Visiting the Belgian GP
Discussion
I may be driving through Europe the weekend of the Belgian Grand Prix and would like to call into the F1 on the Sunady en-route to Rotterdam for the ferry home.
My question is - if I leave 5 laps before the end of the race will I make it to the boat??? Last check-in for the boat is 18:30. Google maps says the journey is 2.39 hours. If I left at 3.15 would I make the boat? (allowing time to walk back to the car and get out of Spa and get onto the motorway etc.... I'm guessing the traffic getting out of Spa after the race would be hectic for an hour or two, so staying to the end of the race is not an option.
Do many leave early? (I remember being at the San Marino GP years ago and the Italians all left once Schumacher crashed out.)
Has anyone ever done this journey - are there any traffic bottle necks that could slow the journey down.
Thanks
Mark
My question is - if I leave 5 laps before the end of the race will I make it to the boat??? Last check-in for the boat is 18:30. Google maps says the journey is 2.39 hours. If I left at 3.15 would I make the boat? (allowing time to walk back to the car and get out of Spa and get onto the motorway etc.... I'm guessing the traffic getting out of Spa after the race would be hectic for an hour or two, so staying to the end of the race is not an option.
Do many leave early? (I remember being at the San Marino GP years ago and the Italians all left once Schumacher crashed out.)
Has anyone ever done this journey - are there any traffic bottle necks that could slow the journey down.
Thanks
Mark
Been 3 of the last 4 years and I would say you're cutting it a bit too tight.
I would have at least an hour spare once you've got to the car. All it takes is heavy rain (not rare at spa!) and the motorways go to a crawl.
Will post link to what I found to be the best viewing spot - takes 30 minutes to get from there to your car mind!
Brilliant place and well worth the effort though!
I would have at least an hour spare once you've got to the car. All it takes is heavy rain (not rare at spa!) and the motorways go to a crawl.
Will post link to what I found to be the best viewing spot - takes 30 minutes to get from there to your car mind!
Brilliant place and well worth the effort though!
ks about Hamilton and Rosberg and other conspiracy theory bGen admission usually available on the day.
As to the ferry, forget it !
Quite apart from the GP, the traffic is always cr@p on a Sunday night in that part of the world, as all the rest of Belgium are making their way back to Brussels after the weekend spent elsewhere.
You are setting yourself up for a coronary (or at least a speeding fine) silly to miss the end of the race, better to reschedule (if at all poss ) & stay & enjoy a couple of cold ones
whilst waiting for the traffic to disperse.
As to the ferry, forget it !
Quite apart from the GP, the traffic is always cr@p on a Sunday night in that part of the world, as all the rest of Belgium are making their way back to Brussels after the weekend spent elsewhere.
You are setting yourself up for a coronary (or at least a speeding fine) silly to miss the end of the race, better to reschedule (if at all poss ) & stay & enjoy a couple of cold ones
whilst waiting for the traffic to disperse. Mark Sloane said:
Thanks for all the wise advise guys. I really appreciate it. It's nice to get opinions from sensible people with experience.
Looks like i may have to spend a night in Amsterdam :-)
Even more likely if you keep in mind that the race could have safety cars or even a delayed restart if a few recent rounds are anything to go by. Have a great day - it's as good as everyone says it is.Looks like i may have to spend a night in Amsterdam :-)
the other me said:
Gen admission usually available on the day.
As to the ferry, forget it !
Quite apart from the GP, the traffic is always cr@p on a Sunday night in that part of the world, as all the rest of Belgium are making their way back to Brussels after the weekend spent elsewhere.
You are setting yourself up for a coronary (or at least a speeding fine) silly to miss the end of the race, better to reschedule (if at all poss ) & stay & enjoy a couple of cold ones whilst waiting for the traffic to disperse.
That is true, but most of them spend time at the coast so the really big queues are on the north/west side of Brussels and round the ring, they are much heavier than on the other sides, plus you should not be going anywhere near Brussels, more like heading up the E313 towards Antwerp (you pass within a few miles of my house) but Antwerp can be just as bad as Brussels. As to the ferry, forget it !
Quite apart from the GP, the traffic is always cr@p on a Sunday night in that part of the world, as all the rest of Belgium are making their way back to Brussels after the weekend spent elsewhere.
You are setting yourself up for a coronary (or at least a speeding fine) silly to miss the end of the race, better to reschedule (if at all poss ) & stay & enjoy a couple of cold ones
whilst waiting for the traffic to disperse. Not been down as far south as Spa way since the last time I was at the F1 in 2012, I think most of the roadworks have gone now from the motorway with just the one bridge still with a contraflow on it.
Do remember that the police here do set up a good few speed traps to catch people on the way to and from the race. Also if there is an accident the police will shut the road for as long as needed. Last time I was not far behind the Ferrari that had the fatal accident, that caused hours of sitting still and then being moved off onto country lanes to get past it.
Last year there was a massive multiple shut about 50km north of the Spa turnoff on Thursday night, think I wandered around the autoroute with dozens of others for the best part of 2-3 hrs (can't remember exactly as I had a similar experience earlier in the day in France & was becoming a bit "spaced out " by it all after driving 1400km. )
Traffic Northbound on the E40 (I think is the correct route number) is a nightmare on a Sunday night (not all race traffic) & I think it may also be the end of school holidays to compound the misery, so, definitely not the time to plan a journey to any particular timetable.
Had an email just the other day from the Spa official ticket website confirming tickets on sale from at circuit, here it is
Dear Customers,
Spa Grand Prix website will be closed on the 12th of August at midnight.
After this date, you will be able to buy your tickets at the circuit at la Source entry.
The selling desk will be open from the 13th until the 21st of August between 9am to 4pm (except the weekend).
From the 22nd and until the 24th of August, all the selling desks will be open at each entries of the circuit (Source, Ster, Combes, Blanchimont).
Spa GP Team.
Enjoy everyone ! these cars are gonna be a real laugh through Eau Rouge this year, no more "easy flat" I read
Traffic Northbound on the E40 (I think is the correct route number) is a nightmare on a Sunday night (not all race traffic) & I think it may also be the end of school holidays to compound the misery, so, definitely not the time to plan a journey to any particular timetable.
Had an email just the other day from the Spa official ticket website confirming tickets on sale from at circuit, here it is
Dear Customers,
Spa Grand Prix website will be closed on the 12th of August at midnight.
After this date, you will be able to buy your tickets at the circuit at la Source entry.
The selling desk will be open from the 13th until the 21st of August between 9am to 4pm (except the weekend).
From the 22nd and until the 24th of August, all the selling desks will be open at each entries of the circuit (Source, Ster, Combes, Blanchimont).
Spa GP Team.
Enjoy everyone ! these cars are gonna be a real laugh through Eau Rouge this year, no more "easy flat" I read
Edited by the other me on Friday 8th August 14:14
When I used to drive from Kleine Brogel back to London on a sunday I used to thank goodness that I didn't have to come from the north down into Brussels as it would be queued from Brussels right back up to the coast, it was like the M25 on a Friday afternoon 
I would leave Reading at 15:00 Friday, and if I was lucky I would get to the ferry in Dover (or the chunnel) by about 20:00
I would leave Reading at 15:00 Friday, and if I was lucky I would get to the ferry in Dover (or the chunnel) by about 20:00
tobinen said:
Mark Sloane said:
Mikey G said:
Was there really a need for a title change? 
I'm a bit confused by the change too (it wasn't me)I'd start one but I've seen a N00B try it before and the regulars became quite pissy.
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