hotel? Grandstand tickets or General admission? Coach, Eurostar, plane or self-drive? I don't really know where to begin.
There are two of us, both late 30 something blokes, both like a drink and not bothered about camping. Budget is as little as possible whilst still getting the most out of our time. I don't want to be struggling to see the track and cars over the head of some big Belgian.
Has anyone been before and have any advice on where to start the planning?
Cheers!
In terms of getting there, it's about a 3 hour drive from Calais, having the car is quite handy when you get there and if you have the time you're only about 100km from the Nurburging, so you could go there and get a couple of laps in if you have the time and inclination. So I would definitely drive. However if you want to get drunk all the way and chat with fellow F1 fans, an organised coach trip might be an idea.
I seem to remember that campsite being quite a walk from the circuit, but surely closer than any accommodation you will find that weekend, and a fraction of the price, so that's what I'd do, with the only caveat that it will most likely rain at some point over the weekend.
Great beer and Belgian fries.
In terms of spectating, anywhere on the run down from La Source to Eau Rouge, and up the otherside to Radillon is pretty good. My favourite was watching from the grandstand on the uphill bit so you could watch them through Eau Rouge. However I was watching GT cars there, so I don't know what the prices and arrangements will be for GP weekend.
I seem to remember that campsite being quite a walk from the circuit, but surely closer than any accommodation you will find that weekend, and a fraction of the price, so that's what I'd do, with the only caveat that it will most likely rain at some point over the weekend.
Great beer and Belgian fries.
In terms of spectating, anywhere on the run down from La Source to Eau Rouge, and up the otherside to Radillon is pretty good. My favourite was watching from the grandstand on the uphill bit so you could watch them through Eau Rouge. However I was watching GT cars there, so I don't know what the prices and arrangements will be for GP weekend.
Went last year. In summary.
- Onsite camping is incredibly basic with limited food tobuy onsite or at tge track. The plus side is you can enter the circuit at the top of the straight and its literally right next to the track. Other camp sites exist but i suspect its a drive/walk to get in.
- food at the event is incredibly basic - hot dogs, chips, beer.
- absolutlely loads of places to sit on general admission. Walk around on practice days to suss out good viewing spots and arrive early on the day
- bring camp chairs and umbrellasa and just arrive really early
- dont underestimate how massive the circuit is
3 of us went. Had a great time.
- Onsite camping is incredibly basic with limited food tobuy onsite or at tge track. The plus side is you can enter the circuit at the top of the straight and its literally right next to the track. Other camp sites exist but i suspect its a drive/walk to get in.
- food at the event is incredibly basic - hot dogs, chips, beer.
- absolutlely loads of places to sit on general admission. Walk around on practice days to suss out good viewing spots and arrive early on the day
- bring camp chairs and umbrellasa and just arrive really early
- dont underestimate how massive the circuit is
3 of us went. Had a great time.
bilsland said:
Went last year. In summary.
- Onsite camping is incredibly basic with limited food tobuy onsite or at tge track. The plus side is you can enter the circuit at the top of the straight and its literally right next to the track. Other camp sites exist but i suspect its a drive/walk to get in.
- food at the event is incredibly basic - hot dogs, chips, beer.eta:waffles!
- absolutlely loads of places to sit on general admission. Walk around on practice days to suss out good viewing spots and arrive early on the day
- bring camp chairs and umbrellasa and just arrive really early
- dont underestimate how massive the circuit is
3 of us went. Had a great time.
Good list, one more point to add would be toilets.....very few and far between (except at the SF complex), and usually in such a condition as to be less appealing than doing the 'bear' thing. Not a massive problem, unless you're going with a lady (in which case it is, of course, a massive problem!). - Onsite camping is incredibly basic with limited food tobuy onsite or at tge track. The plus side is you can enter the circuit at the top of the straight and its literally right next to the track. Other camp sites exist but i suspect its a drive/walk to get in.
- food at the event is incredibly basic - hot dogs, chips, beer.eta:waffles!
