Spa WEC 6 Hours

Spa WEC 6 Hours

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GaryHetherington

Original Poster:

161 posts

198 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Hope it's OK to put a question about Spa on here but it is kind of Le Mans related.... I'm too excited about Le Mans and it's too long to wait so thought we'd get in a WEC warm up at Spa in a couple of weeks. Not been there before though so wondered if anyone can offer any advice on best parking, viewing places, any general tips etc? I assume ticketing is like Le Mans in that you can just buy a ticket on the gate with no danger of a sell out?
Thanks

gt6

1,422 posts

184 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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i will be going to Spa this year and to confirm what you have said yes race tickets can be purchased when you arrive. however parking tickets are as always first come first served so if you want the best car parks best to get them before you leave, The circuit is easy to find but remember the race finishes at 6 so if you are going straight back to the uk give yourselves plenty of time as getting out of the circuit could take plenty of time in itself.

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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The race is 2.30 - 8.30

GaryHetherington

Original Poster:

161 posts

198 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Cheers both, I definitely had it down as 14:30 - 20:30 so we're coming back on the Sunday. Re the parking it seems there's only one parking available to pre book and the rest are just turn up on the day so i think we'll just try to make sure we're nice and early and hope for the best.

Any advice from anyone that's been before on best viewing places?

gt6

1,422 posts

184 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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The track is mostly open if you want to walk around, however i would suggest that you go around with the cars rather than against them as there are some step parts of the track that will knacker you if you walk up them, obviously spend some time on the old pit straight and watch the cars bottom out before eau rouge, then stop as close to the hill as you can get a good view, As you walk around you will decide where you like best it is an amazing track and makes those flat boring tracks a waste of time for spectators IMHO

archbish

32 posts

171 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Just jumping in here on a tangent... don't hate me. Well hate me, but not for this... getmecoat

collecting my sons from school Friday afternoon, heading straight to Dover, to head over to Ghent Expo Holiday Inn, then down to the track on the Saturday morning. Back to the holiday inn for Saturday night, then a drive back home Sunday...

The boys have been watching me leave for Le Mans for the last few years (they're only 5 & 6) and watching some of it on TV. Leaving obviously includes stickering up, so have got some rally stickers with their names on for the rear windows, some M stripes for our battered old E53, and some tshirts made up for "The Spa Weekend"... I'm genuinely not sure who is more excited - them or me...

I've not been to this event before, but I'm assuming there's considerably less stickering up of cars compared to Le Mans...?

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Stickering up is pretty much non-existent, all the circuit is fantastic apart from the F1 pit straight which is a bit boring, you're better off going round to the old stand overlooking the endurance pits for a view of Eau Rouge, sit towards the back for a better view, the rake is pretty shallow towards the front, there's a big screen too.
There's not many better sights in life than standing at the bottom of Eau Rouge and watching the P1s blast through and up the hill.
Take lots of different clothes, especially waterproof ones.

Paul Dishman

4,676 posts

236 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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archbish said:
I've not been to this event before, but I'm assuming there's considerably less stickering up of cars compared to Le Mans...?
My son and I are going to Spa. Never thought of stickering the car up, I think that's a Le Mans sort of thing. Didn't see any stickering up of cars at Silverstone.

Great Dane

2,719 posts

165 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Here is my Spottres' Guide... please don't share it facebook and other places.. https://www.dropbox.com/s/kg5w8v0jkxjobcd/Spa%20fi...

archbish

32 posts

171 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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brilliant - thank you!

wsn03

1,923 posts

100 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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archbish said:
Just jumping in here on a tangent... don't hate me. Well hate me, but not for this... getmecoat

collecting my sons from school Friday afternoon, heading straight to Dover, to head over to Ghent Expo Holiday Inn, then down to the track on the Saturday morning. Back to the holiday inn for Saturday night, then a drive back home Sunday...

The boys have been watching me leave for Le Mans for the last few years (they're only 5 & 6) and watching some of it on TV. Leaving obviously includes stickering up, so have got some rally stickers with their names on for the rear windows, some M stripes for our battered old E53, and some tshirts made up for "The Spa Weekend"... I'm genuinely not sure who is more excited - them or me...

I've not been to this event before, but I'm assuming there's considerably less stickering up of cars compared to Le Mans...?
To reply to you archbish about the kids, and to the OP in general:

I've been to Le Mans and Spa - I'm into bike racing but do like the WEC stuff.

My accountant introduced me to Spa. He has a few health issues so likes to take it steady.

First off I must say its brilliant, but I think you're being very brave with a 5 and 6 yr old. My step son came to the Manx Grand Prix Classic at 6 years old and watched the bikes at the staggered start glued for about 30 minutes...after that he wanted to see what was in the bushes behind us, then asked for help to make a castle.
Now he's 10 and he watches the TT for a whole race. Next year he's 11 and finally I'll take him to Spa, Le Mans when he's 14.

It won't be the same as when you go on your own, but there are fairground type things, not sure what kiddie things they have, I think I'd probably spend a couple of hours in that area and the various car stands near it. - its at the bottom of the hill (Eau Rouge is it?)., along with lots of food.

