Spa 24 hours.

[Gingerbread Man]

I tempted by the Spa 24 hours in July


I'm a regular Le Mans goer and wondered how this compared. Any write ups, reviews, tips tricks would be grand. The basics.

Camping seems to be limited as I assume the crowds are compared to Le Mans?

Can you get near the cars, when do people normally arrive and leave again? Crossings best?

I know nothing, but fancy taking the 7 to it.

David

[3059hp]

Hi David,
Just found this post. Went to Spa last year after many years at Le Mans. It is totally different to LM, but very enjoyable.
Much smaller - a bit like a very big UK club race. Spa is a great track to spectate, and although a big circuit, you can walk to anywhere easily if you are reasonably fit. Fantastic close up action - they may be "just" GT3 cars, but around Spa they are very spectacular. Compared to LM, it is a lot less corporate and everyone gets access to the paddock and grandstands. Very few Brits seem to attend and generally really friendly and informal. We did it as a package with Travel Destinations with camping offsite (which was excellent), and ferries/tickets all included. Lots of camping available at the circuit for the hardier souls.
Food and drink much cheaper than France, and generally a brilliant weekend all in.
If you're looking for something different go for it - you won't regret it.
Having got the 24 hour bug at Le Mans, I've also recently been to The Ring 24 and Daytona. Again totally different experiences to Le Mans but both brilliant in their own ways.
if you get the chance do it!!

[willthisnamework]

I was working there last year for one of the supports races. Was very good proper spa weather. One of the practice sessions, car went out on slicks. It pissed it down really hard and that was that to much rain for a single seater.

Will be there again this year.

[mike80]

If you can get there that early, all of the cars drive into Spa town on Wednesday evening and park up for a couple of hours. You can't get much closer than that!

http://jakobebrey.com/preview/1381700.jpg

Plus all the drivers are there as that's when they have their briefing. http://jakobebrey.com/preview/1381659.jpg

[chevronb37]

I think we're going to do a trip down to Spa 24 this year. Really excited about it. What are the support races by the way?

[mike80]

Definitely British F3 - not sure what else this year yet. Last year was F3, Aston Martin GT4 Challenge mixed in with another GT series. It varies, but the supports are usually decent.

[chevronb37]

Excellent. Would be good to see Dutch Supercar Challenge (in whatever is its current iteration) or something domestic. Only been to Spa for a couple of GPs before so it's been GP2/GP3/Supercup.

I must hassle the lads into sorting camping and crossings shortly.

[mike80]

In fact, here's a link to last years timetable, as you can see plenty to keep you occupied!

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...

[FredericRobinson]

Any details on camping at the circuit? The event and Spa websites are both next to useless, I was intending to book Eau Rouge but if we can get in at the track that would be preferable

[mike80]

There is usually camping (a big field anyway) at the end of the Kemmel straight. I last stayed there in 2005, we just turned up. Not a lot of facilities though when I was there, I would far rather stay at the Eau Rouge campsite.

[Gingerbread Man]

Right, the threads taken off, brilliant.

Thanks for the replies so far folks. I've currently got just me and a 7 (once it's back on the road) and do fancy this.

Drive to Dover and hop over to Calais. Only ~3hrs from Calais. Sounds an easy trip, nearer than Le Mans.

Do most pop down Friday? I could take Friday off and then also take Monday off? I'm only on the south coast, so no big traveling times involved.

Leaving Le Mans after the race is a pain. Is it more than possible to leave Spa after the race and get a boat home Sunday evening?

[mike80]

Yes, no problem really. There's a reasonable amount of people about, but I've never had issues.

[*Kosta*]

Also contemplating the Spa 24 Hours this year, as a change from Le Mans now I can't make it.

Are there any showers in any of the campsites around the circuit? Or is it just the ones next to the stinky bogs in the Paddock?

Does anyone have any details of the Eau Rouge campsite? i.e is it near Eau Rouge like the name suggests, or quite a walk away?

Thanks

Edited by *Kosta* on Monday 17th February 22:42

[mike80]

On phone, so will link to a map tomorrow if nobody else does.

Eau rouge camp site is outside the circuit by some distance from the paddock area. Its on part of the old circuit / road which eventually leads back to the start finish line, but probably half a mile or so from the gate into the current circuit. Then its a 15 or 20 minute walk or so to the actual Eau rouge corner. I doubt you can drive in that way as a spectator - access is quite tightly controlled for the 24 hour weekend. So its walk (not reccomended!), cycle, or drive 10 minutes to the main entrance.

I don't know if you have to book parking as I've always been working, but some of the parking areas are still a bit of a walk to the paddock!

That said, its a nice camp site with lots of good facilities. Plenty of hot showers etc. There aren't any at the circuit that I've found, apart from the paddock ones.

Also, depending how long you are there for, it is good to get away from the circuit for a bit. It wouldn't be a trip to Spa without a visit to one of the local towns for dinner, beers etc!

P.S. Couldn't get this to post on my phone, so here's a link to the map. https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=camping+eau+rouge...

[3059hp]

Parking isn't a problem on the run up to the race - you can park in the circuit's own car parks. On race day it's a different matter. Not a chance of getting in unless you have pre booked (not sure how you do this), or park outside the circuit and walk or cycle in. Loads of off site car parks and we had no probs getting into one about 10 minutes walk from La Source.
We camped in a site about 15 mins drive away which was great with good showers/toilets, on site bar/restaurant and swimming pool(!).

[FredericRobinson]

Eau rouge camping -


http://en.eaurouge.nl/

[Pau1]

Does anyone know if there are any buses that are put on to run from Spa to the track over this race weekend?

Our accommodation is near the center of Spa and we're not sure if we should drive to the track or leave the cars at base camp.

[mike80]

Don't know, but it's an easy drive.

[FredericRobinson]

Tickets are on sale, 32.50 euros for entry, 63 for paddock entry. I'm guessing grandstands are free access, any point in paying for extra for the paddock?

[Gingerbread Man]

Unfortuneatly a stag do has got in the way of this for me. So I'm doing my Europe tour (which incorporated the 24 hours) now in August and dropping in on the F1 at Spa instead.