- absolutlely loads of places to sit on general admission. Walk around on practice days to suss out good viewing spots and arrive early on the day
- bring camp chairs and umbrellasa and just arrive really early
- dont underestimate how massive the circuit is
3 of us went. Had a great time.
tim-b said:
Good list, one more point to add would be toilets.....very few and far between (except at the SF complex), and usually in such a condition as to be less appealing than doing the 'bear' thing. Not a massive problem, unless you're going with a lady (in which case it is, of course, a massive problem!).
You need a "festival toilet":http://www.thebrowncorporation.com/products/bog-st... (possibly NSFW - naughty word in the page header)
Been a couple of times (2009 & 2011) Camped at the the "Elephant" Campsite, Toilets are constantly kept clean as are the (hot) showers, It is a 40 min walk from the Eu Rouge Entrance but they do run a couple of shuttle bus
It is a 5 minute stagger from the Cafe Bertrand in the centre of the village, a great place to sit after the GP and watch the parade of early levers in their tasty motors.
If you have a look on F1 Fanatics Forum there is a lot of discussion regards the Elephant,
It is a 5 minute stagger from the Cafe Bertrand in the centre of the village, a great place to sit after the GP and watch the parade of early levers in their tasty motors.
If you have a look on F1 Fanatics Forum there is a lot of discussion regards the Elephant,
Ive been half a dozen times General Admission and Camping every time however im not a big fan of camping at the best of times and the official sites are really just fields with a beer tent so camp Friday and Saturday only with a nice hotel and shower before and after. Don't worry about not eing able to see with General Admission you are viewing from above the track its not like Silverstone, take walking boots and wet weather gear even if the forecast is for 25 degrees and sunshine!
Can't really comment as I've only been for Le Mans series (far quieter) but driving is a definite: it's not very far and driving to Francorchamps for food is a requirement for the evenings/breakfast as there's very little at the circuit.
We camped at Eau Rouge camp site - absolutely perfect place to stay. I don't know how you'd go about getting booked in there because we "accidently" stayed there (long story)!
I'd be looking to get grandstand seats, not general admission, as the weather is... errr.... temperamental at Spa, and most general admission areas are grass banks.
But most importantly, make sure you go! It's probably the most fantastic circuit in the world and at risk of not being a permanent fixture in years to come.
We camped at Eau Rouge camp site - absolutely perfect place to stay. I don't know how you'd go about getting booked in there because we "accidently" stayed there (long story)!
I'd be looking to get grandstand seats, not general admission, as the weather is... errr.... temperamental at Spa, and most general admission areas are grass banks.
But most importantly, make sure you go! It's probably the most fantastic circuit in the world and at risk of not being a permanent fixture in years to come.
tim-b said:
bilsland said:
Went last year. In summary.
- Onsite camping is incredibly basic with limited food tobuy onsite or at tge track. The plus side is you can enter the circuit at the top of the straight and its literally right next to the track. Other camp sites exist but i suspect its a drive/walk to get in.
- food at the event is incredibly basic - hot dogs, chips, beer.eta:waffles!
- absolutlely loads of places to sit on general admission. Walk around on practice days to suss out good viewing spots and arrive early on the day
- bring camp chairs and umbrellasa and just arrive really early
- dont underestimate how massive the circuit is
3 of us went. Had a great time.
Good list, one more point to add would be toilets.....very few and far between (except at the SF complex), and usually in such a condition as to be less appealing than doing the 'bear' thing. Not a massive problem, unless you're going with a lady (in which case it is, of course, a massive problem!). - Onsite camping is incredibly basic with limited food tobuy onsite or at tge track. The plus side is you can enter the circuit at the top of the straight and its literally right next to the track. Other camp sites exist but i suspect its a drive/walk to get in.
- food at the event is incredibly basic - hot dogs, chips, beer.eta:waffles!
- absolutlely loads of places to sit on general admission. Walk around on practice days to suss out good viewing spots and arrive early on the day
- bring camp chairs and umbrellasa and just arrive really early
- dont underestimate how massive the circuit is
3 of us went. Had a great time.
