2023 Sportscar Thread (WEC, IMSA, NLS, GT World Challenge)
Discussion
Titan said:
Going to this, and could do with some parking and grandstand advice as information on official site is limited.
Have paid €35 for parking, and this says Coombs. But I’m now not sure that this should have said camping ?
I would like to be closer to the start straight as one of our party has a heart condition condition, and the walk from Coombs is a bit if a way.
Also grandstands. There is nothing about them. Are they open, and is there a charge on the day?
Any advice to make our trip a better one would be greatly appreciated.
No charge in the grandstands, remains to be seen in the one opposite the endurance pits is ready to be used but the Eau Rouge and pit straight stands will be open Have paid €35 for parking, and this says Coombs. But I’m now not sure that this should have said camping ?
I would like to be closer to the start straight as one of our party has a heart condition condition, and the walk from Coombs is a bit if a way.
Also grandstands. There is nothing about them. Are they open, and is there a charge on the day?
Any advice to make our trip a better one would be greatly appreciated.
Titan said:
Going to this, and could do with some parking and grandstand advice as information on official site is limited.
Have paid €35 for parking, and this says Coombs. But I’m now not sure that this should have said camping ?
I would like to be closer to the start straight as one of our party has a heart condition condition, and the walk from Coombs is a bit if a way.
.
Its parkingHave paid €35 for parking, and this says Coombs. But I’m now not sure that this should have said camping ?
I would like to be closer to the start straight as one of our party has a heart condition condition, and the walk from Coombs is a bit if a way.
.
This is the e mail I got last week
Dear customer,
We hope you are well. The TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is approaching fast and we know that traffic can be a problem to reach the event. We want to offer you the possibility to avoid traffic jams and enjoy the event to its fullest.
We have set up a parking Combes which will allow you to easily access the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps by avoiding the traffic on the Francorchamps-Ster side. For this, you just have to take the exit 11 (Malmedy) on the E42 (Battice - Verviers - Trier) and follow the signs to the parking.
We are convinced that this solution will bring you great satisfaction. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards
Les.Coombes is indeed a fair old trek to the pits/paddock. Originally when I saw the same mail I thought “ooh good no car park roulette” but I parked out there once before. It’s not so much at the start of the day but at the end when you’ve been on your feet all day. We’ll take our usual chances and arrive at the La Source end, €8 job.
Bear in mind it’s likely to be very busy this year with extra interest in the growing championship, so the car parks may fill up quickly.
Bear in mind it’s likely to be very busy this year with extra interest in the growing championship, so the car parks may fill up quickly.
FredericRobinson said:
Titan said:
Going to this, and could do with some parking and grandstand advice as information on official site is limited.
Have paid €35 for parking, and this says Coombs. But I’m now not sure that this should have said camping ?
I would like to be closer to the start straight as one of our party has a heart condition condition, and the walk from Coombs is a bit if a way.
Also grandstands. There is nothing about them. Are they open, and is there a charge on the day?
Any advice to make our trip a better one would be greatly appreciated.
No charge in the grandstands, remains to be seen in the one opposite the endurance pits is ready to be used but the Eau Rouge and pit straight stands will be open Have paid €35 for parking, and this says Coombs. But I’m now not sure that this should have said camping ?
I would like to be closer to the start straight as one of our party has a heart condition condition, and the walk from Coombs is a bit if a way.
Also grandstands. There is nothing about them. Are they open, and is there a charge on the day?
Any advice to make our trip a better one would be greatly appreciated.
Interesting qualifying session - and a 'weirdly slow' off for Hartley at Eau Rouge/Raidillon on cold tyres....
Pole for the #51 Ferrari which was later pinged for supposedly going off track, giving it to Kobayashi in the Toyota.
As ever, LMP2 looks super competitive, United's Blomqvist taking pole.
Pole for the #51 Ferrari which was later pinged for supposedly going off track, giving it to Kobayashi in the Toyota.
As ever, LMP2 looks super competitive, United's Blomqvist taking pole.
I think they are going to have to rethink this no tyre warmer thing, Bamber also came very close to a spin there, if the corner was later in the lap it might not be such an issue, but the tyres are ambient at best and the cars are designed to work with them hot, Brendan did very little wrong.
I think the amount of damage caused by this tyre wamer issue more than outweighs any environmental benefits cause by using even basic tyre warmers.
I see no need for a return to heaters, that is pointless but basic tyre warmers are a staple on anything from f1 to track days.
I think the amount of damage caused by this tyre wamer issue more than outweighs any environmental benefits cause by using even basic tyre warmers.
