The Bulldozers have moved into Spa Francorchamps
Discussion
Photographs of the destruction on the old pits buildings and what's going to replace them. Plus work at the bustop chicane.
More on here -> www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/travaux2006-2007/index.htm#8
Pits no more
Bustop chicane work
More on here -> www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/travaux2006-2007/index.htm#8
Pits no more
Bustop chicane work
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Sunday 19th November 15:06
mutley said:
It was the entrance to the Bus Stop that was altered. Not quite sure what is happening now though.
The Bus Stop chicane towards the end of the lap will move back towards Blanchimont and the La Source hairpin will move forwards more, to allow more space for the new pit/paddock complex. This will mean a longer start/finish straight.
heebeegeetee said:
He's got some clout ain't he, that Bernie?
Yup but all the F1 numpty fans think that this is some kind of improvement - hurrah Spa has an F1 race back (for now
) but at what cost. It pains me to see the destruction - I'm sure it'll be good afterwards but it won't be Spa....
Edited by Piglet on Monday 20th November 09:49
why not?
ok they moved a few corners thats nothing new, look at silverstone in the 90s
luffield was changed almost every year.
still a great track.
is eu rough to be altered? or any of the other fast stuff?
if not it will still be top 3 in the world along with suzuka and silverstone
imho
ok they moved a few corners thats nothing new, look at silverstone in the 90s
luffield was changed almost every year.
still a great track.
is eu rough to be altered? or any of the other fast stuff?
if not it will still be top 3 in the world along with suzuka and silverstone
imho
spectatorsam said:
why not?
ok they moved a few corners thats nothing new, look at silverstone in the 90s
luffield was changed almost every year.
still a great track.
is eu rough to be altered? or any of the other fast stuff?
if not it will still be top 3 in the world along with suzuka and silverstone
imho
ok they moved a few corners thats nothing new, look at silverstone in the 90s
luffield was changed almost every year.
still a great track.
is eu rough to be altered? or any of the other fast stuff?
if not it will still be top 3 in the world along with suzuka and silverstone
imho
Have you ever been to Spa? Have you ever sat in the trees above the bus stop at 3am watching sports cars travelling underneath you?
The place has magic, it has soul, it's different from how it used to be (but you can still drive some of the old circuit - I'm particuarly fond of the Massa Kink!), it's not a case of all progress being bad but destroying the whole essence of a circuit at a huge cost, leaving them in huge amounts of debt to Bernie in order to get just one race a year when he has the power to take it away again at the drop of a hat? That's not my idea of progress..........
FourWheelDrift said:
mutley said:
It was the entrance to the Bus Stop that was altered. Not quite sure what is happening now though.
The Bus Stop chicane towards the end of the lap will move back towards Blanchimont and the La Source hairpin will move forwards more, to allow more space for the new pit/paddock complex. This will mean a longer start/finish straight.
Just to add to my comments above, I have read they are making the exit from the Bus stop to La Source straighter to give more pits space on the right. Not sure how straight it will be though.
pikeyboy said:
yes, spa is one of the only circuits i can think off where you can actaully get close to the action, if you know where to go. Last year i was watching the night time GT race from la source and i was so close that you could alomst see the whites of the drivers eyes, brilliant.
pikey
pikey
Have to agree with you there I love this place, the gradient is awesome, can't beat clinging to the side of a mountain watching cars flying by beneath you!.
I have only ever been to Spa as a participant and although it is an absolutely fantastic track that I am loathe to see changed, a few minor tweeks to allow the pits to be modernised and not constantly smell of sh1t would be very welcome. There's atmosphere and there's atmosphere 
. Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.
. Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time. spectatorsam said:
why not?
ok they moved a few corners thats nothing new, look at silverstone in the 90s
luffield was changed almost every year.
still a great track.
is eu rough to be altered? or any of the other fast stuff?
if not it will still be top 3 in the world along with suzuka and silverstone
imho
ok they moved a few corners thats nothing new, look at silverstone in the 90s
luffield was changed almost every year.
still a great track.
is eu rough to be altered? or any of the other fast stuff?
if not it will still be top 3 in the world along with suzuka and silverstone
imho
IIRC, Suzuka is no more... back to Fuji for 2007, which looked bloody awesome on the recent Japanese GT coverage!
