Trip to watch the 2015 Spanish GP

[RemaL]

I am looking at going with the brother in law to the Spanish GP in May next year.

I have seen the packages you can get but was looking at doing something like:

Book grandstand tickets via the circuit http://www.circuitcat.com/en/

Either ferry Portsmouth to St Malo on the Tue night then the 600-700 miles trip down and Santander ferry back on the Monday night home Tues
Either camp close or Hotel in Barcelona. Or return ferry from Santander so that's 400 mile trip there and back.

Anyone done this? any tips. I would rather add a small road trip to the event than just fly there, hire car and stay in a Hotel.

Camp or Hotel?

Book grandstand tickets asap and ferry or no rush until the new year?

or would anyone recommend another circuit like Spa? this would be both our first time to a F1 race

cheers

[mattdaniels]

RemaL said:

I am looking at going with the brother in law to the Spanish GP in May next year.

I have seen the packages you can get but was looking at doing something like:

Book grandstand tickets via the circuit http://www.circuitcat.com/en/

Either ferry Portsmouth to St Malo on the Tue night then the 600-700 miles trip down and Santander ferry back on the Monday night home Tues
Either camp close or Hotel in Barcelona. Or return ferry from Santander so that's 400 mile trip there and back.

Anyone done this? any tips. I would rather add a small road trip to the event than just fly there, hire car and stay in a Hotel.

Camp or Hotel?

Book grandstand tickets asap and ferry or no rush until the new year?

or would anyone recommend another circuit like Spa? this would be both our first time to a F1 race

cheers

I've driven down there twice for trackdays, Portsmouth to Le Havre overnight ferry, arrive at 7am, 900 mile / 12 hours driving, sipping Sangria at the hotel pool by 7pm. Stayed both times in the Hotel Alfa (now looks like its called the Mercure) which is just off the motorway the other side of the circuit.

TBH I wouldn't bother though. Definitely do Spa instead. Much better race and less hassle to get to.

[007 VXR]

iirc its only about £80 for return flights ..

[anonymous-user]

It's OK, hotels better than camping. Spa better as a race but weather can make it a not very fun trip.

Have you thought of Hungary? Races can be a bit predictable but often better than Spain and Budapest is a great place for the weekend.

[RemaL]

007 VXR said:

iirc its only about £80 for return flights ..

yes I know but you missed the part about the small road trip and the reason I wanted to drive.

Spa looks better and agree on the hotel but if it was me and the wife I would use a hotel but as it's me and the BIL i'm happy to camp. whats camping like in Spa? anywhere close?

[HardtopManual]

Barcelona might produce some fairly boring races, but it's a great one to attend as a fan, for several reasons:

- General admission tickets are allowed into the middle of the circuit, lots of parts of the circuit visible with very little walking
- The city itself is great
- Flights are cheap (personally, the ferry wouldn't appeal)
- The circuit's not far from the city centre and there are plenty of cheap shuttle buses (no need to hire a car)
- There are loads of video screens
- The weather is (usually) warm and sunny

Having been to quite a few F1 races, both in Europe and elsewhere, I'd say it's probably the most manageable and certainly one of the cheapest. Monza has a better atmosphere and similarly cheap flights, but is nowhere near as good in terms of getting a view of the cars. Spa produces some great racing, but you've got to either camp (and it rains, lots) or face a mission to get to the circuit each day.

However, if you're desperate to do a road trip, I'd probably lean towards Monza for the passes (Stelvio, Gotthard etc). Plus, as a first race, you can't really beat the track invasion and podium celebrations post-race.

Edited by HardtopManual on Sunday 23 November 22:13

[samvia]

Has anyone been to pre-season testing at Barcelona? Had a wee look earlier, can fly Prestwick-Girona for about £25 each way.

