Belgium Grand Prix - Where to sit?

[Miss Pitstop]

Hi all,

Following a successful trip last year to Spa to watch the F1, I'm off again this year.

Last time I sat on the pit straights which was great as you could see all the pit stops and got to see the build up to the start, but it was only really the first corner you saw during the race and I'd like a different viewing experience this time around. Some of the tickets have sold out already but can anyone recommend the best place to sit for good viewing out of what is left?

I would prefer covered seats but am happy to have uncovered and wear waterproofs if it means a better view!

[url]http://www.spafranchorchamps.be/index_eng.asp[url]

Thanks in advance

Sarah

[patmahe]

I'd imagine gold 3 would be quite good - I was in 5 a few years ago. You could watch the cars exit eau rouge and head off down the straight - with a set of binouculars you should see some overtaking too

[Redlake27]

Eau Rouge is a must for one of the practice sessions, but you can't see much more of the track, so I'd go high on the bank above Pouhon for the race.

Also in practive take a walk alond the footpath on the inside of Blanchimont. It is about as close as you'll get (apart from Monaco) to a flat out F1 car in a bend

[m3psm]

I've always sat between Rivage and Pouhon and there's usually plenty of action there, plus you can walk up to Les Combes and get really close.

Not sure about the grandstands though as I've only ever had bronze tickets there. I save the grandstand seats for Silverstone.

[Ahonen]

Redlake27 said:

Also in practive take a walk alond the footpath on the inside of Blanchimont. It is about as close as you'll get (apart from Monaco) to a flat out F1 car in a bend

Yep, truly mindblowing. And the un-named kink before Blanchiment too - you can get even closer there.

[skinny]

what's the chicane just before the pit entry at the top of the hill - guess it's where the old busstop used to be - lots of action there last year...

[Muzzer]

skinny said:

what's the chicane just before the pit entry at the top of the hill - guess it's where the old busstop used to be - lots of action there last year...

I was sat there when it was the old bus stop in 2005.

Great place to see the cars and the very friendly Germans sat in front of us let us share their tarpaulin when the heavens opened

[Miss Pitstop]

Thank all for your input. One other quick question, do you have to pre-book parking at the circuit? I can't see anything on the circuit website, and I went on a coach last year so didn't have to worry about it but I would have thought you had to pre-book as I didn't see anyone taking money last time.

Surely the parking can't be free....!

[Piglet]

It should say on their website, there isn't a vast amount of parking at the circuit, TBH I'd be surprised if there is any public parking at the circuit itself.

I've forgotten what the piece of track is coming up to the Bus Stop - is that Blanchimont? If so make sure you crawl down through the trees there when there are cars on track, you are above the level of the track and it's fantastic watching GT cars through there so F1 should be pretty impressive

[Muzzer]

Miss Pitstop said:

Surely the parking can't be free....!

It's not. But in the town of Francorchamps, everyone with a small piece of land seems to turn it into a car park and charge for parking!

Very similar to the fields around Silverstone, the difference being if you don't park in one of these fields you realise there's little or no official parking at the circuit....

IIRC we paid about 5 euros for the day - so not too bad.

We parked in a field-type-thing about 2 mins walk from the circuit.

[Miss Pitstop]

I wasn't talking about parking at the circuit itself (sorry if that wasn't clear), more around the outside in the fields surrounding it.

I guess it's just pitch up and pay, I'm sure I can charm a local if i get really stuck!!

Cheers

[stuttgartmetal]

radillion gstand
you can see eau rouge well

[LocoBlade]

Can't comment on where to sit as although Ive been to Spa, it was for a trackday was on track rather than watching, but as mentioned in the main Turkish GP thread Id recommend getting a Kangaroo TV set if you want to follow what's going on, it gives you several live feeds to watch and also live timing etc so you can see the gaps and who's pitted etc.

I hired one for the Barcelona GP and it really made a big difference to being able to follow both quali and the race.

Edited by LocoBlade on Saturday 10th May 13:12