Fantastic stuff, thanks all. I think that we might go with the Chunnel self drive, Elephant camping, general admission plan. By not paying for anything but the basics we can get a cheap weekend this year and then add any extras in future years ( assuming that Bernie hasn't swapped the race for one in Burma, North Korea or Zimbabwe by then).
Remember stout shoes/hiking boots as there are some climbs of 300 feet - doesn't sound of much but believe me (see enclosed map). Been there about twenty times - now only go for the ILMC/LMS/WEC not F1 and have moved to an off track campsite with creature comforts
RAINGEAR.. bring clothes for three seasons the area has its own micro climate - taste some local Belgian beers - not Stella which is regarded as a basic supermarket beer over there if you must have lager Jupiler is much nicer
RAINGEAR.. bring clothes for three seasons the area has its own micro climate - taste some local Belgian beers - not Stella which is regarded as a basic supermarket beer over there if you must have lager Jupiler is much nicer
I've only been once before in 2008 when we camped just behind Rivage. I enjoyed camping except for the noisy Germans. After a 10 hour drive there I got precisely no sleep because they'd brough along a marquee and a PA system you could hear from the moon.
We just did GA and plan the same this year. There is so much spectacular viewing all around the circuit that I'd baulk at paying for a grandstand. We sat at Pouhon last time and loved every second with all the boozey Poles and Germans. We had a big screen and the perfect view of Kimi and Lewis going toe-to-toe for the last three laps. This year I'm going with the old man so we're stopping in a hotel instead.
It's well worth exploring the entire track. I loved standing on the outfield at Blanchimont with the noise echoing off the trees - they're flat chat through there and it's just incredible. Can't wait to get back!
We just did GA and plan the same this year. There is so much spectacular viewing all around the circuit that I'd baulk at paying for a grandstand. We sat at Pouhon last time and loved every second with all the boozey Poles and Germans. We had a big screen and the perfect view of Kimi and Lewis going toe-to-toe for the last three laps. This year I'm going with the old man so we're stopping in a hotel instead.
It's well worth exploring the entire track. I loved standing on the outfield at Blanchimont with the noise echoing off the trees - they're flat chat through there and it's just incredible. Can't wait to get back!
I'm pleased to say that we are now all booked for the event. We're taking the euro tunnel and camping at Elephant camp site from Thursday to Monday We've got general admission tickets for the weekend. Really looking forward to it. Thanks for all of your help and advice. It's much apprecaited
hi everyone
can anyone help me
we have tickets for the belgian gp this year and are looking to book in to camp at the elephant campsite. the guy i have been dealing with doesnt speak good english and keeps telling me he cant give me an accurate price as Prices are fixed by the community of Francorchamps per DAY (not stopover) and are beyond our control!
i am unsure what he means by this so could anyone give me any ideas on prices from previous years.
there is 7 of us and we will all have our own tents plus one 7 seat car and a 6ft trailer.
tom
can anyone help me
we have tickets for the belgian gp this year and are looking to book in to camp at the elephant campsite. the guy i have been dealing with doesnt speak good english and keeps telling me he cant give me an accurate price as Prices are fixed by the community of Francorchamps per DAY (not stopover) and are beyond our control!
i am unsure what he means by this so could anyone give me any ideas on prices from previous years.
there is 7 of us and we will all have our own tents plus one 7 seat car and a 6ft trailer.
tom
tim-b said:
Good list, one more point to add would be toilets.....very few and far between (except at the SF complex), and usually in such a condition as to be less appealing than doing the 'bear' thing. Not a massive problem, unless you're going with a lady (in which case it is, of course, a massive problem!).
Belgians seldom use toilets, the nearest tree is just fine. It is something to do with the high charges for water here, why spend a penny when you can go for free by a tree.As others have said somewhere between La Source and Radillon, there is a standing area near the outside Eau Rouge where you can get a good view, but it is much better if you can get a grandstand seat at least then you can get a good view of the giant screens
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