Go to one (and only one) F1 race.
Discussion
f1_dragon said:
Monaco has the wow factor but is not a cheap weekend and I haven't been since the new engines, so I'm not sure if it would be quite the same without the sound bouncing off the buildings. You don't really get to see much of the race from grandstands though.
The lack of noise in Monaco was the biggest loss for me. It used to be so loud that it could actually make you feel sick being trackside without ear protecting - though being woken up at 9am having gone to bed 30mins before by a F1 alarm clock wasn't that great 
The porsches and renaults were a lot louder.
Don't be a wimp, it is only 1084km, I have 1213 and do it every year.
My vote goes to Spa, bring plenty of clothing to suit everything from sunstroke to monsoon, try as many Belgian Beers as you can ( & still it will only be 1/10 of them ) & pray that Monza is one week later (rather than the 2 it has been of late, although I seem to recall it was back to back for a while ? )
To be honest, as a "one-off" there are a number of answers.
I did Melbourne back in 98 & loved it, but, it is a long way & really needs to be a longer break than you are perhaps planning. Canada could be shorter, & I have been promising myself that one for too many years, I was glad the contract was extended, thought I was going to miss out.
Brazil ? Hmnn, "atmosphere" can be defined in lots of ways. Most F1 teams have been carjacked at some stage, and most people I know who visited Brazil seemed to have been crime victims at some stage of their trip.
Monza is great, but the fastest race is also the shortest race.
Monaco is good on a good year, there are some (in their own way ) exciting races there, but also some really dull ones.
Barcelona (my local ) throws up the odd good race, but more often than not dull.
The "new venues" ? well, Singapore looks exciting on the TV, Austin is probably a great atmosphere & seems to have been a pretty good venue for racing.
Too many possibilities, I would cross my fingers for a one week gap between Spa & Monza , that would be an epic week, which I am sure I did a couple of years back, or am I really becoming senile ? ?
My vote goes to Spa, bring plenty of clothing to suit everything from sunstroke to monsoon, try as many Belgian Beers as you can ( & still it will only be 1/10 of them ) & pray that Monza is one week later (rather than the 2 it has been of late, although I seem to recall it was back to back for a while ? )
To be honest, as a "one-off" there are a number of answers.
I did Melbourne back in 98 & loved it, but, it is a long way & really needs to be a longer break than you are perhaps planning. Canada could be shorter, & I have been promising myself that one for too many years, I was glad the contract was extended, thought I was going to miss out.
Brazil ? Hmnn, "atmosphere" can be defined in lots of ways. Most F1 teams have been carjacked at some stage, and most people I know who visited Brazil seemed to have been crime victims at some stage of their trip.
Monza is great, but the fastest race is also the shortest race.
Monaco is good on a good year, there are some (in their own way ) exciting races there, but also some really dull ones.
Barcelona (my local ) throws up the odd good race, but more often than not dull.
The "new venues" ? well, Singapore looks exciting on the TV, Austin is probably a great atmosphere & seems to have been a pretty good venue for racing.
Too many possibilities, I would cross my fingers for a one week gap between Spa & Monza , that would be an epic week, which I am sure I did a couple of years back, or am I really becoming senile ? ?
MissChief said:
I guess it depends on if I'm flying or driving but it's an awful long way from Scotland to Belgium.
Depends where in Scotland you're from, we're from just over the border so we take the hull rotterdam boat over to the ring. Under £300 return time dependant, get on the boat half seven of a night, have dinner then off to your cabin and wake up for breakfast at 7am on the other side. That's for a twin birth cabin en suite so it's even cheaper if you can get a mate to join you. Spa is under 3 hours from there-if you want anything closer and cheaper you'd better hope for a Scottish GP 
Ferry £300
Fuel £300
Camping £50
GP ticket £150
Spending money £300
Ring laps £100
Ring camping £50
I've done monza and spa a few times but I wouldn't call either a trip of a lifetime although the drive to monza was special. Neither are expensive your probably talking £200 each to spa. Trip of a lifetime I'd be going to Singapore or Monaco just for the proper F1 treatment. f1 is either about camping drinking too much and roughing it silverstone, spa, Germany, monza. In that orders. Or living the highlife seeing massive yachts walking around with millionaires next to you - Monaco.