[RemaL]

HardtopManual said:

Barcelona might produce some fairly boring races, but it's a great one to attend as a fan, for several reasons:

- General admission tickets are allowed into the middle of the circuit, lots of parts of the circuit visible with very little walking
- The city itself is great
- Flights are cheap (personally, the ferry wouldn't appeal)
- The circuit's not far from the city centre and there are plenty of cheap shuttle buses (no need to hire a car)
- There are loads of video screens
- The weather is (usually) warm and sunny

Having been to quite a few F1 races, both in Europe and elsewhere, I'd say it's probably the most manageable and certainly one of the cheapest. Monza has a better atmosphere and similarly cheap flights, but is nowhere near as good in terms of getting a view of the cars. Spa produces some great racing, but you've got to either camp (and it rains, lots) or face a mission to get to the circuit each day.

However, if you're desperate to do a road trip, I'd probably lean towards Monza for the passes (Stelvio, Gotthard etc). Plus, as a first race, you can't really beat the track invasion and podium celebrations post-race.

Edited by HardtopManual on Sunday 23 November 22:13

Great feedback and many thanks. pro's and con's for both Spa and The Spanish GP.

Re monza, I just looked and thought it would be further away than it is. 920 miles from me door to door. Where is ot's 100 miles to sportsmouth from me and another 740 down to Catalonia, So not much difference.

Flying would be quicker but I really wanted to add the driving to the trip.

Your not making this easy on me

[HardtopManual]

RemaL said:

I really wanted to add the driving to the trip.

Monza it is then. I notice you have a GT86; the drive to Spa is not particularly interesting - it's motorway all the way. I find traffic to be much more of a problem in Spa as well.

With the Italian option, you've also got the Ferrari/Lambo/Pagani/Ducati factories just down the road (comparatively) if that sort of thing floats your boat. But you'll be wanting a grandstand seat. GA is a total bunfight anywhere with a decent view of a video screen, which you need to be near now that FOM have ruined Kangaroo TV's business model with their greed.

[hornetrider]

HardtopManual said:

Barcelona might produce some fairly boring races, but it's a great one to attend as a fan, for several reasons:

- General admission tickets are allowed into the middle of the circuit, lots of parts of the circuit visible with very little walking
- The city itself is great
- Flights are cheap (personally, the ferry wouldn't appeal)
- The circuit's not far from the city centre and there are plenty of cheap shuttle buses (no need to hire a car)
- There are loads of video screens
- The weather is (usually) warm and sunny

Having been to quite a few F1 races, both in Europe and elsewhere, I'd say it's probably the most manageable and certainly one of the cheapest. Monza has a better atmosphere and similarly cheap flights, but is nowhere near as good in terms of getting a view of the cars. Spa produces some great racing, but you've got to either camp (and it rains, lots) or face a mission to get to the circuit each day.

However, if you're desperate to do a road trip, I'd probably lean towards Monza for the passes (Stelvio, Gotthard etc). Plus, as a first race, you can't really beat the track invasion and podium celebrations post-race.

Edited by HardtopManual on Sunday 23 November 22:13

That's a very good summary. I went to Barcelona this year and it was brilliant. Weather was ace, the bus transport to and from the circuit from Barcelona runs like clockwork and is very quick. We sat in two different areas on Sat and Sun and had awesome views each day.

In terms of a road trip, you could very easily do Santander/Bilbao and drive to Barcelona through the Pyrenees, which are massively awesome. I did a euro trip on my bike a few years ago and we all enjoyed the Pyrenees more than the Alps for the quality of the roads.

[RemaL]

HardtopManual said:

RemaL said:

I really wanted to add the driving to the trip.

Monza it is then. I notice you have a GT86; the drive to Spa is not particularly interesting - it's motorway all the way. I find traffic to be much more of a problem in Spa as well.

With the Italian option, you've also got the Ferrari/Lambo/Pagani/Ducati factories just down the road (comparatively) if that sort of thing floats your boat. But you'll be wanting a grandstand seat. GA is a total bunfight anywhere with a decent view of a video screen, which you need to be near now that FOM have ruined Kangaroo TV's business model with their greed.

Another reason why Spa is not top of the list. Due to the drive.

I've been given the go ahead with the I can go so really looking at what might be best. So Any time of the year but want to add a road trip. I started looking at Spain but Spa, Monza, Austria, poss Germany are on the books to look at. Just need to work out routes, prices. I want a grandstand where ever I go. I'm not looking at Monaco as I've never been a fan.

