Discussion
Not sure if this is in the right forum but oh well here goes.
This year me and my sisters bf have discussed going to spa for the f1. I haven't been to spa before but have done Le Mans twice but because insurance and tax goes out in June I'm unsure whether I can afford Le Mans this year so I have chosen hopefully the next best thing.
Now we want to know about what camping there is close by/in the area or what experiences with companies like e.g camping f1 you have had before or what you recommend doing
Is there anything interesting to go and see near by? Is there some decent bars we can tootle too and stagger back to the camp sites from?
Also how wet is it usually because last year from what I remember was a wash out for the first couple of days, I know its usually rains but is constant or just showers?
Cheers
Dan
This year me and my sisters bf have discussed going to spa for the f1. I haven't been to spa before but have done Le Mans twice but because insurance and tax goes out in June I'm unsure whether I can afford Le Mans this year so I have chosen hopefully the next best thing.
Now we want to know about what camping there is close by/in the area or what experiences with companies like e.g camping f1 you have had before or what you recommend doing
Is there anything interesting to go and see near by? Is there some decent bars we can tootle too and stagger back to the camp sites from?
Also how wet is it usually because last year from what I remember was a wash out for the first couple of days, I know its usually rains but is constant or just showers?
Cheers
Dan
Spa for F1 is a spectacle every bit as arresting - if not more - than Le Mans. Don't feel you're settling for second best! Lots of questions:
Loads of camping at the circuit and in local campsites. It's a pretty rural area so don't expect too much in terms of local nightlife. Better off taking a few beers in the car and entertaining yourselves. The campsites get a bit rowdy with loads of tanked-up Germans listening to Europop but it's friendly.
In terms of rain, well that's anyone's guess! Last year the rain was constant all day on Friday but glorious sunshine Sat and Sun. You just can't predict the Ardennes!
I wrote a fairly lengthy blog on attending last year's race so if you're interested head to: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2012/boys-big-dri...
Enjoy your trip!
Loads of camping at the circuit and in local campsites. It's a pretty rural area so don't expect too much in terms of local nightlife. Better off taking a few beers in the car and entertaining yourselves. The campsites get a bit rowdy with loads of tanked-up Germans listening to Europop but it's friendly.
In terms of rain, well that's anyone's guess! Last year the rain was constant all day on Friday but glorious sunshine Sat and Sun. You just can't predict the Ardennes!
I wrote a fairly lengthy blog on attending last year's race so if you're interested head to: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2012/boys-big-dri...
Enjoy your trip!
badmastard said:
Funny enough I was chatting to friends about heading to Spa for F1 weekend. Hopefully I can get some answers back soon then do some research. Friends been before and said its an amazing event.
Same here, a friend of mine went last year and there are a few of us looking to go this year. I've yet to drive anywhere outside of the UK so will be an interesting experience, although my choice of wheels will probably end up being very un PH as I'll need to focus on economy rather than speed.chevronb37 - cracking write up and a nice car to do the journey in!
giblet said:
Same here, a friend of mine went last year and there are a few of us looking to go this year. I've yet to drive anywhere outside of the UK so will be an interesting experience, although my choice of wheels will probably end up being very un PH as I'll need to focus on economy rather than speed.
chevronb37 - cracking write up and a nice car to do the journey in!
Cheer, Giblet. Can't pretend I did anything other than hang onto the old man's coat tails really! chevronb37 - cracking write up and a nice car to do the journey in!
Driving on the Continent is a synch, you'll love it. It's only difficult when things get busy, as your intuition is still to look primarily to the right for traffic at junctions and roundabouts. Whatever car you do it in you'll have bags of fun. One of the best drives I can remember was a few years ago in Umbria in a diesel Lancia Delta hire car. Dad and I went off to watch some motor racing at Magione and stumbled upon some amazing roads. The car was naff but the sun was shining, the roads were great and we were in Italy in a (admittedly quite s
t) Lancia. If I can help with a Spa trip drop me a PM. I've only been twice though so doubtless somebody else will be better-placed to assist.