I'll be up in the early hours to watch that one and really do hope that they have an extended report on the historic 1976 race!
rustybin said:
I have only ever been to Spa as a participant and although it is an absolutely fantastic track that I am loathe to see changed, a few minor tweeks to allow the pits to be modernised and not constantly smell of sh1t would be very welcome. There's atmosphere and there's atmosphere . Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.
. Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.I hate the finality of cars getting beached in gravel traps.... I'd much rather see some tarmac run off, but it needs to be done in such manner that it cannot be used as an extension of the circuit, i.e. you are almost guaranteed to lose a chunk of time and maybe a few places.
Edited by fozzi on Monday 20th November 15:31
fozzi said:
rustybin said:
I have only ever been to Spa as a participant and although it is an absolutely fantastic track that I am loathe to see changed, a few minor tweeks to allow the pits to be modernised and not constantly smell of sh1t would be very welcome. There's atmosphere and there's atmosphere . Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.
. Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.I hate the finality of cars getting beached in gravel traps.... I'd much rather see some tarmac run off, but it needs to be done in such manner that it cannot be used as an extension of the circuit, i.e. you are almost guaranteed to lose a chunk of time and maybe a few places.
Edited by fozzi on Monday 20th November 15:31
I agree, it is a shame sometimes in a long race to see someone out for a minor slip (though back when this was all fields, if you lost it at Blanchimont you had a two foot journey to the Armco and probably never raced again!) but some of them are ridiculous, take Copse at Silverstone, last time I was there every other car was going wide and lost practically no time. Doesn't really reward good driving. May be they should cover the run-off in the stuff they put on Post-it notes. Both problems solved.
rustybin said:
fozzi said:
rustybin said:
I have only ever been to Spa as a participant and although it is an absolutely fantastic track that I am loathe to see changed, a few minor tweeks to allow the pits to be modernised and not constantly smell of sh1t would be very welcome. There's atmosphere and there's atmosphere . Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.
. Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.I hate the finality of cars getting beached in gravel traps.... I'd much rather see some tarmac run off, but it needs to be done in such manner that it cannot be used as an extension of the circuit, i.e. you are almost guaranteed to lose a chunk of time and maybe a few places.
Edited by fozzi on Monday 20th November 15:31
I agree, it is a shame sometimes in a long race to see someone out for a minor slip (though back when this was all fields, if you lost it at Blanchimont you had a two foot journey to the Armco and probably never raced again!) but some of them are ridiculous, take Copse at Silverstone, last time I was there every other car was going wide and lost practically no time. Doesn't really reward good driving. May be they should cover the run-off in the stuff they put on Post-it notes. Both problems solved.
Chuck a few gallons of PVA over the run off 5 minutes before the start of the race!!
The whole thing saddens me, I drove the track in August in an Evo 8, and was a passenger in an Elise the year before. Entering the track at unearthly hours of the morning, before making your way through Eau Rouge on a drying track, with moisture hanging in the trees as you approach Les Combes with just a screaming engine for company - does it doesn't get any better than that? IMO Spa is better than the Nurburgring, flame suit on...
Stephen
www.forumula1.net/
Stephen
www.forumula1.net/
ref the comments on run offs
your comments ( wich do make some sence)seem to suggest, though that if you make an error you pay ie loose time.
as a racer for 10 years I can't agree with that.
it is not always bad driving, or certainly not always your fault for bad driving, if you go off, or very wide.
ok if you use the huge run off deliberatly, then clearly, thats taking the p***
however
not everyone has the same budget for motorsport and trying to brake a little later is what most of it is all about.
how do you find the limit till you cross it?
if you have a multi million pound organisation around you, with tons of data and anylisers etc, it is possible that when they say " brake at the 50 meter board." you jolly well brake at the 50 meter board or its pretty certain you are going off.
but if you are a privateer, which lets face it, most of us are, its all just a little cruel to be rewarded with a d.n.f. just because you tried a little harder this lap!
if you only race there once a year and qualifying is the only time you have to familiarise yourself with the place and conditions ( which may change from quali to race time) it is likely you may get it a bit, or a lot wrong, on the trickier stuff.
also concider the possibility that someone pushes you off. should you be penalised for that?
what better justice, than getting strait back on and chasing the guy down!!
a mistake is a mistake , usualy accidental. It costs a bomb to go racing.
if there is a way of keeping drivers on track for longer, then I have to say, I support it.
ps no I have not yet been to spa, but I realy want to!!
