First GP experience? Spa 21
Discussion
This entire post assumes some level of normality by next summer.
I'm looking at going to Spa next year. Possibly as a whole family (wife, 7 year old, 10 year old). The eldest child is into F1 and would want to attend quali/race, the others wouldn't.
Is there anywhere nice to stay nearby (within an hour or two) that still has something reasonably touristy/enjoyable to do? If not we'll probably leave the other two at home.
Would be looking at hiring a car and travelling to the track on Saturday/Sunday - not fussed for Friday practice. Is this a nightmare with traffic, would the shuttle bus be a better idea? Based on cost alone it's not much worse to hire a car so I fancy the flexibility.
Would probably do the race general admission to keep costs down, plus the views from the grandstands look to be way back from the circuit and possibly not as immersive. Like the idea of being able to move although I suspect it will be very busy, especially after no fans going this year.
Any other pointers or advice would be appreciated, I've got the cost for the full weekend including flights, car hire, accommodation, GP tickets and food to be around £800 which seems reasonable value for a weekend away.
I'm looking at going to Spa next year. Possibly as a whole family (wife, 7 year old, 10 year old). The eldest child is into F1 and would want to attend quali/race, the others wouldn't.
Is there anywhere nice to stay nearby (within an hour or two) that still has something reasonably touristy/enjoyable to do? If not we'll probably leave the other two at home.
Would be looking at hiring a car and travelling to the track on Saturday/Sunday - not fussed for Friday practice. Is this a nightmare with traffic, would the shuttle bus be a better idea? Based on cost alone it's not much worse to hire a car so I fancy the flexibility.
Would probably do the race general admission to keep costs down, plus the views from the grandstands look to be way back from the circuit and possibly not as immersive. Like the idea of being able to move although I suspect it will be very busy, especially after no fans going this year.
Any other pointers or advice would be appreciated, I've got the cost for the full weekend including flights, car hire, accommodation, GP tickets and food to be around £800 which seems reasonable value for a weekend away.
I hope it is normal by next summer and you get to go. Its a great venue.
The general admission areas worth watching from are packed out very early in the morning so you would need to consider this when travelling into the circuit for race day. Pouhon and Kemmel was full by 8am so I am not sure how this would work for you in terms of decent viewing if you opted to stay away from the track and travel in on Sunday morning.
I camped at camping green at the track by Les Combes. I would advise against it if you have the wife and kids as the Dutch do like a party and that comes in the form of some gulf war fireworks and Glastonbury sound speakers all night long! Personally we loved it, but its an acquired taste to put it politely! Each to their own.
The circuit traffic seemed to be OK on Friday but Sat and Sun seemed to be gridlock. Sunday evening in particular was chaos with cars queuing to leave.
I guess it may change a little for 2021 though as they have put the Belgian Grand Prix just one week before the Dutch GP. I cant imagine everyone will do both events so maybe the attendance will be down a touch?
Having spoken to other fans whilst there, it seemed some were staying in hotels in Spa and Liege and others camping up to about 20 miles away. I guess just do your research and you will find something to suit. There is a dedicated 'quiet' campsite at the track which is less nuclear which may be worth a look if you want to guarantee being close by to bag a spot on the banking in the morning.
Whatever you decide to do it was great event and I loved it.
The general admission areas worth watching from are packed out very early in the morning so you would need to consider this when travelling into the circuit for race day. Pouhon and Kemmel was full by 8am so I am not sure how this would work for you in terms of decent viewing if you opted to stay away from the track and travel in on Sunday morning.
I camped at camping green at the track by Les Combes. I would advise against it if you have the wife and kids as the Dutch do like a party and that comes in the form of some gulf war fireworks and Glastonbury sound speakers all night long! Personally we loved it, but its an acquired taste to put it politely! Each to their own.
The circuit traffic seemed to be OK on Friday but Sat and Sun seemed to be gridlock. Sunday evening in particular was chaos with cars queuing to leave.
I guess it may change a little for 2021 though as they have put the Belgian Grand Prix just one week before the Dutch GP. I cant imagine everyone will do both events so maybe the attendance will be down a touch?