So on my list of important parts for me is mainly driving there.

[Mellow Yellow]

I organised a couple of trips with a group of friends about a decade ago. We flew to Barcelona, picked up hire cars and camped at the circuit, great atmoshpere but extremely noisy, I can't imagine it's changed much. Fans used to take engines (anything from chainsaw up to V8) and rev the nuts off them all night. There's a railway station at the circuit so it's relatively easy to stay in the City and travel to the circuit each day if you fancy getting some sleep whilst there. Alternatively the circuit is pretty much on the Costa Brava, there are hundreds of hotels which aren't busy at that time of year. We used to drive up to Blanes and stay there on the Sunday night so we got a decent shower, meal and a nights rest. Barcelona flights will probably fairly pricey already but Girona Airport isn't much further from the circuit (nr Granollers), even Perpignan (France) is only 1hr 40mins (probably 1hr 15mins in a rental!) away if you fancy a bit of a drive.

If you want to drive to a Race, do Le Mans and take the Tiger.

[RemaL]

Mellow Yellow said:

I organised a couple of trips with a group of friends about a decade ago. We flew to Barcelona, picked up hire cars and camped at the circuit, great atmoshpere but extremely noisy, I can't imagine it's changed much. Fans used to take engines (anything from chainsaw up to V8) and rev the nuts off them all night. There's a railway station at the circuit so it's relatively easy to stay in the City and travel to the circuit each day if you fancy getting some sleep whilst there. Alternatively the circuit is pretty much on the Costa Brava, there are hundreds of hotels which aren't busy at that time of year. We used to drive up to Blanes and stay there on the Sunday night so we got a decent shower, meal and a nights rest. Barcelona flights will probably fairly pricey already but Girona Airport isn't much further from the circuit (nr Granollers), even Perpignan (France) is only 1hr 40mins (probably 1hr 15mins in a rental!) away if you fancy a bit of a drive.

If you want to drive to a Race, do Le Mans and take the Tiger.

Taken the tiger to le mans in 2006,08,10,12, and this year. So I know what to expect. Also thanks for taking the time to reply.

AS you can see from the dates I've been to le mans, finding out the wife is happy with me to go away again next year is a bonus. And why i'm jumping at a chance of arranging something.

I'm a Huge fan of motorsport and want to go to a F1 race. Why i'm looking into where to go and what to do. i'm happy with the noise if I camp as I'm used to Le mans and after many beers can sleep through most stuff. With the right ear plugs in.

[dotty]

I am attending the Spanish GP next year, flying LHR-Barcelona, staying nearby, Thur-sunday tickets, viewing from Main grandstand after researching.

[007 VXR]

Hoping to make it over for this with the family for 2015

[Jonwm]

Went 2 years ago to Spain, flew into gerona (spelling?) perfect weather, went in J stand, not a bad view but K is better, you can walk around the circuit, hotels and hire cars are cheap. Hoping to go this year, need to get tickets this week to get them for £199, you get testing free in February too.

I fancy Hungary, been to Budapest a few times, fantastic city.

[Jonwm]

Went 2 years ago to Spain, flew into gerona (spelling?) perfect weather, went in J stand, not a bad view but K is better, you can walk around the circuit, hotels and hire cars are cheap. Hoping to go this year, need to get tickets this week to get them for £199, you get testing free in February too.

I fancy Hungary, been to Budapest a few times, fantastic city.

[mattdaniels]

Mellow Yellow said:

There's a railway station at the circuit so it's relatively easy to stay in the City and travel to the circuit each day if you fancy getting some sleep whilst there.

Minor point but the railway station is not at the circuit, it's in the nearby town of Montmelo which is a 30 minute walk away.

[RemaL]

So most who have done Spain have flown. Anyone driven? Also other than me googling (just thought others may have a few good links) to any places to get info on camping at or close to the spainish, Spa or Monza GP's

[mattdaniels]

RemaL said:

Anyone driven?

Only twice, as mentioned in my first reply