How to see the BELGIAN GP

[a boardman]

The Belgian GP this year is on the 30th August and my 40th birthday is on the 31st August.

never been to a GP race but thought of this one, what is the best way to see it and what are the good travel companies to go with.

[anonymous-user]

you really dont need to travel with a company. buy tickets directly from the circuit, fill a car with mates and drive out there.
http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/en07/gpf1/gpf1.php
http://www.f1belgium.com/

there are lots of people who will offer the same tickets but with a surcharge, there are also lots of companies who will put you on a coach or fly you out there, personally though, european GPs are the most fun if you camp with lots of noisy germans nearby. if you go with a company you will see the race and thats about it, if you do it yourself you get lots more atmosphere... if you are on a budget the bronze general admission ticket is good value and you can stand just before the braking point at les combes which is entertaining. the same ticket gets you to the hill at blanchimont too.

if you really want a grandstand, gold 4 would be my choice...

[RacerMDR]

Definitely road trip it........

we race there once a year - and its dead easy. (depending on where you are in the UK)

IIRC it takes about 3.5 hours in the van from Calais.

I stay in a great place in Franchochamps - but it'll be full already (and probably for the next 3 years) as its walkable to the circuit (20 minutes)

I think its called Relais Do Promard (or something like that) Jacques runs it. Worth a try I guess.

[dpbird90]

Definitely road trip! Plenty of mates + all your OH's + booze + racing. Has there ever been a better combination?

Soon I hope to get together with some old mates and go on a Pan European road trip to some of the best race tracks, am hoping especially to go to Spa, the Nordschleife and Le Mans. The only problem is we all have either:

a. an old stbox that will barely make it out of Leicester
or
b. a Fiat.

So the chances of any of us getting there are almost 0. Would be good fun though.

[chevronb37]

I went to Spa for the first time this year. I use and endorse Grandstand Motorsport for continental trips. They have really knowledgable and helpful staff. I am currently planning a trip to next year's Pau Historique with them. You can do a lot of the stuff yourself, but they will do it all for you and the ferry tickets they got were cheaper than we could find ourselves. I do not have enough superlatives to describe their attitude to customer service - it is refreshing. http://www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk/belgian-gra...

Spa is awesome, but these guys are kidding about noisy Germans. I have never experienced such loud music, and I play in the loudest band you've ever heard. It was deafening and I basically didn't sleep the whole weekend. However, we were camped within sight of Rivage and the circuit is stunning. To stand at the foot of Eau Rouge or the inside of Blanchimont while watching a contemporary GP car on the limit is to reach Nirvana.

The drive is easy, but it is not a civilised weekend. I was at the Goodwood Revival Meeting 2 weeks later and the contrast is stark; just depends what you are looking for from your motor racing weekend. I'm sure there are many guys on here who are more knowledgable, but please get in touch if I can help.

[Longers]

As said already, drive & camp. I stayed on the pitch at the local footie club which gave use of the changing room showers and was a short walk to the entrance at the hairpin, plus all of the bars around it.

a boardman said:

The Belgian GP this year is on the 30th August and my 40th birthday is on the 31st August.

I'd take an extra day and head to the Nurburgring if it's going to be open and take in a couple of laps there on your birthday - stunning, stunning, stunning and less than 2hrs from Spa Have a celebratory steak and beer at the Pistenklause then drive home refreshed the next day.

[a boardman]

Thanks for the feedback, you have all mentioned a road trip, Trouble is that I have no mates who want to go.

So would be doing the trip by myself (as normal for any of my holidays)

I can not decided what to do for my 40th so will have a think about it.

[White-Noise]

Interesting idea, mine is on the 30th

[Muzzer]

It's all about the road trip to Spa.

Took us about 4 hours from Calais and once you're there you really need a car to get about.

We stayed in a static caravan on a site a couple of miles from the circuit. Spot on apart from noisy Germans but we were so knackered we slept through it.

Recommend Grandstands. We had basic tickets and the fences were 4 people deep. We sat at The Bus Stop. Get Eau Rouge tickets if you can - you won't believe how steep it is.

Also, The 'Ring is about an hour from Spa so when the weekend's finished, you know what to do....

[_Batty_]

you won't regret it

[Vette_1978]

We flew to Brussels for 1p each way and got a hire car which we slept in for 3 nights. We didn't book anything, simply turned up on Saturday, found a field for 20e, got beers off the "Stella Jeep" which was going round and got laggered. Much more fun doing it yourself. Tickets were booked in advance though.

All I'd suggest is getting a grandstand seat. We didn't bother and had to literally dig ourselves into the banking.

[theturbs]

White-Noise said:

Interesting idea, mine is on the 30th

Haha, my birthday is on the 30th too. I have already started dropping hints to the missus.

[Cooky]

I went a good few years back, loaded up the GXR with the bare essentials and went off with a mate. Upon arrival we found a small patch of ground just a few yards from the entrance which had been taken over by our two-wheeled brethren. Parked up the bikes, pitched the tent and then succumbed to three days of 24 hour beer swilling and debauchery. Bloody marvellous. A great place to view from too is at the hairpin, you can hear them blasting up the straight, the engine spit back is monumental and then get a good look as they slow for the bend and then disappear into the ether.

August 30th weather will be boiling...I think i feel a hoon a happenin'

car or bike
car or bike
car or bike
car or bike?

[Gillet]

I went in 2007, we camped at the Nurburgring, as we couldn't find anything local, then drove there and back from the Ring for the race. Also gave us a couple of days hooning round the Ring, PERFECT!!!

[chevronb37]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend grandstand seats. They are so expensive. You could do an entire season of club racing spectating with the extra cost and on the Friday practice day we got an amazing, unrestricted view of the cars through Eau Rouge - we were actually stood in front of the 'stands. Quite apart from that, it means you are not financially obliged to be in your seat at all times. We got a great view sat at Pouhon, with a big screen, panoramic view of the track and loads of rowdy Poles to entertain us. I would also recommend anywhere except the Bus Stop to view, if you wish to truly experience the thrill of a GP car at high speed on one of the world's most majestic circuits - it's slow and dull. Blanchimont which preceeds it is beyond amazing though.

Oh yeah - take plenty of wet weather gear!