Whats the best European F1 GP to go to???
Discussion
I really want to go see the F1 thing before the new engine regulations come into effect,
SO:
Where should I go?
How much will it cost?
Best to combine with a weeks hol?
I quite fancy stretching the Porkers legs over in europe too so this might be an ideal opportunity? What do you think?
Where have you guys/gals been and how did you rate the tracks / area / ammenities / ease of access etc etc etc???
Cheers
Dom
SO:
Where should I go?
How much will it cost?
Best to combine with a weeks hol?
I quite fancy stretching the Porkers legs over in europe too so this might be an ideal opportunity? What do you think?
Where have you guys/gals been and how did you rate the tracks / area / ammenities / ease of access etc etc etc???
Cheers
Dom
Best circuit - Spa
Best City / atmosphere - Budapest If you pick the right spot, you can see most of the circuit. Everythin is relatively cheap. People are great. Women are stunning ( We decided that they do a "minger sweep" to get rid of the swamp donkeys a couple of days before the fans arrive)
Most knowledgable & Friendly fans - Monza
Best pose value - Monaco
But thats just my opinion!
Steve
Best City / atmosphere - Budapest If you pick the right spot, you can see most of the circuit. Everythin is relatively cheap. People are great. Women are stunning ( We decided that they do a "minger sweep" to get rid of the swamp donkeys a couple of days before the fans arrive)
Most knowledgable & Friendly fans - Monza
Best pose value - Monaco
But thats just my opinion!
Steve
Monza.
Fly to malpensa airport
get the train to milan
Stay at the michelangeo in milan (right by the station)
get the train to the GP (free)
it's just so easy, everything that silverstone isn't. Great track, great easy going fans (the only place 2 noisy BAR fans could sit in an entirely ferrari supporting stand).
Fly to malpensa airport
get the train to milan
Stay at the michelangeo in milan (right by the station)
get the train to the GP (free)
it's just so easy, everything that silverstone isn't. Great track, great easy going fans (the only place 2 noisy BAR fans could sit in an entirely ferrari supporting stand).
Barcelona....
No need to hire cars. The best city transport system I have seen. Train out to the circuit all race weekend, great views on the start / finish or turn 1.
www.circuitcat.com
Great for sightseeing. You buy a city tour ticket and it is as good as a taxi as you can get on / off at all the tourist spots. Find a bar in the backstreets off the city centre and booze is cheap. Stay clear of the Ramblas.
Good accomodation - Apsis Hotel Splendid. central and cheap.
No need to hire cars. The best city transport system I have seen. Train out to the circuit all race weekend, great views on the start / finish or turn 1.
www.circuitcat.com
Great for sightseeing. You buy a city tour ticket and it is as good as a taxi as you can get on / off at all the tourist spots. Find a bar in the backstreets off the city centre and booze is cheap. Stay clear of the Ramblas.
Good accomodation - Apsis Hotel Splendid. central and cheap.
It's Monza for me...
Went to the GP in September 2001, on honeymoon no less. Stayed another week in Italy, and took a trip down to Maranello.
Managed to see Badoer testing the F1 car at Fiorano, visit the Ferrari museum AND saw the Enzo prototype all within the space of about 3 hours. Even got the pictures of the prototype somewhere.
Then, we left Maranello & headed towards Bologna, and had a quick visit to the Lamborghini factory.
Which was nice...
Went to the GP in September 2001, on honeymoon no less. Stayed another week in Italy, and took a trip down to Maranello.
Managed to see Badoer testing the F1 car at Fiorano, visit the Ferrari museum AND saw the Enzo prototype all within the space of about 3 hours. Even got the pictures of the prototype somewhere.
Then, we left Maranello & headed towards Bologna, and had a quick visit to the Lamborghini factory.
Which was nice...
There are three worth considering before others.
If you are on a budget and go with mates, then Spa is a must. Walk round the circuit and see some of the best corners in the world, that come alive when an F1 car goes through them. Blanchimont is mega... It is only about 3-4 hours from Calais and you can camp close to the circuit.
If you want to take your girlfriend and stay in a hotel, buy a package and do Monaco. Fantastic atmosphere, and through the swimming pool complex the cars are just awesome.
If you are lucky enough to enjoy being a guest with hospitality, then Monza is a great race with some really animated fans..
I found Barcelona and Magny Cours quite dull.
Silverstone can be quite entertaining as it does throw up a good race every now and then. Make sure you watch from Vale or Becketts.
If you are on a budget and go with mates, then Spa is a must. Walk round the circuit and see some of the best corners in the world, that come alive when an F1 car goes through them. Blanchimont is mega... It is only about 3-4 hours from Calais and you can camp close to the circuit.
If you want to take your girlfriend and stay in a hotel, buy a package and do Monaco. Fantastic atmosphere, and through the swimming pool complex the cars are just awesome.
If you are lucky enough to enjoy being a guest with hospitality, then Monza is a great race with some really animated fans..
I found Barcelona and Magny Cours quite dull.
Silverstone can be quite entertaining as it does throw up a good race every now and then. Make sure you watch from Vale or Becketts.
phatgixer said:
If you are on a budget and go with mates, then Spa is a must. Walk round the circuit and see some of the best corners in the world, that come alive when an F1 car goes through them. Blanchimont is mega... It is only about 3-4 hours from Calais and you can camp close to the circuit.
Mmmm - food for thought indeed!
Cheers
Dom
www.grandprix-tickets.com
this is a good website as it shows you where general admission gets you at the circuts before you decide whether or not you will need a grandstand to see anyhting of note. having now seen the price of some european grand prix, and with the rise of low cost airlines, it would take an awful lot to ever get me back to silverstone for the grand prix....
this is a good website as it shows you where general admission gets you at the circuts before you decide whether or not you will need a grandstand to see anyhting of note. having now seen the price of some european grand prix, and with the rise of low cost airlines, it would take an awful lot to ever get me back to silverstone for the grand prix....
mybrainhurts said:
Where should I go?
Why not do something productive....
Like a two hour snooze.......?
You should go just for the sheer experiance of it, the noise alone is worth the trip. If you're into racing then just go on saturday. You get the F1 qualifying which is as good for action as the race these days, and you get all the support races.
mybrainhurts said:
Why not do something productive....
Like a two hour snooze.......?
You don't go to a Grand Prix to watch the racing. You go for the sound (a F1 engine on full chat still makes my spine tingle and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end), the smell, the atmosphere.
>> Edited by JonRB on Monday 10th January 10:01
This is the whole point I guess. I cant imagine what these things smell and sound like hurtling along at 19 - 20,000 revs on the limit of the cars capabilities.
I admit that the spectacle has been somewhat spoilt by the continuing dominance of Ferrari - and TBH, I look forward to some of the other teams catching them up and giving them a good spanking now and then. But thats what the sport is all about - pushing the limits of the technologies available within the rules.
Ferrari have just had the people/means to do it better than everyone else so far.
Ultimately, my patriotic side just wants a British driver to give Schumi a good run for his money - and win!
I admit that the spectacle has been somewhat spoilt by the continuing dominance of Ferrari - and TBH, I look forward to some of the other teams catching them up and giving them a good spanking now and then. But thats what the sport is all about - pushing the limits of the technologies available within the rules.
Ferrari have just had the people/means to do it better than everyone else so far.
Ultimately, my patriotic side just wants a British driver to give Schumi a good run for his money - and win!
have booked tickets for the hungarian gp!!
£700 for me and mrs pablo all in. easyjet flights from bristol to budapest, six nights 3* hotel in budapest and three day tickets for the bronze grandstand.
the official hungaroring website are offering a discount on tickets ordered before 31st January. cant remember the url but google will!
read a few guide books in waterstones and budapest is on the cheap side so should be a great week! cant imagine getting the same deal for the british gp somehow!!!
£700 for me and mrs pablo all in. easyjet flights from bristol to budapest, six nights 3* hotel in budapest and three day tickets for the bronze grandstand.
the official hungaroring website are offering a discount on tickets ordered before 31st January. cant remember the url but google will!
read a few guide books in waterstones and budapest is on the cheap side so should be a great week! cant imagine getting the same deal for the british gp somehow!!!
SPA!!!! If you want to drive but don’t want to make it an epic cruise across Europe then you’re really looking at Spa, The Nurburgring or Silverstone (unless of course you fly and hire a car).
Personally I can’t stand Silverstone. Spa is a fabulous circuit in an incredible setting. Think of a four mile version of Brands Hatch in the middle of the Lake District and you’re about halfway there. The drive from Calais takes about three hours and is a bit boring (straight flat motorway all the way). However once you’re there, the surrounding countryside is fully of twisty back roads that are great fun to drive. You can even drive the parts of the old pre 76 GP circuit from Les Coombes to Blanchimont which are public road now (may have to wait for the circus to leave on GP weekend).
Nurburgring is about a 5 hour drive from Calais. It isn’t a great spectator circuit but it’s worth going to drive the Nordshcilef (sp?). However it will probably be a nightmare on GP weekend (if open at all). But, The Nurburgring is only 2 hours drive from Spa so a better option would be to go to Spa for the GP and then head down to the Nurburgring.
Brussels is also only an hour away and is very Parisian so should keep wifey happy . So why not make a week of it. Do the GP one weekend, stay in Brussels during the week and then take the Porker for a good thrashing round the Nurburgring the following weekend?
Barcelona. Cheap, usually hot, fantastic city, beautiful girls, great food and drink, shame the GP is usually dull but it never spoils the trip !
Robbo
www.grandprixdiary.com
Robbo
www.grandprixdiary.com
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