Looking at routes now before we pull the trigger and book. How long is the drive from Calais to Spa? The total return cost for 3 people on a ferry from Dover to Calais is cheaper than the cost for one person on the Hull to Zeebrugge ferry. It means more driving, and more fuel in a thirsty XJR but might make more sense to go that way. Thoughts?
giblet said:
Looking at routes now before we pull the trigger and book. How long is the drive from Calais to Spa? The total return cost for 3 people on a ferry from Dover to Calais is cheaper than the cost for one person on the Hull to Zeebrugge ferry. It means more driving, and more fuel in a thirsty XJR but might make more sense to go that way. Thoughts?
we did Calais to Spa in around 4 hours which included a cold beer stop while the sun was out. Friday afternoon can see some heavy motorway traffic when heading east, but generally the roads are pretty good.Google maps shows a few different routes, this one seems the most interesting to me but then again I've never been to France.
The easy/lazy option would just be to go via the Hull-Zeebrugge route, Google maps calculations show that route would involve around 464 miles of driving. The Dover-Calais route ends up being just over 1000 miles. Prices work out to be roughly the same once you factor in fuel, but the Hull ferry is once a day whereas the Dover-Calais ferry is way way more frequent so allows for more flexibility. Just need to convince my mates that it's the better option!
The easy/lazy option would just be to go via the Hull-Zeebrugge route, Google maps calculations show that route would involve around 464 miles of driving. The Dover-Calais route ends up being just over 1000 miles. Prices work out to be roughly the same once you factor in fuel, but the Hull ferry is once a day whereas the Dover-Calais ferry is way way more frequent so allows for more flexibility. Just need to convince my mates that it's the better option!
We stayed here: http://www.campingspador.be/en
Very nice campsite, great atmosphere, quiet in the evenings, excellent facilities. Highly recommended. Only issue was there were some burglaries from the campsite. Someone had all their photography gear stolen!
Very nice campsite, great atmosphere, quiet in the evenings, excellent facilities. Highly recommended. Only issue was there were some burglaries from the campsite. Someone had all their photography gear stolen!
Is a day trip to Spa on the Sunday possible? I have no idea what traffic is like in and around the circuit on race day. Is something like this possible? Forget whether it's sensible...
04:30 - Depart London. London to Folkestone is about an hour and 30 minutes.
06:00 - Arrive Folkestone. Check-in for the Chunnel (faster and cheaper than the ferry).
06:36 - Depart Folkestone.
08:11 - Arrive Calais. Calais to Spa is about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
11:30 - Arrive Spa.
14:00 - Race starts.
16:00 - Race ends.
16:30 - Depart Spa.
18:30 - Actually leave Spa due to traffic.
22:00 - Arrive Calais. Check-in.
22:36 - Depart Calais.
22:11 - Arrive Folkestone.
00:00 - Arrive London.
What do you think? No chance or just about manageable?
04:30 - Depart London. London to Folkestone is about an hour and 30 minutes.
06:00 - Arrive Folkestone. Check-in for the Chunnel (faster and cheaper than the ferry).
06:36 - Depart Folkestone.
08:11 - Arrive Calais. Calais to Spa is about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
11:30 - Arrive Spa.
14:00 - Race starts.
16:00 - Race ends.
16:30 - Depart Spa.
18:30 - Actually leave Spa due to traffic.
22:00 - Arrive Calais. Check-in.
22:36 - Depart Calais.
22:11 - Arrive Folkestone.
00:00 - Arrive London.
What do you think? No chance or just about manageable?
If google maps is anything to go by then yes that should be possible. You might want to stock up on a few cans of your preferred energy drink.
We have decided to go via the Chunnel too, makes more sense compared to the ferry. Setting off from Leeds at around 05:30 on the Friday, aiming to be at the campsite in Spa within 12 hours. Went with http://www.campingspa.be/EN/ in the end for camping. 8 miles or so from the track but they offer a shuttle service. Works out at £35 each compared to the quotes of £75 that we got from other sites. Just need to book the general access tickets now and then figure out where to sit on race day.