I don't see why people think F1 costs a lot of money it can be done on a shoe string and spa is probably the cheapest option.
I don't see why people think F1 costs a lot of money it can be done on a shoe string and spa is probably the cheapest option.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Depends where in Scotland you're from, we're from just over the border so we take the hull rotterdam boat over to the ring. Under £300 return time dependant, get on the boat half seven of a night, have dinner then off to your cabin and wake up for breakfast at 7am on the other side. That's for a twin birth cabin en suite so it's even cheaper if you can get a mate to join you. Spa is under 3 hours from there-if you want anything closer and cheaper you'd better hope for a Scottish GP
Ferry £300
Fuel £300
Camping £50
GP ticket £150
Spending money £300
Ring laps £100
Ring camping £50
I forgot about the Hull ferry, that could be doable. Spa and Monza used to be back to back? Would love to do that!Ferry £300
Fuel £300
Camping £50
GP ticket £150
Spending money £300
Ring laps £100
Ring camping £50
Just checked on T'net, in recent years 2012 & 2008 were back to back, so, if you believe in this numerical " s
t" 2016 should be good for a one week break between them (Hell, at least I am not (totally ) Doolalay, I knew I had done it 
)
Oh, BTW 1084km was from Glasgow BTW, on www.viamichelin.com mine was from Girona ES.
t" 2016 should be good for a one week break between them (Hell, at least I am not (totally ) Doolalay, I knew I had done it )Oh, BTW 1084km was from Glasgow BTW, on www.viamichelin.com mine was from Girona ES.
Edited by the other me on Friday 29th May 23:16
The provisional calendar for 2016 (subject to confirmation)
April 3 — Australia (Albert Park)
April 10 — China (Shanghai)
April 24 — Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 1 — Russia (Sochi)
May 15 — Spain (Barcelona)
May 29 — Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 12 — Canada (Montreal)
June 26 — Britain (Silverstone)
July 3 — Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 17 — Europe (Baku)
July 31 — Germany (Hockenheim)
August 7 — Hungary (Hungaroring)
August 28 — Belgium (Spa)
September 4 — Italy (Monza)
September 18 — Singapore (Marina Bay)
September 25 — Malaysia (Sepang)
October 9 — Japan (Suzuka)
October 23 — USA (Austin)
October 30 — Mexico (Mexico City)
November 13 — Brazil (Interlagos)
November 27 — Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
April 3 — Australia (Albert Park)
April 10 — China (Shanghai)
April 24 — Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 1 — Russia (Sochi)
May 15 — Spain (Barcelona)
May 29 — Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 12 — Canada (Montreal)
June 26 — Britain (Silverstone)
July 3 — Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 17 — Europe (Baku)
July 31 — Germany (Hockenheim)
August 7 — Hungary (Hungaroring)
August 28 — Belgium (Spa)
September 4 — Italy (Monza)
September 18 — Singapore (Marina Bay)
September 25 — Malaysia (Sepang)
October 9 — Japan (Suzuka)
October 23 — USA (Austin)
October 30 — Mexico (Mexico City)
November 13 — Brazil (Interlagos)
November 27 — Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
I've been to Silverstone, Spa & Monza, all in grandstands. Flew from Newcastle to Brussels, Edinburgh to Milan & drove to Silverstone. Spa was by far the best race & track (although the worst weather, but being Scottish a wee bit of rain is no problem if you have the right coat!). Yes Milan has history, but it also has rude Italians. They are more interested in taking selfies of the track whilst the race is going on - more than annoying when I have a front row seat and they're in front of me blocking my view of the race. If Ferrari is not winning the race then they are not interested in anyone else. My next race will be long haul - thinking Japan or Austin.
MissChief said:
Cool. Belgium/Monza back to back would be awesome and 5 days from Belgium to Italy would allow for a night at the ring and some Alpine roads too! Will need to check the maturation date of the Sharesave.
I did Spa / Monza / Goodwood Revival on consecutive weekends in 2012 including 'Ring, Alps, etc. Detailed report here if you're interested: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...If you’re planning on doing just one race I’d suggest Monza personally. Spa is a wonderful circuit but as a spectator I reckon the 24 Hours is just as good as a GP – WEC ditto. Monza is just special.
