Logistics of club racing at Spa
Discussion
What the title says basically.
I can find lots of threads for F1 and other events, but surprisingly not a lot on going over there as a racer is coming up on google / here/ tentenths etc. Series I am entering (Caterham) is racing there next year, never been there before so trying to figure it out with time to spare.
I have a million questions
But I suppose to start with, anybody have any hard won advice on things not to do/definitely to do with regards to choice of route, what to bring along and what to leave, choice of hotel/BNB (can't really camp as my 3 kids are coming along, and I don't think a convoy of two vehicles one with the racecar and another with the caravan is the way to go!).
Thanks in advance!
I can find lots of threads for F1 and other events, but surprisingly not a lot on going over there as a racer is coming up on google / here/ tentenths etc. Series I am entering (Caterham) is racing there next year, never been there before so trying to figure it out with time to spare.
I have a million questions
But I suppose to start with, anybody have any hard won advice on things not to do/definitely to do with regards to choice of route, what to bring along and what to leave, choice of hotel/BNB (can't really camp as my 3 kids are coming along, and I don't think a convoy of two vehicles one with the racecar and another with the caravan is the way to go!).Thanks in advance!
I have been a number of times for the Roadbook Spa Summer Classic meeting.
Routes. Being based in Norfolk I opt for the Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry Crossing, as Harwich is an hour and a half from me, and then its three hours the other side. Yes the ferry crossing is long, but I take the evening crossings, have something to eat, go to bed and wake up in port. The alternative is four hours to Dover, Ferry/Tunnel and then the trek through France and Belgium.
The paddock wombles at the Spa Summer Classic will escort you to your paddock area on a moped. IF you arrive early there is a holding paddock and it seems that all the Belgian teams get slightly preferential treatment and jump the queue.
Our series always had use of the current F1 pit garages and we took motorhomes / tents / slept in the pit garage.
Food - never got round to trying the circuit restaurant, but several times climbed over the fence and walked into Francorchamps, there are a number of eateries including Pizza house and steak. Couple of hotels as well.
Other things to consider - you'll most likely need a National A license, and if they are using Belgian scrutineers they will want to see "in date" everything
Routes. Being based in Norfolk I opt for the Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry Crossing, as Harwich is an hour and a half from me, and then its three hours the other side. Yes the ferry crossing is long, but I take the evening crossings, have something to eat, go to bed and wake up in port. The alternative is four hours to Dover, Ferry/Tunnel and then the trek through France and Belgium.
The paddock wombles at the Spa Summer Classic will escort you to your paddock area on a moped. IF you arrive early there is a holding paddock and it seems that all the Belgian teams get slightly preferential treatment and jump the queue.
Our series always had use of the current F1 pit garages and we took motorhomes / tents / slept in the pit garage.
Food - never got round to trying the circuit restaurant, but several times climbed over the fence and walked into Francorchamps, there are a number of eateries including Pizza house and steak. Couple of hotels as well.
Other things to consider - you'll most likely need a National A license, and if they are using Belgian scrutineers they will want to see "in date" everything
The event referred to above is not an international event in the strictest sense, a UK Club
( CSCC) are how do I put it “involved” in running / promoting it. That’s why it’s National A or higher. It’s run to a National Permit. An Event run to an International Permit , as an example some Rallies in the UK , need an International Licence.
International Race Licences start at International Race//Speed//Rally Grade C and move upwards pending results.
( CSCC) are how do I put it “involved” in running / promoting it. That’s why it’s National A or higher. It’s run to a National Permit. An Event run to an International Permit , as an example some Rallies in the UK , need an International Licence.
International Race Licences start at International Race//Speed//Rally Grade C and move upwards pending results.
It does depend if it is being run under Nat A or Int C licence requirements. We always ran under Nat A but had Belgian safety scrutineers. They are more fussy on extinguishers and mountings, towing straps (we got special agreement to use fabric straps) and you have to have full FIA approved kit - boots, socks, long johns, top, suit and gloves, which aren't required under MSA rules. But it's not really a problem.
dunc_sx said:
Excuse the silly question (and being a bit off topic) but what's an international license for then?
Cheers,
Dunc.
I believe that an MSA championship can run one event outside the UK and still run on a National license.Cheers,
Dunc.
Championships which which operate at more venues outside the UK require an International license. A national B can be upgraded to a National A after 6 signatures (6 races or 5 races and 1 day marshalling). A National A can be turned into an International D without needing further qualifications.
National A or Int D can be upgraded to an Int C with a few more signatures at different venues, and then B, A, SuperLicense are beyond...
Some championships have minimum and maximum license requirements, either to rule out complete novices, or to exclude professional drivers that may be considered too good.
I raced there for the first time this year with CSCC. What an experience!! I'm certainly going back. Well worth all the effort and expense to get over there; the circuit is everything it's made up to be. I'd previously been for the F1 so had an appreciation of the scale of the place, but only when driving it do you get to experience just how big and fast it is.
We stayed in Spa town in a small house (plenty on booking.com and airbnb); it's a lovely little town with plenty of good bars and restaurants so it just added to the whole holiday experience.
Have a word in the paddock with people who've been before; I found this incredibly useful.
We stayed in Spa town in a small house (plenty on booking.com and airbnb); it's a lovely little town with plenty of good bars and restaurants so it just added to the whole holiday experience.
Have a word in the paddock with people who've been before; I found this incredibly useful.
Book your ferry as early as possible for the best price, compare sailings from the various operators and consider going to Dunkirk instead of Calais if it's cheaper. IIRC Dunkirk adds about 20 mins driving on at the other end.
You aren't technically allowed to carry fuel in containers on the ferry (well IIRC you are but the maximum amount is about 5l). People get away with it so it's up to you.
You will be aware of the beam deflector / high-vis / spare bulbs etc
Find out in advance which gate you are supposed to enter the circuit from, they are fussy about this sometimes and you can waste 15-20 minutes driving from one gate to the other
The layout of the paddocks and circuit facilities is a bit of a mess to allow yourself time for getting lost on the way to briefings etc
As people have already said, you'll need the full FIA gear- right down to your socks.
Take food and drink into the circuit with you. The circuit operates a bewildering token system for purchasing food and drink which doubles the amount of queuing. Each token is three Euros. Nothing costs less than one token and that includes the worst cup of tea or coffee you've ever had (powdered creamer, I kid you not). You have a choice of chips and meat on site. If you don't want that you can have meat or chips.
I believe the circuit has been known to fine racing clubs for leaving the paddock messy (oil spills etc) so take a drain pan and tarp.
If you are camping remember that the La Source end of the paddock permanently smells like sewerage. It's been a while since I 'camped' there but the showers were good.
If you have spares which you might need and have space for, take them. I did the round trip through the night in 11 hours.
You aren't technically allowed to carry fuel in containers on the ferry (well IIRC you are but the maximum amount is about 5l). People get away with it so it's up to you.
You will be aware of the beam deflector / high-vis / spare bulbs etc
Find out in advance which gate you are supposed to enter the circuit from, they are fussy about this sometimes and you can waste 15-20 minutes driving from one gate to the other
The layout of the paddocks and circuit facilities is a bit of a mess to allow yourself time for getting lost on the way to briefings etc
As people have already said, you'll need the full FIA gear- right down to your socks.
Take food and drink into the circuit with you. The circuit operates a bewildering token system for purchasing food and drink which doubles the amount of queuing. Each token is three Euros. Nothing costs less than one token and that includes the worst cup of tea or coffee you've ever had (powdered creamer, I kid you not). You have a choice of chips and meat on site. If you don't want that you can have meat or chips.
I believe the circuit has been known to fine racing clubs for leaving the paddock messy (oil spills etc) so take a drain pan and tarp.
If you are camping remember that the La Source end of the paddock permanently smells like sewerage. It's been a while since I 'camped' there but the showers were good.
If you have spares which you might need and have space for, take them. I did the round trip through the night in 11 hours.
I raced there for the first time, this September in the Spa Six hours meeting. I was racing in the Masters Historic Sports Cars, which is a FIA event so the minimum licence is an International C. But your regs should say which grade you need, as other have said if its a club meeting then probably National A.
Although my event was allocated F1 garages, I did not use them as it was 150 euro change payable in cash!!! and they are very big and noisey!!! Also the guys running my car were down in the lower paddock running a car in an HSCC event.
Allow your self plenty of time to get from the lower paddocks to the collecting area if you are using the F1 garages or to any briefings as its a good 10 min up hill walk!!! There is a Total?? fuel station there too. Not sure what grades and price as my car uses 105 race fuel, which is supplied by Anglo American. There were set up in another outer paddock so once again is does take some time driving about to get the stuff!!
What the guys have said earlier re race kit, they will inspect everything including underwear, socks etc. It was a fairly painful experience getting the car scrutineered too as none of the local scrutineers spoke much english!!!
Testing is worth doing if its available, but be aware that you pay on the day, 250 euro per 40 min? session, also only in cash!!!!!
There were a couple of trailers selling some spares and race kit/visors etc.
Its is an epic circuit and well worth the trip!!!!
Although my event was allocated F1 garages, I did not use them as it was 150 euro change payable in cash!!! and they are very big and noisey!!! Also the guys running my car were down in the lower paddock running a car in an HSCC event.
Allow your self plenty of time to get from the lower paddocks to the collecting area if you are using the F1 garages or to any briefings as its a good 10 min up hill walk!!! There is a Total?? fuel station there too. Not sure what grades and price as my car uses 105 race fuel, which is supplied by Anglo American. There were set up in another outer paddock so once again is does take some time driving about to get the stuff!!
What the guys have said earlier re race kit, they will inspect everything including underwear, socks etc. It was a fairly painful experience getting the car scrutineered too as none of the local scrutineers spoke much english!!!
Testing is worth doing if its available, but be aware that you pay on the day, 250 euro per 40 min? session, also only in cash!!!!!
There were a couple of trailers selling some spares and race kit/visors etc.
Its is an epic circuit and well worth the trip!!!!
Roadbook who organise some of the club events at Spa produce a Log Book to help competitors with things. Whilst some details are pertinent to that event or that organisation, much will be the same.
One such log book is here:
2013 http://www.challenge-gt-tourisme.eu/IMG/pdf/LogBoo...
2017 https://hscc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Log... AND https://hscc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Pre...
Yes, there is a Total filling station in the lower paddock.
As a previous poster, we used a Sunoco control fuel, and that meant collecting it from the lower paddock - its a long walk, so if possible take a motorised vehicle to collect.
Book ferry tickets in good time. Whilst sailings from other ports may be cheaper, if you miss one you've got a longer wait before the next. Book flexi tickets!
The last time I went I couldn't get the tickets I wanted, so I went out in the race truck first and had to camp outside the gates, whilst everyone else came over in a motorhome the following day - we were running several cars so were always taking either two or three vehicles.
Its generally not as slick as a UK race meeting.
Make sure you have your european health card (just in case)
Make sure you have the necessary high-vis / bulbs etc., to comply with local laws
Decide what parts you are going to need, including silly things that you can't manage without. It would be a shame to miss out because you left XXX at home.
One such log book is here:
2013 http://www.challenge-gt-tourisme.eu/IMG/pdf/LogBoo...
2017 https://hscc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Log... AND https://hscc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Pre...
Yes, there is a Total filling station in the lower paddock.
As a previous poster, we used a Sunoco control fuel, and that meant collecting it from the lower paddock - its a long walk, so if possible take a motorised vehicle to collect.
Book ferry tickets in good time. Whilst sailings from other ports may be cheaper, if you miss one you've got a longer wait before the next. Book flexi tickets!
The last time I went I couldn't get the tickets I wanted, so I went out in the race truck first and had to camp outside the gates, whilst everyone else came over in a motorhome the following day - we were running several cars so were always taking either two or three vehicles.
Its generally not as slick as a UK race meeting.
Make sure you have your european health card (just in case)
Make sure you have the necessary high-vis / bulbs etc., to comply with local laws
Decide what parts you are going to need, including silly things that you can't manage without. It would be a shame to miss out because you left XXX at home.
Edited by andrewcliffe on Wednesday 12th December 18:09
Thanks everyone for the replies - a few answers/comments:
- I have my National A licence
- Racing Caterham's under BRSCC - I'm going to contact them as well, but thought I'd try here (more is more after all). Ditto people in the paddock (first year in this particular series)
- Noted on the cash - any cashpoints on site accessible from pits/paddock area without a long trip?
- Interesting one on the foam filled tank.... not sure the caterham (upgraded from Academy 2016 spec) has that by default, and the regs preclude changing anything.... I'll need to have a chat with the championship scrutineer I think to see what they do here?
4 hrs from Calais to the circuit,avoid rush hour around Brussels.
Road signage changes en route from French to Walloon ,so Liege becomes Luik for example.
In October fuel at the circuit was same price as on the motorways,you can pay by card.
The circuit like deposits in cash for just about everything you can think of.
The Pizza place in Francorchamps is very good and very popular.
There is a Carrefour hypermarket in Malmedy.
Road signage changes en route from French to Walloon ,so Liege becomes Luik for example.
In October fuel at the circuit was same price as on the motorways,you can pay by card.
The circuit like deposits in cash for just about everything you can think of.
The Pizza place in Francorchamps is very good and very popular.
There is a Carrefour hypermarket in Malmedy.
I don't recall seeing any cash machines at the circuit and I think I did ask and they said that there weren't any. I would just get the cash here before you go. Remember its somewhat like the uk 20/30 years ago over there. You won't find shops open late and B and Q's on every corner!!!!
Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff