Blancpain Spa 24 hours 2017

Blancpain Spa 24 hours 2017

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Don1

Original Poster:

15,936 posts

207 months

Saturday 29th April 2017
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Any tips or hints please? Wondering about camping or hotels....

Thanks!

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Wednesday 3rd May 2017
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Camping can be done on circuit in the car parks or in the fields behind Les Combes, I believe the car parks can be a bit boisterous but if you are in the wrong place you should be able to move, Les Combes was pretty peaceful last year, it cost me 45€ for a campervan and that's where I'll be heading again this year.
If you want a 'proper' campsite there's camping Eau Rouge which is about half and hour walk along the old track towards Stavelot, they were wanting bookings for the full week last year though as it's peak Dutch school holiday season, nice site though, there's also Camping Spa d'or which plenty of people like, not been there myself though. It's a bit further away though, driving needed. I think there's also options in Stavelot village.
As for hotels, I've no idea, but you should be able to find something not too far away or expensive, Liege isn't that far.
The usual Spa rules apply, pack most of the clothes you own and a good pair of boots, walk the full track.
Don't be surprised if there's more safety car than racing on the Saturday, it's a cracking event though, and well recommended.
I love Spa me, setting off for there in 10 hours.

Don1

Original Poster:

15,936 posts

207 months

Thursday 4th May 2017
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Massively useful, thank you.

Ahonen

5,015 posts

278 months

Tuesday 9th May 2017
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There's a very good campsite opposite the Racing Hotel in Francorchamps. Good showers and handy for supplies from the village and eating/drinking etc. It will be a little lively due to its location, but the easy access to facilities more than makes up for it. When I started going to the 24 in 1990 the camping was unbelievably primitive - we were literally just in fields between the village and the track, without any facilities, but still had a brilliant time.

It is an amazing race and the speeds are startling these days. It's hard to believe these 1.3 tonne modified road cars are flat through Raidillon now...

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Wednesday 10th May 2017
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The majority of the cars will be running this weekend at Silverstone in a 3 hour race if you want a preview

Gordon-drp9q

1 posts

81 months

Tuesday 6th June 2017
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I am also looking to be camping and noticed Frederik got a camping pass at Les Combes. how would I go about getting ticket for there as I was looking last year but couldnt get and camping tickets for there.

Could you advise?

Mountain Man

91 posts

81 months

Saturday 24th June 2017
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Hotels : The ones is the village are almost certainly booked up by now, the one I've used before at Relais de Pommard is, but as was suggested Liege isn't far and where I'm staying this year.

In terms of the experience, personally I think the Paddock tickets are worth the little bit extra, I like watching from above the pits and even on race day its not too busy. If you are there earlier in the week, the parade into town and autograph session is good, and better than the pit walks which get busy.

In terms of other stuff, its one of the good circuits to photograph at due to decent windows in the fences

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Saturday 24th June 2017
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For Les Combescamping just turn up and pay, I don't think passes are available in advance

Jmorgan93

380 posts

132 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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Hi guys. Have decided fairly last minute to go to this with my dad, driving up saturday back sunday and have a hotel room booked for saturday night. Does anybody have a clue which car park to aim for near the top end of the circuit, having seen some of you saying they get used for camping? Any other info about the event, havent been before! Whats access round the circuit like, how busy is it when leaving etc.

Thanks!

chevronb37

6,471 posts

185 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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I went in 2014 - I wrote a bit of a report with some photos here which might help: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2014/spa-24-hours...

We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.

Enjoy!

37chevy

3,280 posts

155 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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chevronb37 said:
I went in 2014 - I wrote a bit of a report with some photos here which might help: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2014/spa-24-hours...

We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.

Enjoy!
Awesome thanks for that. We are planning on doing Bruges, Ghent and leuven before heading down to Spa. Hopefully won't get lost! I'm hoping there's a bit of English commentary this year,gonna download the blancpain app just in case!

Don1

Original Poster:

15,936 posts

207 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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Dammit. New role wants me to start asap.... next year!

Jmorgan93

380 posts

132 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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chevronb37 said:
I went in 2014 - I wrote a bit of a report with some photos here which might help: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2014/spa-24-hours...

We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.

Enjoy!
Very helpful thank you, we've got paddock passes, glad we did that!

Mountain Man

91 posts

81 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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With regards commentary, IIRC the local commentary has bits of English mixed in. It's not great tbh.

But unlike Le Mans they have a proper lighting number scheme. Each car has on the windscreen and side an LED panel displaying the cars position in class, in different colours per class. It makes life a lot easier than the silly Le Man's 3 light system

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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And there's screens opposite the grandstands, and one at Les Combes so it's fairly easy to follow the race. Talking of stands the one opposite the old pits offers one of the best views in the world, but sit towards the back, the one opposite the F1 pits has the only dull view in the track IMO, getting about the circuit is not to be missed though.

Mountain Man

91 posts

81 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
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I don't think the F1 pits stand is the best, but its worth popping in for a bit. Its excellent for getting a blast of sound as they accelerate past and the roof adds to the noise. If you sit on the right you get a view of the run into and through the chicane.

I completely agree about getting out and about the circuit though. Especially up the top the circuit. Bruxelles is my favourite spot on the whole circuit, you get so close to the cars and then on the exit it combines an amazing long view. Also its worth just sitting and watching on the Kemmel straight, its good for overtaking and the slope means they aren't just whizzing past.

Ahonen

5,015 posts

278 months

Thursday 20th July 2017
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Mountain Man said:
Bruxelles is my favourite spot on the whole circuit, you get so close to the cars and then on the exit it combines an amazing long view.
Yep, agreed. I always used to take photos from Bruxelles with the Bus Stop and start/finish straight in the background. It also gives you a great perspective with regards to just how big the track is and how much gradient change there is.

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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No mention of the race in the schedule on Radio Le Mans, so looks like no availability of English commentary even via the internet, I'd expect there to be regular updates on Daily Sportscar though.

Munter

31,319 posts

240 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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FredericRobinson said:
No mention of the race in the schedule on Radio Le Mans, so looks like no availability of English commentary even via the internet, I'd expect there to be regular updates on Daily Sportscar though.
If you download the Blancpain app, there is a button for "live radio". I believe you get the audio feed from the live youtube stream on that. Certainly worth downloading the app now, for use at the weekend.

jonny142

1,503 posts

224 months

Thursday 27th July 2017
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