We have decided to go via the Chunnel too, makes more sense compared to the ferry. Setting off from Leeds at around 05:30 on the Friday, aiming to be at the campsite in Spa within 12 hours. Went with http://www.campingspa.be/EN/ in the end for camping. 8 miles or so from the track but they offer a shuttle service. Works out at £35 each compared to the quotes of £75 that we got from other sites. Just need to book the general access tickets now and then figure out where to sit on race day.
My comment on doing the trip in a day would be that you will need plenty of time to get into and out of the circuit. There will be big queues to get out, especially. The traffic north is bad. There is also a distinct possibility that you'll get lost on the way in as the signing is woeful. We spent bloody ages trying to get into the Friday of the GP last year. There were no problems Sat and Sun once we knew where we were going and we got there in the early each day as we wanted to watch every second of every session to make the most of the trip.
Giblet - I recommend the banking above Pouhon for a spectacular view with a great atmosphere. Take a walking pole or brolley for navigating the slopes and a mat to sit on to keep your posterior comfortable.
For me, part of a Spa trip is exploring the whole circuit, taking in every nuance, enjoying the way the sound is completely different from every spot. You also must drive the old circuit to experience what our heroes did. The 90 mins of the race should be 10% of a Belgian GP trip in my opinion.
Giblet - I recommend the banking above Pouhon for a spectacular view with a great atmosphere. Take a walking pole or brolley for navigating the slopes and a mat to sit on to keep your posterior comfortable.
For me, part of a Spa trip is exploring the whole circuit, taking in every nuance, enjoying the way the sound is completely different from every spot. You also must drive the old circuit to experience what our heroes did. The 90 mins of the race should be 10% of a Belgian GP trip in my opinion.
Hopefully this time next week I will be sat at the circuit getting ready for the race to start. We have booked the tickets, tunnel and the campsite but for some reason I still feel underprepared. Still need to book some european breakdown cover and give the car a quick one over to make sure its all good.
The plan is to set off at 05:00 from Leeds on Friday, we have booked the 13:06 train from Folkestone to Calais. Hoping to get to the campsite for 18:00 local time. Friday night will be spent setting the tents up and checking out Spa itself as the campsite is in the village. It is 12km from the track but they offer a shuttle service which we plan to use as early as possible on the Saturday to get to the track, collect our tickets have a reccy to work out where we want to sit on Sunday.
I am currently leaning toward either the Kemmel Straight or Pouhon as there are screens nearby so we will have a better idea as to what is going on. After qualifying on Saturday we will probably head to a supermarket to get supplies for Sunday. After the race on Sunday is it possible to walk on the track? I would quite like to walk a lap or at least attempt to walk up past Eau Rouge to see how steep it really is.
The plan is to set off at 05:00 from Leeds on Friday, we have booked the 13:06 train from Folkestone to Calais. Hoping to get to the campsite for 18:00 local time. Friday night will be spent setting the tents up and checking out Spa itself as the campsite is in the village. It is 12km from the track but they offer a shuttle service which we plan to use as early as possible on the Saturday to get to the track, collect our tickets have a reccy to work out where we want to sit on Sunday.
I am currently leaning toward either the Kemmel Straight or Pouhon as there are screens nearby so we will have a better idea as to what is going on. After qualifying on Saturday we will probably head to a supermarket to get supplies for Sunday. After the race on Sunday is it possible to walk on the track? I would quite like to walk a lap or at least attempt to walk up past Eau Rouge to see how steep it really is.
As soon as the race finishes the track is opened and everyone pours on to the track and I would suggest walking to Eua Rouge. It's a lot steeper than old think. I watched the F1 in 07 from there.
I've not read alley posts but if I went again on a budget ticket I'd try to get the last corner on the banking as you'll see over to Eua Rouge also as well as coming in to the braking zone of the last corner and along to the pit straight.
Enjoy your trip though.
I've not read alley posts but if I went again on a budget ticket I'd try to get the last corner on the banking as you'll see over to Eua Rouge also as well as coming in to the braking zone of the last corner and along to the pit straight.
Enjoy your trip though.
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