Spa - Best Place To Spectate
Discussion
Planning on a trip to Spa this year, unfortunately the person tasked with making arrangements has pulled out and nothing has been done, checked the cicuit website and a few ticket sites and it seems the covered grandstands at Eau Rouge are sold out, this was our prefered viewing point.
With the history of rain there I am not keen on an uncovered grandstand, so where best to try to get tickets for ? Opposite the pits ? The chicane ? They seem to be the only other covered areas.
Any advice appreciated - also advice on were to stay, is Brussels too far away, better close to Liege, best way to get to/from the circuit, shuttle buses? Taxis?
Not keen on driving to the curcuit we may have a refreshment or two, but if needs must and it is the best option I will drive.
Ta
CT
With the history of rain there I am not keen on an uncovered grandstand, so where best to try to get tickets for ? Opposite the pits ? The chicane ? They seem to be the only other covered areas.
Any advice appreciated - also advice on were to stay, is Brussels too far away, better close to Liege, best way to get to/from the circuit, shuttle buses? Taxis?
Not keen on driving to the curcuit we may have a refreshment or two, but if needs must and it is the best option I will drive.
Ta
CT
It's not a bad drive - head South on the E42 via Mons, Charleroi and Liege and it's 3 hours and around 230 miles. But have a look on Page & Moy, Motor Racing International and Airtrack's websites and there are alternative ways to get there.
You don't need a grandstand seat, all you need to know about Eau Rouge can be seen from the back of the grandstand at the bottom of the hill opposite the old pits. Savour it, it's an incredible sight.
Then make sure you're there for at least two days and spend the first walking round. Good viewing spots around Les Combes, Rivage then round to Pouhon, which usually has a big screen and is the most challenging corner these days. Carry on round to Fagnes and Stavelot and there are some other good spots too.
Lots of viewing is high up on spectator banks but if you have a camera you may want to bring discrete wire cutters, there's lots of pointless fencing that people cut holes into.
You don't need a grandstand seat, all you need to know about Eau Rouge can be seen from the back of the grandstand at the bottom of the hill opposite the old pits. Savour it, it's an incredible sight.
Then make sure you're there for at least two days and spend the first walking round. Good viewing spots around Les Combes, Rivage then round to Pouhon, which usually has a big screen and is the most challenging corner these days. Carry on round to Fagnes and Stavelot and there are some other good spots too.
Lots of viewing is high up on spectator banks but if you have a camera you may want to bring discrete wire cutters, there's lots of pointless fencing that people cut holes into.
Edited by kevin ritson on Wednesday 25th June 09:16
Cheers
From what you say, and what I have found searching other threads it seems a general ticket is the way to go - not sure that the wives will think that way though - Didn't find anything about transport on the other threads though and as we all enjoy a glass or three of wine none of us will want to be the designated driver.
From what you say, and what I have found searching other threads it seems a general ticket is the way to go - not sure that the wives will think that way though - Didn't find anything about transport on the other threads though and as we all enjoy a glass or three of wine none of us will want to be the designated driver.
Depends on how much you want to spend I guess. I'm in London so train or coach is an easy option. From Scotland it may be better to fly most of the way.
If you need a grandstand seat then your best options outside of Eau Rouge are Pouhon or opposite the pits. The latter is probably better for facilities, although most stuff is located on the other side of La Source so it's still a fair walk (and last time I did that I had the luxury of going via the paddock which will of course be off limits).
Decide whether you want to watch the start/finish and pitstops or the most challenging corner (which admittedly has a silly tarmac runoff these days). Plus of course, check the prices.
If you need a grandstand seat then your best options outside of Eau Rouge are Pouhon or opposite the pits. The latter is probably better for facilities, although most stuff is located on the other side of La Source so it's still a fair walk (and last time I did that I had the luxury of going via the paddock which will of course be off limits).
Decide whether you want to watch the start/finish and pitstops or the most challenging corner (which admittedly has a silly tarmac runoff these days). Plus of course, check the prices.
Here's some pics from recent trips:
Grandstand opposite the pits:
There's always the grandstand opposite the old pits which will give you this view (note there are usually temporary grandstands both sides of Eau Rouge for the GP) and is great for nearby facilities:
At Pouhon you should be able to see from this:
to this:
Grandstand opposite the pits:
There's always the grandstand opposite the old pits which will give you this view (note there are usually temporary grandstands both sides of Eau Rouge for the GP) and is great for nearby facilities:
At Pouhon you should be able to see from this:
to this:
Thanks Kevin , that looks a good location, apart from a high probability of getting wet.
Cost is not really a consideration, if the covered Eau Rouge grandstand was available we would have biught tickets for there, it is because that is sold out that I was asking about alternatives, but from what I have read maybe it is a good thing it is sold out.
With regard to travel, our base case was sleeper to London, Eurostar to Brussels, train to Liege or wherever we are going to stay, travel to from circuit TBA.
I have though send an enquiry to an air taxi company to find out how much they would charge for travel from Aberdeen to Liege, I suspect it will be prohibitive but I will see what they quote.
Cost is not really a consideration, if the covered Eau Rouge grandstand was available we would have biught tickets for there, it is because that is sold out that I was asking about alternatives, but from what I have read maybe it is a good thing it is sold out.
With regard to travel, our base case was sleeper to London, Eurostar to Brussels, train to Liege or wherever we are going to stay, travel to from circuit TBA.
I have though send an enquiry to an air taxi company to find out how much they would charge for travel from Aberdeen to Liege, I suspect it will be prohibitive but I will see what they quote.
Done Spa many times, always done the roving spectator thing, its a great circuit for it, and ive always camped. We did a fly drive one year and stayed in a hotel but getting to the track in the morning was a nightmare. Not really helping here, just saying go prepared for the weather (It doesn;t always rain) and you can have a great GP.
We drove in '05 and had no problems.
2-3 hours from Calais. Drove to the circuit every day with no problems apart from race day when we had to queue through Francorchamps for about an hour. Straight out at the end of the race though.
We viewed qualifying on the straight after Eau Rouge and the race at the bus stop.
If you're roving the circuit be prepared to be knackered as it's very hilly.
Pack for all weathers - start of qualifying I was in t-shirt and shorts. End of qualifying I was in waterproofs.
Don't expect good facilities - it's Portaloos I'm afraid, there's not very many and come Sunday you could probably get dysentry just by looking at them.
Plan for an extra day and go the 'Ring. It's so close it'd be rude not to
Cracking GP - makes the actual track at Silverstone seem dull. Same rating for atmosphere though...
2-3 hours from Calais. Drove to the circuit every day with no problems apart from race day when we had to queue through Francorchamps for about an hour. Straight out at the end of the race though.
We viewed qualifying on the straight after Eau Rouge and the race at the bus stop.
If you're roving the circuit be prepared to be knackered as it's very hilly.
Pack for all weathers - start of qualifying I was in t-shirt and shorts. End of qualifying I was in waterproofs.
Don't expect good facilities - it's Portaloos I'm afraid, there's not very many and come Sunday you could probably get dysentry just by looking at them.
Plan for an extra day and go the 'Ring. It's so close it'd be rude not to
Cracking GP - makes the actual track at Silverstone seem dull. Same rating for atmosphere though...
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