I hate the finality of cars getting beached in gravel traps.... I'd much rather see some tarmac run off, but it needs to be done in such manner that it cannot be used as an extension of the circuit, i.e. you are almost guaranteed to lose a chunk of time and maybe a few places.
I agree, it is a shame sometimes in a long race to see someone out for a minor slip (though back when this was all fields, if you lost it at Blanchimont you had a two foot journey to the Armco and probably never raced again!) but some of them are ridiculous, take Copse at Silverstone, last time I was there every other car was going wide and lost practically no time. Doesn't really reward good driving. May be they should cover the run-off in the stuff they put on Post-it notes. Both problems solved.
your comments ( wich do make some sence)seem to suggest, though that if you make an error you pay ie loose time.
as a racer for 10 years I can't agree with that.
it is not always bad driving, or certainly not always your fault for bad driving, if you go off, or very wide.
ok if you use the huge run off deliberatly, then clearly, thats taking the p***
however
not everyone has the same budget for motorsport and trying to brake a little later is what most of it is all about.
how do you find the limit till you cross it?
if you have a multi million pound organisation around you, with tons of data and anylisers etc, it is possible that when they say " brake at the 50 meter board." you jolly well brake at the 50 meter board or its pretty certain you are going off.
but if you are a privateer, which lets face it, most of us are, its all just a little cruel to be rewarded with a d.n.f. just because you tried a little harder this lap!
if you only race there once a year and qualifying is the only time you have to familiarise yourself with the place and conditions ( which may change from quali to race time) it is likely you may get it a bit, or a lot wrong, on the trickier stuff.
also concider the possibility that someone pushes you off. should you be penalised for that?
what better justice, than getting strait back on and chasing the guy down!!
a mistake is a mistake , usualy accidental. It costs a bomb to go racing.
if there is a way of keeping drivers on track for longer, then I have to say, I support it.
ps no I have not yet been to spa, but I realy want to!!
rustybin said:
fozzi said:
rustybin said:
I have only ever been to Spa as a participant and although it is an absolutely fantastic track that I am loathe to see changed, a few minor tweeks to allow the pits to be modernised and not constantly smell of sh1t would be very welcome. There's atmosphere and there's atmosphere . Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.
. Much worse happened to my mind when the run-off areas at eau rouge were tarmaced and the one at Blanchimont extended to somewhere in Germany, not to mention the entrance to the bus stop which is a lot more sanitised now. I'm all for safety but you should at least lose time or risk getting stuck when you screw things big time.I hate the finality of cars getting beached in gravel traps.... I'd much rather see some tarmac run off, but it needs to be done in such manner that it cannot be used as an extension of the circuit, i.e. you are almost guaranteed to lose a chunk of time and maybe a few places.
Edited by fozzi on Monday 20th November 15:31
I agree, it is a shame sometimes in a long race to see someone out for a minor slip (though back when this was all fields, if you lost it at Blanchimont you had a two foot journey to the Armco and probably never raced again!) but some of them are ridiculous, take Copse at Silverstone, last time I was there every other car was going wide and lost practically no time. Doesn't really reward good driving. May be they should cover the run-off in the stuff they put on Post-it notes. Both problems solved.
Edited by spectatorsam on Thursday 23 November 22:48
sa_20v said:
The whole thing saddens me, I drove the track in August in an Evo 8, and was a passenger in an Elise the year before. Entering the track at unearthly hours of the morning, before making your way through Eau Rouge on a drying track, with moisture hanging in the trees as you approach Les Combes with just a screaming engine for company - does it doesn't get any better than that? IMO Spa is better than the Nurburgring, flame suit on...
Stephen
www.forumula1.net/
Stephen
www.forumula1.net/
The old track will still be the same, they are only rebuilding the pits, changing the god-awful Bus Stop chicane and extending the track at La Source to make the run from the grid longer.
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