Spa Grand Prix tickets - grandstand help

[Mrs_P]

Hi all, we're thinking of going to Spa for for grand prix this year. What started as a cheap trip away (general admission, and accommodation I found around 30 miles away) seems to be escalating - we're now trying to hire a motorhome to stay on a nearby campsite - as have read the traffic is just ridiculous, and the crowds are horrendous. It would be a huge push, but we are considering a covered grandstand seat, as I really don't want to be at the gate at 7am to get a good GA view.

So anyone any experience? Thinking if we're spending a small fortune we may as well do Gold 9 and see the start/finish as well as the pits.
Gold 8 looks fab, but sold out!

Then if we do this, is there a better section to Gold 9 to request?

I'd really rather not spend this much, but for a once in a lifetime trip think it would make it a less stressful weekend, as we have allocated seats, and can still wonder round to see a different view during qualifying or even during the race.

Cheers

[Norfolkit]

Not sure where you've been looking to buy tickets but Gold 9 is still showing as on sale on BookF1 (at least let's me add to basket).

One suggestion is rather the go to the expense of hiring a camper and driving it all the way over there, go by car and book a pre-erected tent at the campsite (Camping F1 certainly do them), a lot less hassle.

I'd still say GA is the way to go at Spa, great atmosphere at the moment with Max and his Orange Legions (does help if you have an affinity to orange smoke bombs, all good natured though), so many good spots to watch from (although there's no GA at Eau Rouge). Hate to break the bad news but if you go GA you'll want to be at the gate before 7am, all part of the experience.

[Mrs_P]

Hi, yes gold 9 is available, it's gold 8 that's sold out.

The thing is, I hate camping so the motorhome is a good compromise! I need my own shower and toilet as a bare minimum (I'm the Mrs here, but we're both not into tents though really). I thought we could turn it into our summer holiday and see a bit more of the area with the van for a week. And the thought of being at the gate BEFORE 7am, is really not a nice one for me either!

So to get past this I think we'll have to get grandstand tickets. I want to enjoy the race rather than being crushed for hours jostling for a spot. I'd still like to see some of the qualifying from Eau Rouge maybe (or at least just walk it to see how steep!).

Michele

[Norfolkit]

Mrs_P said:

Hi, yes gold 9 is available, it's gold 8 that's sold out.

The thing is, I hate camping so the motorhome is a good compromise! I need my own shower and toilet as a bare minimum (I'm the Mrs here, but we're both not into tents though really). I thought we could turn it into our summer holiday and see a bit more of the area with the van for a week. And the thought of being at the gate BEFORE 7am, is really not a nice one for me either!

So to get past this I think we'll have to get grandstand tickets. I want to enjoy the race rather than being crushed for hours jostling for a spot. I'd still like to see some of the qualifying from Eau Rouge maybe (or at least just walk it to see how steep!).

Michele

I'd say Gold 9 is as good a bet as Gold 8, Gold 8 is set well back from the track (there's a large tarmac runoff area on the outside of La Source) but you would get a good view of the entry and exit of La Source itself and down the pit straight although the exit of the Bus Stop would be a long way from where you're sitting. Gold 9 overlooks the last pit garages so you will get a good view of the entry to La Source and probably the exit too (there's nothing on the inside of the track past the last garage to block your view of the exit, probably depends on exactly where in the grandstand you're sitting. I'd think you'll certainly get a better view of the pits although the stuff the teams put up on the pit wall might block your view, again probably depends on exactly where you're sitting, higher the better I would think. You will also get a much better view of the podium. Disclaimer, I've never sat in either grandstand but have walked the track there several times on pit walk day.

I'm afraid viewing at Eau Rouge is out unless you book the grandstand there, no GA there and no roaming on Friday.

The only time you can walk the track is after the F1 race (you can walk a little of it (around La Source) on the Thursday pit walk.

[Mrs_P]

Thanks NorfolkIt, fantastic information.

We're in Norfolk too! Just trying to work out motorhome hire now.

[Flanders.]

We hired a Motorhome from a place just outside Luton. It was the best decision as we had a lovely toilet and hot shower. Also a couple of nights it hammered it down which would be crap in a tent. Also it enabled me to bring a huge amount of booze back.

Last year we were GA and sat on the corner before La Source. Race day I was at the gate at 04.30 and it still took an hour to get in when they opened the gate.

After the race make sure you walk to the start finish lane as It was fantastic and we had a great view into the pits.

I hope this helps.

[Mrs_P]

Thanks Flanders, we're still undecided. My husband has suggested we wait until next year, to ty and get the Gold 8 seats he wanted. But I'm all for going this year - definitely not up for the 4.30 am start though, I'm a fan but not that much!

I've tracked down a couple of Motorhome possibilities, so will decide before the ticket prices go up again on the 31st.

if we do go, we'd stay at the F1Camping site, so we can walk in each day.

[Norfolkit]

Mrs_P said:

if we do go, we'd stay at the F1Camping site, so we can walk in each day.

F1Camping are very good, we've stayed with them for the last 2 years at Spa but (there's always a but) their campsite is at the complete other end of the circuit from La Source, it's a good walk from their campsite up to the Les Combes gate (and I do mean up, all the way), from there you have to walk to the far end of the circuit. If you're having grandstand tickets and you don't have to rush it may not matter to you, just to make you aware.
CampingF1 are very good though and you will at least get some sleep, not the case at many of the campsites at Spa.
Having said all that we stayed at F1camping last year and walked around to the Bus Stop chicane every day (close to where your grandstand would be), I'm not exactly in the first flush of youth so you should manage no problem but it is a good walk.

Edited by Norfolkit on Thursday 25th January 01:30

[Mrs_P]

Thanks for the tips NorflkIT

Slight change of plan, as the budget was getting bigger and bigger to do it..... I've booked tickets for Silverstone instead! Just couldn't stretch to what Belgium was becoming. I'll post a new thread with Silverstone questions.