Having spoken to other fans whilst there, it seemed some were staying in hotels in Spa and Liege and others camping up to about 20 miles away. I guess just do your research and you will find something to suit. There is a dedicated 'quiet' campsite at the track which is less nuclear which may be worth a look if you want to guarantee being close by to bag a spot on the banking in the morning.
Whatever you decide to do it was great event and I loved it.
TwentyFive said:
I hope it is normal by next summer and you get to go. Its a great venue.
The general admission areas worth watching from are packed out very early in the morning so you would need to consider this when travelling into the circuit for race day. Pouhon and Kemmel was full by 8am so I am not sure how this would work for you in terms of decent viewing if you opted to stay away from the track and travel in on Sunday morning.
I camped at camping green at the track by Les Combes. I would advise against it if you have the wife and kids as the Dutch do like a party and that comes in the form of some gulf war fireworks and Glastonbury sound speakers all night long! Personally we loved it, but its an acquired taste to put it politely! Each to their own.
The circuit traffic seemed to be OK on Friday but Sat and Sun seemed to be gridlock. Sunday evening in particular was chaos with cars queuing to leave.
I guess it may change a little for 2021 though as they have put the Belgian Grand Prix just one week after the Dutch GP. I cant imagine everyone will do both events so maybe the attendance will be down a touch?
Having spoken to other fans whilst there, it seemed some were staying in hotels in Spa and Liege and others camping up to about 20 miles away. I guess just do your research and you will find something to suit. There is a dedicated 'quiet' campsite at the track which is less nuclear which may be worth a look if you want to guarantee being close by to bag a spot on the banking in the morning.
Whatever you decide to do it was great event and I loved it.
Thanks for all the info, sounds great. Camping would not be out of the question but would have to factor in the price of a tent - ours bit the bullet a few years ago.The general admission areas worth watching from are packed out very early in the morning so you would need to consider this when travelling into the circuit for race day. Pouhon and Kemmel was full by 8am so I am not sure how this would work for you in terms of decent viewing if you opted to stay away from the track and travel in on Sunday morning.
I camped at camping green at the track by Les Combes. I would advise against it if you have the wife and kids as the Dutch do like a party and that comes in the form of some gulf war fireworks and Glastonbury sound speakers all night long! Personally we loved it, but its an acquired taste to put it politely! Each to their own.
The circuit traffic seemed to be OK on Friday but Sat and Sun seemed to be gridlock. Sunday evening in particular was chaos with cars queuing to leave.
I guess it may change a little for 2021 though as they have put the Belgian Grand Prix just one week after the Dutch GP. I cant imagine everyone will do both events so maybe the attendance will be down a touch?
Having spoken to other fans whilst there, it seemed some were staying in hotels in Spa and Liege and others camping up to about 20 miles away. I guess just do your research and you will find something to suit. There is a dedicated 'quiet' campsite at the track which is less nuclear which may be worth a look if you want to guarantee being close by to bag a spot on the banking in the morning.
Whatever you decide to do it was great event and I loved it.
Been looking at hotels in Liege which seem good value and only a short drive to the circuit.
Fully expected Sunday post-race to be madness leaving, I think we'd stay an extra night and save the pressure of having to get away for a certain time.
Do they open the track up after the race for fans to walk around? I'm sure I read that somewhere once but might have imagined it. Walking in the tyre tracks of the cars that have just battled it out for 90 minutes would be a nice way to end the weekend and let some of the traffic die down.
There have been a few threads about going to Spa:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There was a set of posts from someone who stayed on site but I can't find it - it may be in the 2019 race thread.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There was a set of posts from someone who stayed on site but I can't find it - it may be in the 2019 race thread.
resolve10 said:
Do they open the track up after the race for fans to walk around? I'm sure I read that somewhere once but might have imagined it. Walking in the tyre tracks of the cars that have just battled it out for 90 minutes would be a nice way to end the weekend and let some of the traffic die down.
I am not sure if it is open the whole way around but it is in parts after the race. I walked back to the campsite on the track itself from the bottom of Eau Rouge, up the Radillion and along the Kemmel straight before leaving the track at Les Combes. Been a couple of times now.
Camped each time.
First time it was pre erected so we didn't have to worry about taking gear with us.
Last year we took it with and got there with plenty of time to get it set up.
We had a decent pitch and it was quiet enough to get some rest (admit , it was soaked with Belgian beer).
Camping F1 was the place and in the evening they had Eddie Jordan come in and speak. Think it was DC the time before.
We stopped at a Lidl nearby and got food / drink so as not to worry about taking too much with us.
The wait for hot food at the camp ground was ridiculous!!
We walked to the track both days and hung about after the race, great opportunity to walk around the track.
For the race we were on the straight after Eau Rouge, there is a steep bank and we managed to get a good spot.
Had to get there early and just settle in... there is a big screen opposite so you can see what is happening at other parts of the race.
Last year we managed to get in the opposite side of the bank (by the screen) and this as wondering though some woods!
It provided great viewing and as you are allowed to bring food / alcohol in, was a great place to chill whilst waiting for the race.
Spa is brilliant and I'd happily go again. Many families go and I'll be taking my lad when he's a bit older.
Camped each time.
First time it was pre erected so we didn't have to worry about taking gear with us.
Last year we took it with and got there with plenty of time to get it set up.
We had a decent pitch and it was quiet enough to get some rest (admit , it was soaked with Belgian beer).
Camping F1 was the place and in the evening they had Eddie Jordan come in and speak. Think it was DC the time before.
We stopped at a Lidl nearby and got food / drink so as not to worry about taking too much with us.
The wait for hot food at the camp ground was ridiculous!!
We walked to the track both days and hung about after the race, great opportunity to walk around the track.
For the race we were on the straight after Eau Rouge, there is a steep bank and we managed to get a good spot.
Had to get there early and just settle in... there is a big screen opposite so you can see what is happening at other parts of the race.
Last year we managed to get in the opposite side of the bank (by the screen) and this as wondering though some woods!
It provided great viewing and as you are allowed to bring food / alcohol in, was a great place to chill whilst waiting for the race.
Spa is brilliant and I'd happily go again. Many families go and I'll be taking my lad when he's a bit older.
Not sure if relevant as it's 15 years since I went but....
It's not like Silverstone, which is a paved, flat pathway around the track
Spa is in the forest, so it's forest-like trails most of the way around and it's properly on a gradient - eau rouge looks very steep when you're at the bottom of it
We expected to walk around the circuit - no chance due to the above, unless you have a lot of time. We went halfway down the kemmel straight and back around to the Bus Stop.
Saturday was busy but not ridiculous. Traffic OK. That may have changed now with Verstappen's army.
We stayed in a caravan park about 15 mins from the circuit. Like more civilised camping, I thought. It was good - kept the rain off, great beer, although there was plenty of noise from pissed up Germans singing for half the night
Race day was busier. Queued a while to get in. Get there early for a decent spot - we were and were still in row 2 of the 4-deep crowd at the Bus Stop. We had GA tickets.
Goes without saying - pack clothes for all weather.
Overall, it was great. I've only ever been to Silverstone as a comparison, but Spa was as good.
It's not like Silverstone, which is a paved, flat pathway around the track
Spa is in the forest, so it's forest-like trails most of the way around and it's properly on a gradient - eau rouge looks very steep when you're at the bottom of it
We expected to walk around the circuit - no chance due to the above, unless you have a lot of time. We went halfway down the kemmel straight and back around to the Bus Stop.
Saturday was busy but not ridiculous. Traffic OK. That may have changed now with Verstappen's army.
We stayed in a caravan park about 15 mins from the circuit. Like more civilised camping, I thought. It was good - kept the rain off, great beer, although there was plenty of noise from pissed up Germans singing for half the night
Race day was busier. Queued a while to get in. Get there early for a decent spot - we were and were still in row 2 of the 4-deep crowd at the Bus Stop. We had GA tickets.
Goes without saying - pack clothes for all weather.
Overall, it was great. I've only ever been to Silverstone as a comparison, but Spa was as good.
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff