Blancpain Spa 24 hours 2017
Discussion
Not long until the 24hr start .. live again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wknufuWFM6s
GaryHetherington said:
FredericRobinson said:
Yes, and a full weekend ticket on the gate was cheaper than buying on line beforehand
Lovely, thanksMunter said:
If you can get it, and you're going to spend a of time at the circuit, I'd pay the extra to get into the paddock area as well. Much more access to the cars/back of the garages, nicer toilets etc.
Although you will still be able to get into the Paddock without a Paddock ticket on the Thurs and Fri if you're going for more than just the weekend, personally I don't pay the extra, but the toilets are much betterPhilip-8km5h said:
Not meaning to hijack this thread, but can anyone recommend good viewing spots for the Spa 24?
I’ve never been before and would like to find some nice viewing spots that aren’t too packed ideally (if that’s possible?).
As a Le Mans go’er, I don’t mind a trek!
Thanks!
Phil.
Some great views all around the circuit tbh. I can't recommend where's not busy for this event, but would suggest that you just walk it in an anti-clockwise direction.I’ve never been before and would like to find some nice viewing spots that aren’t too packed ideally (if that’s possible?).
As a Le Mans go’er, I don’t mind a trek!
Thanks!
Phil.
Everywhere at Spa is good really, a favourite spot of mine for a nice sit down and contemplation of the world is between Blanchimont and Paul Frere, where the path goes into a tunnel under the track, climb up the bank and sit in the trees.
If you want a grandstand the one opposite the old pits offers better views than the one opposite the F1 pits, but you need to pick the right seat, especially for the start you need to be towards the back, and might need ear plugs, and you need to spend plenty of time at the bottom and the top of Eau Rouge / Radillon.
If you want a grandstand the one opposite the old pits offers better views than the one opposite the F1 pits, but you need to pick the right seat, especially for the start you need to be towards the back, and might need ear plugs, and you need to spend plenty of time at the bottom and the top of Eau Rouge / Radillon.
Firstly walk the circuit in direction of travel. It’s an easier walk going up kemmel straight and down the other side than walking up Mount Everest in the other direction! Great views all around the circuit but go Bruxelles and pouhon for the night bit, really great view. Obviously top of eau rouge too. Oh and you can get on top of the new pit garages which is great for photos
37chevy said:
Firstly walk the circuit in direction of travel. It’s an easier walk going up kemmel straight and down the other side than walking up Mount Everest in the other direction! Great views all around the circuit but go Bruxelles and pouhon for the night bit, really great view. Obviously top of eau rouge too. Oh and you can get on top of the new pit garages which is great for photos
Personally I think it's better to do it in reverse for a few reasons.Firstly you are obviously watching the cars oncoming.
Secondly, you do all the climb in 1 big section. It's harder but a lot shorter as opposed to the long slog up Eau Rouge and the Kemmel.
Thirdly, and most important for me, that feeling of walking down the Kemmel, through the trees and suddenly Eau Rouge opens in front of you is one of the most amazing sights in motorsport. And then you can grab a beer from the East Belgian Racing club and enjoy it
Philip-8km5h said:
Not meaning to hijack this thread, but can anyone recommend good viewing spots for the Spa 24?
I’ve never been before and would like to find some nice viewing spots that aren’t too packed ideally (if that’s possible?).
As a Le Mans go’er, I don’t mind a trek!
Thanks!
Phil.
In terms of a Le Mans comparison you'll notice a few things.I’ve never been before and would like to find some nice viewing spots that aren’t too packed ideally (if that’s possible?).
As a Le Mans go’er, I don’t mind a trek!
Thanks!
Phil.
Firstly, all the way round there are big photography holes cut in the fence so can get proper unobstructed views and photographs. It is a much much more spectator circuit than Le Mans. Its just designed with fans in mind a lot more.
In terms of locations, most places will quiet on Thursday / Friday, and you want to experience Eau Rouge on those days, thats the best time as you can get to one of the viewing windows. On race day, even at 4am you'll get people with their seats there.
In terms of round the circuit. The old grandstands on the downhill post La Source are good, old, but really atmospheric. I was sat in the old uncovered one last year as it got light and it was amazing. You can get in all the grandstands, all race long, no special tickets needed. If you want to get in the grandstand for the start (opposite the old pits not the F1) you probably want to be there 90 mins or so in advance.
Going round, Eau Rouge is Eau Rouge.
The Kemmel straight is a great place to watch as straights go, its up hill so the engines are pushing it, you get a lot of overtaking and the bank gives you long unobstructed views. There are a lot of "seats" where people have dug into the bank you can get quite comfy. I like it in the evening as its starting to get dark, it stays lighter than most of the circuit and if it isnt raining (which it will at some point) then its great to watch.
Les Combes is a good spot, but quite busy. There is a big boulder people climb post the chicane and thats great for seeing cars as they come down to Malmedy.
Bruxelles is my favourite spot on the entire circuit, possibly my favourite spot to watch motorsport at any circuit in the world. On the inside (accessed via a footpath (until this point you walk the circuit on the outside, then you have to go the inside)) you get really close to the cars coming downhill, often side by side. As you go round the corner, the views open up and you can see all the way to La Source and the pits, its a stunning view. Likewise you can view from the outside of the corner if you walk through the campsite, there is a viewing window you are looking straight at the cars coming down into the corner. Its the easiest spot in the world to get good photos.
From Bruxelles the circuit drops steeply to Pouhon, at points you are virtually looking down on the roofs of the cars which is a crazy perspective. The hill is seriously step, personally I think its easier to climb it in terms of direction as opposed to the long slog walking up the Kemmel
Pouhon the barrier is further away than a lot of spots, but still good view. Last year like a lot of people it seemed I just curled up and fell asleep on the bank at something o'clock in the morning.
Then it become poorer viewing for a bit, you can an ok view of Fagnes, albeit standing in a car pack.
I'm told you can view from the outside of Fagnes and Paul Frere but I dont know where?
As far I am aware you have to cut from Fagnes down the bank along a path and under the circuit at the start of Blanchimont. The speed at that point is insane, especially at night as you are standing in the trees.
You then reach the bus stop which is great to watch from. On the F1 start finish straight there is the one modern grandstand, its a bit souless but you do see cars out the chicane. One word of advice, use earplugs in the stand, the noise bounces around the roof. My ears were ringing for 2 hours after being in there for night quali a few years ago.
You cant get great views of La Source as its the one place they have multiple layers of fence (for sensible reasons). But there is a good spot if you walk along from the grandstand up to the ramp out the car park. You get a pretty clear view over the fence of cars braking into the hairpin. Also you can get a bit of a view from inside the paddock (the cars use a long pit lane covering both pits, regardless where their box is, they have to enter at the bus stop run all the way through and exit at Raidllon (which makes all the drive throughs for track limits bewildering))
A few other good spots are:
Above the F1 pits, you can access it via the Paddock, its kinda the same view but better from the Le Mans pits grandstand. In the same place is the restaurant which is stunning views of the run up to and includng final chicane from the outside balcony (and you can also see a strange angle of Eau Rouge across the valley). To get in, you need to buy tokens (e2.50 a drink last year), its not cheap, but if you always have a drink they seem content. The food in there is good, its buffet arrangement for e18 or so, so not cheap, but its nice occaisionly to have non stody burger food.
2 other spots worth noting, you can get up on the old pits roof, its busier than the F1 pits but worth a view for a bit. Also at the bottom of the Eau Rouge next to the pits entrance if you have a Paddock ticket you can watch cars leave the pits through a gate, also its where the support races enter the circuit, so if you want to see them lining up its worth going down. Great for photos.
Non viewing related, but make sure you watch the Super Trofeo races, those are crazy with so many Lamborginis. Also at about 11pm they have a big fire work display at Bruxelles, which is watchable from a lot of the circuit. Also the East Belgian Racing club have a bar at the top of Eau Rouge thats one of the cheaper places to get a beer
Well thats my quick summary of viewing from Spa, but any questions just shout.
Edited by Mountain Man on Sunday 1st July 10:38
Edited by Mountain Man on Sunday 1st July 10:39
Edited by Mountain Man on Sunday 1st July 10:42
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