Going to F1 GP's on your own....
Discussion
Yes I'm a sad lonely man before anyone asks!!
Very few of my friends are into F1 and the ones that are can't afford to go and see it basically with young families etc.
I'm planning on going to see a couple next year, British isn't too much of an issue, but does anyone have much experience of venturing over to Belgium etc by themselves to watch the GP, is it easy to get chatting with people there, are there many others in the same boat etc etc ....??
Very few of my friends are into F1 and the ones that are can't afford to go and see it basically with young families etc.
I'm planning on going to see a couple next year, British isn't too much of an issue, but does anyone have much experience of venturing over to Belgium etc by themselves to watch the GP, is it easy to get chatting with people there, are there many others in the same boat etc etc ....??
Haven't done this on my own but depends on how you want to get there. Some tour operators may have facilities to pair up with others, alternatively if you go there by coach you're bound to hook up with others. First trip I did to Belgium I went with a mate and got on well with the other travellers, after all you've got something in common.
kevin ritson said:
Haven't done this on my own but depends on how you want to get there. Some tour operators may have facilities to pair up with others, alternatively if you go there by coach you're bound to hook up with others. First trip I did to Belgium I went with a mate and got on well with the other travellers, after all you've got something in common.
i hadn't actually thought about doing it that way so i'll have a look into it.. cheers.I've not been to Spa for a GP but we do go for the GT 24 hours and we camp at the Eau Rouge campsite. The motorsport folks get put in a separate overflow field and we've always found plenty of folks to talk to (and drink with!) there.
The locals often don't speak great English but you'll find Danes and Dutch and other Brits there I imagine.
I wouldn't be put off by the solo travelling but I would try to stay somewhere that you'll have folks to chat to, either by camping or to a hotel with a group.
The locals often don't speak great English but you'll find Danes and Dutch and other Brits there I imagine.
I wouldn't be put off by the solo travelling but I would try to stay somewhere that you'll have folks to chat to, either by camping or to a hotel with a group.
Piglet said:
I've not been to Spa for a GP but we do go for the GT 24 hours and we camp at the Eau Rouge campsite. The motorsport folks get put in a separate overflow field and we've always found plenty of folks to talk to (and drink with!) there.
The locals often don't speak great English but you'll find Danes and Dutch and other Brits there I imagine.
I wouldn't be put off by the solo travelling but I would try to stay somewhere that you'll have folks to chat to, either by camping or to a hotel with a group.
cheers piglet, useful info, appreciate it.The locals often don't speak great English but you'll find Danes and Dutch and other Brits there I imagine.
I wouldn't be put off by the solo travelling but I would try to stay somewhere that you'll have folks to chat to, either by camping or to a hotel with a group.
Spa is quite easy, as is Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona - unfortunately you won't get cheap flights for either of these events. Both of them are cheaper than the British one.
For Spa, travel from Brussels (Charleroi or Zaventum) airports by taxi is not 'too' expensive, but the train is good as well, or you can hire a car and drive in about an hour (can be done faster when the GP is not on of course).
For Barcelona, it's a bit more difficult as there's no train near the track, so it's either train to somewhere like Mataro (biggest, close station), or St Andreu (closer, but tiny and no taxis waiting, and you have to change at Mataro anyway) - I've got a pal who lives in St Andreu, so that's where I go. If you've don't mind riding a scooter or motorbike then that's a good way to get to the circuit (assuming you can find one to hire).
For Spa, travel from Brussels (Charleroi or Zaventum) airports by taxi is not 'too' expensive, but the train is good as well, or you can hire a car and drive in about an hour (can be done faster when the GP is not on of course).
For Barcelona, it's a bit more difficult as there's no train near the track, so it's either train to somewhere like Mataro (biggest, close station), or St Andreu (closer, but tiny and no taxis waiting, and you have to change at Mataro anyway) - I've got a pal who lives in St Andreu, so that's where I go. If you've don't mind riding a scooter or motorbike then that's a good way to get to the circuit (assuming you can find one to hire).
mmm-five said:
For Barcelona, it's a bit more difficult as there's no train near the track.
Sorry mmm-five you are wrong there is a train station that stops directly outside the circuit!!See here http://www.circuitcat.com/ingles/motogp/como_llega...
Neil
I went to Spa for the F1 this year, I went with my tea-total 60yr old dad so was happy to chat to some younger people for more interesting conversation!! (sorry Dad!)
We went with Page & Moy and met some really nice people and a good mix of true petrol heads and first timers (like we were). Some like to keep themselves to themselves but others are happy to share a beer and lament over the british drivers performances!!
At the circuit itself there are plenty of people to talk to, if you want to. As everyone has a common interest it's not hard to strike up a conversation, and you can't help but chat to the people around you whilst you're waiting for the racing to start.
I'd definitely go on my own. You won't look sad - just keep pretending your mates are about to join you... any minute now.... honest...
We went with Page & Moy and met some really nice people and a good mix of true petrol heads and first timers (like we were). Some like to keep themselves to themselves but others are happy to share a beer and lament over the british drivers performances!!
At the circuit itself there are plenty of people to talk to, if you want to. As everyone has a common interest it's not hard to strike up a conversation, and you can't help but chat to the people around you whilst you're waiting for the racing to start.
I'd definitely go on my own. You won't look sad - just keep pretending your mates are about to join you... any minute now.... honest...
Miss Pitstop said:
I went to Spa for the F1 this year, I went with my tea-total 60yr old dad so was happy to chat to some younger people for more interesting conversation!! (sorry Dad!)
We went with Page & Moy and met some really nice people and a good mix of true petrol heads and first timers (like we were). Some like to keep themselves to themselves but others are happy to share a beer and lament over the british drivers performances!!
At the circuit itself there are plenty of people to talk to, if you want to. As everyone has a common interest it's not hard to strike up a conversation, and you can't help but chat to the people around you whilst you're waiting for the racing to start.
I'd definitely go on my own. You won't look sad - just keep pretending your mates are about to join you... any minute now.... honest...
Thanks Miss Pitstop, i've just taken a look at the Page and Moy website and it looks very good.We went with Page & Moy and met some really nice people and a good mix of true petrol heads and first timers (like we were). Some like to keep themselves to themselves but others are happy to share a beer and lament over the british drivers performances!!
At the circuit itself there are plenty of people to talk to, if you want to. As everyone has a common interest it's not hard to strike up a conversation, and you can't help but chat to the people around you whilst you're waiting for the racing to start.
I'd definitely go on my own. You won't look sad - just keep pretending your mates are about to join you... any minute now.... honest...
Thanks for the info, i'll start practising the looking for my friends technique
ngr said:
mmm-five said:
For Barcelona, it's a bit more difficult as there's no train near the track.
Sorry mmm-five you are wrong there is a train station that stops directly outside the circuit!!See here http://www.circuitcat.com/ingles/motogp/como_llega...
Neil
(and it's not even a new station) although to be fair I stay with a friend in St Andreu, so never actually have to get there on the train 
Edited by mmm-five on Friday 26th October 17:28
Been to Monza on my tod many times. Squeezed in next to this huge I rish fella and his bird. Thought we were going to come to blows but after a short while we both looked at each other and burst out laughing. Turns out they were on their honeymoon... got on really really well the whole weekend..
Its easy to make friends at races, almost everyone shares thesame interest.. all good fun at the end of the day no matter what tribe youre from of which team you back..
Its easy to make friends at races, almost everyone shares thesame interest.. all good fun at the end of the day no matter what tribe youre from of which team you back..
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