I would also cross over the track at the start/finish opposite the Grandstand, you get to walk upstairs above the pit garages and overlooking the whole pits area, you can watch pit stops beneath you - all very exciting.

If you were without the kids I'd recommend far more, but my experience of my own lad, who it has to be said is way ahead of other kids his age for his obsession with motorsport and petrol head stuff (he now services my motorbikes with limited supervision!), tells me at this age I'd set a very low expectation for yourself! At least this will be the slow start to them getting hooked. No matter how much they get bored or moan do not be disheartened, they just have a very short attention span at that age, but it gets a lot better. I still bring stuff for my lad to read, draw and play with. Only when he was 9 did he stop needing it because he just wanted to watch the bikes, all day in fact, that's some change. For Spa I reckon he'll get bored after 2 hours, we'll do other stuff, he'll do other stuff, then he'll get interested in the last 30 minutes as it gets to dusk.

Parking can be found in the town on the approach to the circuit, but circuit would be better to avoid a long walk with such youngsters. However you have to balance that against them being too long at the circuit - I'd probably park in the town and arrive as late as I could get away with.

I have to say while Le Mans is "the one", my trips to Spa have been a bit more special, maybe its the track, the lack of crowds, the company I go with or the whole staying in Brussels thing? Don't know, but I really enjoy Spa, but its very different. Be interesting to see how I find it with the lad next year (and his Mum and friends making a long weekend in Brussels).

Hope you feedback how the trip went.

Edited by wsn03 on Wednesday 26th April 14:59

Great Dane

2,719 posts

165 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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https://www.dropbox.com/s/35vt2sqidrdquql/Spa%20fi...

New version with minor updates (a couple of drivers' helmet have been upgraded) Please don't share on FB and other social media sites. Have a safe journey if you are going!

wsn03

1,923 posts

100 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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GaryHetherington said:
Hope it's OK to put a question about Spa on here but it is kind of Le Mans related.... I'm too excited about Le Mans and it's too long to wait so thought we'd get in a WEC warm up at Spa in a couple of weeks. Not been there before though so wondered if anyone can offer any advice on best parking, viewing places, any general tips etc? I assume ticketing is like Le Mans in that you can just buy a ticket on the gate with no danger of a sell out?
Thanks
There are no crowds, plenty of space, ticket on the gate, very laid back..
Tips - opposite the main start finish grandstand you can go upstairs above the pit garages and see the start and the first pit stops.

The climb down the valley and the hill (Eau Rouge?) has grandstands, all good stuff, and car displays etc and food, worth a look around.

Where the car stuff and fair ground rides are at bottom of Eau Rouge we cross under the track and walk along the track through the woods, and we come out on the other side of the circuit. There are no facilities on this side but a fantastic viewing bank, looking at the map I think its Pouhon . We usually end up having a nap there by mid afternoon.

From there we can take another obvious track that takes us to the last hill climb up towards the finish line section, we watch the cars coming up that hill in the dusk, very cool. Then we move to oversee the Chicane before the start finish, then head towards the podium to see the celebrations.

That's my guide, pack plenty to eat and drink and wear comfortable shoes.
Both times I went we were seriously cooked, it was so hot and exposed.
Last year I bumped into a French guy who had just been to an event I think a week after the baking hot Spa, he said it was snowing! So bring cold weather gear and waterproofs, shorts, caps, shades and sun lotion!

I never saw earpiece radios, and never bothered with my own radio (its too noisy being near the cars)...I just watched the lights on the sides of the cars then read the race reports back at the hotel. Le Mans is better for that part, but I enjoy the sites and sounds at Spa much more.

indyxe

343 posts

182 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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wouldn't worry about parking just roll up and pay at the car park.

wsn03

1,923 posts

100 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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indyxe said:
wouldn't worry about parking just roll up and pay at the car park.
Is there not limited space? Surely there is, otherwise all the town car parks wouldn't do so well, or are they just cheaper? FFS I hate that walk back up the hill.

GaryHetherington

Original Poster:

161 posts

198 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Brilliant, thanks all for your advice, exactly what I was after! Looking forward to everything except the walking up hills!!

chasingracecars

1,696 posts

96 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Walk up from Eau Rouge to Raddillon there is steep hill that's short for the walkers. Or continue along the road and is not steep. However the last bit is still quite steep as it becomes more pedestrian. There is a great bar at the top, sell cans and draft beers nice food as well and cheaper then in the paddock. Get very busy up there for the start. Best place to watch if i am honest. After the start walk round the circuit. No more steep hills this way! Some people take a bike but can't see the point. Something else to have to look after.

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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+1 for the East Belgium Racing Team bar at Radillon, it also still took cash at the 24 last year when the other concessions around the circuit only took pre-paid tokens, which is a swizz.

gt6

1,422 posts

184 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Also at the far end of the track you will find the karting circuit, worth walking to it as the bar/cafe is very cheap compared to the other outlets

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Can you view the track from there?