I see no need for a return to heaters, that is pointless but basic tyre warmers are a staple on anything from f1 to track days.
LukeBrown66 said:
I think they are going to have to rethink this no tyre warmer thing, Bamber also came very close to a spin there, if the corner was later in the lap it might not be such an issue, but the tyres are ambient at best and the cars are designed to work with them hot, Brendan did very little wrong.
I think the amount of damage caused by this tyre wamer issue more than outweighs any environmental benefits cause by using even basic tyre warmers.
I see no need for a return to heaters, that is pointless but basic tyre warmers are a staple on anything from f1 to track days.
Prophetic stuff. I wonder if a basic standardised switchable traction control system might be the answer. I think the amount of damage caused by this tyre wamer issue more than outweighs any environmental benefits cause by using even basic tyre warmers.
I see no need for a return to heaters, that is pointless but basic tyre warmers are a staple on anything from f1 to track days.
Standardised so it can’t be developed to produce an advantage for a single team, switchable so it can be used whilst tyres are cold.
Leithen said:
LukeBrown66 said:
I think they are going to have to rethink this no tyre warmer thing, Bamber also came very close to a spin there, if the corner was later in the lap it might not be such an issue, but the tyres are ambient at best and the cars are designed to work with them hot, Brendan did very little wrong.
I think the amount of damage caused by this tyre wamer issue more than outweighs any environmental benefits cause by using even basic tyre warmers.
I see no need for a return to heaters, that is pointless but basic tyre warmers are a staple on anything from f1 to track days.
Prophetic stuff. I wonder if a basic standardised switchable traction control system might be the answer. I think the amount of damage caused by this tyre wamer issue more than outweighs any environmental benefits cause by using even basic tyre warmers.
I see no need for a return to heaters, that is pointless but basic tyre warmers are a staple on anything from f1 to track days.
Standardised so it can’t be developed to produce an advantage for a single team, switchable so it can be used whilst tyres are cold.
I have the same views about F1 drivers who moan it'll "dangerous" - it's not, just use less right foot - "but I don't want to" - sorry, what you really mean is the other guy might be slightly better at it than you, so you may lose a place - boo-hoo, suck it up and get better/learn.
I had the pleasure of working with brendon in lmp2 at lemans and others , hes a great driver, one of the best, if he got it wrong then there is a problem, ive first hand seen the data involved, and he was so light on the throttle it should have never let go, we used to use tyre ovens in wec, they cost alot les than tyre blankets, and usualy take 2 sets of tyres, basicly a tent with a space heater. Not sure why they are no longer legal, but it cant be cost, it may be an enviorment thing as space heaters use kerosine or similar, but they can be electric.
The tyres are not designed to be used cold, no race tyre is. Yes many championships dont use heaters, but often the tyre isnt as extream as the ones used in wec.
I think from a safety view, they should rethink the ruling, and if they were banned on a cost ground, how much does it cost to rebuilt a hypercar toyota compaired to a tent and a heater? And in that case im sure the envioroment arguement doesnt stack up either.
In the race today there were many very quick drivers caught out by this, and i fear we will see someone hurt. Especialy at lemans when it gets cold at night.
The tyres are not designed to be used cold, no race tyre is. Yes many championships dont use heaters, but often the tyre isnt as extream as the ones used in wec.
I think from a safety view, they should rethink the ruling, and if they were banned on a cost ground, how much does it cost to rebuilt a hypercar toyota compaired to a tent and a heater? And in that case im sure the envioroment arguement doesnt stack up either.
In the race today there were many very quick drivers caught out by this, and i fear we will see someone hurt. Especialy at lemans when it gets cold at night.
andybracing said:
I
The tyres are not designed to be used cold, no race tyre is.
I hadn't thought of that - fair enough.The tyres are not designed to be used cold, no race tyre is.
But surely if the rules say no tyre blankets / heaters, then the tyres should be designed to manage that - if that means a compromise on ultimate grip or life or means different tyres to cover very hot vs very cold ambient, so be it, but it would be the same for all.
Ultimately, managing cold tyres should be a skill (after all the FIA makes F3 & F2 drivers learn how to do it, only to ditch that when they get to F1), and if as you state (& I'm not disbelieving you) a driver with very good throttle control is struggling, then the organisers / series owners should fix that, not simply give up on the idea.
The problem is that this series races from Bahrain in 40 degree heat to Spa where it was 6 degrees today. No slick tyre is supposed to work at that sort of temperature. And these are full on professional drivers who have done this sort of thing for years, and even in Sebring it was catching the out, so this is nothing to do with driver ability.
The problem i see is that without warmers the tyres are literally lethal on the first couple of laps, some teams like Ferrari struggle more than most Molina lost it in a straight line for God's sake and that to me is just not on, this is costing teams tens of thousands in damage alone. And after all the hype when you have teams losing a race because the tyres are like stone bricks for 5 minutes that is also not good for the show long term.
This could also happen at Le mans where there is often bad weather and the consequences there are not to be sniffed at.
However, back to the event and if you are not watching this and watching that tripe in Baku I can only sympathise, the driving in this beggars belief, 6 hours in and most podiums are not settled, yes there were safety cars and stuff, but Calado at the end was monstrous to get 3rd, it is amazing stuff and hopefully starts to creep into the viewing publics awareness. I know it is tough for 5 hours, I know it is not easy, but save yourself 450 quid, get a season pass, dont spend your life savings at Dumperstone and watch this instead, you will not regret if you CAN open your mind and eyes a little.
As right now other than perhaps WRC there is no finer driving on display anywhere in the world for me
The problem i see is that without warmers the tyres are literally lethal on the first couple of laps, some teams like Ferrari struggle more than most Molina lost it in a straight line for God's sake and that to me is just not on, this is costing teams tens of thousands in damage alone. And after all the hype when you have teams losing a race because the tyres are like stone bricks for 5 minutes that is also not good for the show long term.
This could also happen at Le mans where there is often bad weather and the consequences there are not to be sniffed at.
However, back to the event and if you are not watching this and watching that tripe in Baku I can only sympathise, the driving in this beggars belief, 6 hours in and most podiums are not settled, yes there were safety cars and stuff, but Calado at the end was monstrous to get 3rd, it is amazing stuff and hopefully starts to creep into the viewing publics awareness. I know it is tough for 5 hours, I know it is not easy, but save yourself 450 quid, get a season pass, dont spend your life savings at Dumperstone and watch this instead, you will not regret if you CAN open your mind and eyes a little.
As right now other than perhaps WRC there is no finer driving on display anywhere in the world for me
Agreed re the tyre warmer issue - we’re lucky nothing too serious happened in what started as very cool, damp conditions today.
On the big plus side, it appears that all the new entries are a real crowd-puller. I was there today and it was clearly busier than the previous editions. On the minus side is it has become clear that Spa’s access and traffic management is woefully inadequate - we planned to arrive early and it took two and a half hours of queuing to get through the gate…
On the big plus side, it appears that all the new entries are a real crowd-puller. I was there today and it was clearly busier than the previous editions. On the minus side is it has become clear that Spa’s access and traffic management is woefully inadequate - we planned to arrive early and it took two and a half hours of queuing to get through the gate…
I think this was my 7th Spa WEC, reckon the crowd was probably double any of the others, was camping on site so don’t know about getting in, but I was amazed to drive straight out and away afterwards.
If lack of tyre warmers was going to cause an issue it was always going to be Spa in April, several cars looped it at the pit exit over the weekend and the Hypercars in particular looked like they were driving on ice coming out of the pits.
We’re going to need Toyota to have a 15 min pit stop issue early on at Le Mans to make the top class an interesting battle I reckon
If lack of tyre warmers was going to cause an issue it was always going to be Spa in April, several cars looped it at the pit exit over the weekend and the Hypercars in particular looked like they were driving on ice coming out of the pits.
We’re going to need Toyota to have a 15 min pit stop issue early on at Le Mans to make the top class an interesting battle I reckon
I do not think you can expect the Hypercar teams to get anywhere near Toyota yet, they have a 2 years head start and this years car is a vast improvement on last years.
Peugeot I think have got it totally wrong, they must be spending fortunes and yet the car is only quicker than the Glick and Vanwall, a private team came in today and mullered them in a 963, not good. Glick were close at times last year, almost P2 pace this year at times, shows how things have moved on. Vanwall is reliable but slow and JV needs to go.
Ferrari seem the closest, bit like Acura in GTP they got it right, Caddy just lack a little something as do Porsche surprisingly.
Peugeot I think have got it totally wrong, they must be spending fortunes and yet the car is only quicker than the Glick and Vanwall, a private team came in today and mullered them in a 963, not good. Glick were close at times last year, almost P2 pace this year at times, shows how things have moved on. Vanwall is reliable but slow and JV needs to go.
Ferrari seem the closest, bit like Acura in GTP they got it right, Caddy just lack a little something as do Porsche surprisingly.
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