Montreal and Austin are the other foreign GPs I’ve been to and they’re both a wonderful experience. North American hospitality is infinitely better than European. Of course then there’s Suzuka. We have a trip planned there for 2016 but it will rather depend upon funding. I suspect it will be my last F1 race – at least for several years as the focus of my bucket list is on getting to the world's other great events.
Wherever you go, you’ll love it. Enjoy!
chevronb37 said:
MissChief said:
Cool. Belgium/Monza back to back would be awesome and 5 days from Belgium to Italy would allow for a night at the ring and some Alpine roads too! Will need to check the maturation date of the Sharesave.
I did Spa / Monza / Goodwood Revival on consecutive weekends in 2012 including 'Ring, Alps, etc. Detailed report here if you're interested: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...If you’re planning on doing just one race I’d suggest Monza personally. Spa is a wonderful circuit but as a spectator I reckon the 24 Hours is just as good as a GP – WEC ditto. Monza is just special.
Montreal and Austin are the other foreign GPs I’ve been to and they’re both a wonderful experience. North American hospitality is infinitely better than European. Of course then there’s Suzuka. We have a trip planned there for 2016 but it will rather depend upon funding. I suspect it will be my last F1 race – at least for several years as the focus of my bucket list is on getting to the world's other great events.
Wherever you go, you’ll love it. Enjoy!
It really depends what you want. I've been to a few and the standout points of each, for me, are:
- Silverstone: Umm... nope, can't think of any good points. I suppose it's quite cheap to get to but it really is too expensive for what it is and you are miles from the track.
- Monza: Weather is usually pretty good, you can feel the history, and the track invasion/podium is great. GA viewing is really not bad if you bag a decent spot.
- Spa: Another icon, it's a great track, the support races are very entertaining and it just looks brilliant. GA viewing area is huge and hilly, so good views.
- Suzuka: Another great track, which usually hosts an entertaining race, the food is niiice and the fans are bonkers.
- Barcelona: Usually a snoozefest, however the weather is normally sunny and it's probably the best track for photography, if that's what you're into (I am)
- Singapore: It's at night so it looks fabulous and the entertainment that is put on alongside the race shames every other place I've been to; it's like a race, a music festival and a motor show all rolled into one.
If you are indeed up for spending £1500 to £2k and your thread title isn't set in stone, you could do multiple races in one trip if you stick to GA rather than grandstand, with a holiday in between. Spa and Monza with a week or so in Tuscany between them? USA and Mexico, possibly stretching it out to Brazil too?
EDIT: I just priced up flights for the Americas trip. £878 with United. Hmm...
- Silverstone: Umm... nope, can't think of any good points. I suppose it's quite cheap to get to but it really is too expensive for what it is and you are miles from the track.
- Monza: Weather is usually pretty good, you can feel the history, and the track invasion/podium is great. GA viewing is really not bad if you bag a decent spot.
- Spa: Another icon, it's a great track, the support races are very entertaining and it just looks brilliant. GA viewing area is huge and hilly, so good views.
- Suzuka: Another great track, which usually hosts an entertaining race, the food is niiice and the fans are bonkers.
- Barcelona: Usually a snoozefest, however the weather is normally sunny and it's probably the best track for photography, if that's what you're into (I am)
- Singapore: It's at night so it looks fabulous and the entertainment that is put on alongside the race shames every other place I've been to; it's like a race, a music festival and a motor show all rolled into one.
If you are indeed up for spending £1500 to £2k and your thread title isn't set in stone, you could do multiple races in one trip if you stick to GA rather than grandstand, with a holiday in between. Spa and Monza with a week or so in Tuscany between them? USA and Mexico, possibly stretching it out to Brazil too?
EDIT: I just priced up flights for the Americas trip. £878 with United. Hmm...
Edited by HardtopManual on Wednesday 3rd June 20:01
woof said:
f1_dragon said:
Monaco has the wow factor but is not a cheap weekend and I haven't been since the new engines, so I'm not sure if it would be quite the same without the sound bouncing off the buildings. You don't really get to see much of the race from grandstands though.
The lack of noise in Monaco was the biggest loss for me. It used to be so loud that it could actually make you feel sick being trackside without ear protecting - though being woken up at 9am having gone to bed 30mins before by a F1 alarm clock wasn't that great The porsches and renaults were a lot louder.
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