Belgian GP - Camping

[Mike_R]

I'm planning a trip to Spa for the Belgian GP this year, and was wondering if anyone who's been recently has any tips regarding the situation with camping. I.e. how easy is it to find camping, should we be booking in advance, anywhere that people would recommend \ avoid ?

Thanks in advance
Mike

[Longers]

This may not apply any more but we camped in 1998 (or was 99...?!) on the local footie pitch - great spot with a short walk to bars and circuit entrance at hairpin plus very hot showers courtesy of the changing rooms. I booked it through one of the ticket agencies (cant remember which) but would try and book direct next time to cut out the middle man.

[ewenm]

I was at Spa last year although not camping. We stayed in Aachen, just over the German border. I'd definitely recommend booking a campsite as they all seemed to be pretty full each day we drove in.

[Muzzer]

We stayed here in 2005.

www.campingspador.be

And very pleasant it was too.

Book in advance. They speak good English so phone them up.

[Miss Pitstop]

On a slightly different topic, do you need to pre-book parking? I was on a coach last year, but have free accomodation a few miles away this time and will be driving to the circuit.

Any help appreciated

Cheers

[alxce]

I had the same question when booking my race day tickets over the internet a couple of weeks ago. I sent an email to the folks at the www.f1belgium.com site and they told me you can pay when you arrive. My tickets arrived today and they have indicators on them for the two parking areas I can use with a map of how to get to them.
Can't help on the camping as we are staying overnight in Brussels and driving out in the morning.

[Muzzer]

Miss Pitstop said:

On a slightly different topic, do you need to pre-book parking?
Cheers

No

We paid on the gate in Francorchamps. It was about 5 Euros per day IIRC.

[Miss Pitstop]

Cool, thank you very much!

[caz_manc]

Longers said:

This may not apply any more but we camped in 1998 (or was 99...?!) on the local footie pitch - great spot with a short walk to bars and circuit entrance at hairpin plus very hot showers courtesy of the changing rooms. I booked it through one of the ticket agencies (cant remember which) but would try and book direct next time to cut out the middle man.

Can you give me more details so I can get hold of whoever you booked it through? Or the actually club?

cheers,
Caroline

[anonymous-user]

you have two choices camping at european gps:

1) camp as far away from the germans as possible

2) develop a love for really, really bad euro-techno...

[Longers]

Caroline,

I can't remember the agency (it was a while ago now!). It might have been Just Tickets although there is nothing about it on their website.

I tried googling the footie club but couldn't find anything. I did find this though.... http://www.campingf1.com/spa-belgium.html

Alternatively a call to the circuit (they speak English) might give you a contact.

Good luck!
Longers

[Pileopants]

Hiya,

There is camping behind the hotel in Francorchamps - http://www.francorchamps-racing-hotel.be/?lang=en

Haven't actually stayed there though, last used the campsite next door to the hotel which is one of the ones the circuit sets up. Just paid them on the day after sussing out a suitable space.

However this does apply -

pablo said:

you have two choices camping at european gps:

1) camp as far away from the germans as possible

2) develop a love for really, really bad euro-techno...

It did get a bit "Mad Max" now and again but not too bad. Also it is walking distance to the circuit and there are bars all the way down to there (and all the way back for that matter!)

[BoRED S2upid]

Miss Pitstop said:

On a slightly different topic, do you need to pre-book parking? I was on a coach last year, but have free accomodation a few miles away this time and will be driving to the circuit.

Any help appreciated

Cheers

Free coaches all over Spa bussing you to the cuircit and back again, parking can be a nightmare.

[BoRED S2upid]

Mike_R said:

I'm planning a trip to Spa for the Belgian GP this year, and was wondering if anyone who's been recently has any tips regarding the situation with camping. I.e. how easy is it to find camping, should we be booking in advance, anywhere that people would recommend \ avoid ?

Thanks in advance
Mike

Ive camped many times over the years, couple of times in a farmers field, very basic but walking distance to one of the villages for the evening parties, beer and food. Last year we camped on one of the official sites, don't expect any sleep, parties go on till the early hours and then people start getting up to get intot he track early to get a good spot. Still who needs sleep, this is the best way to do F1 its all about he parties.

Last year we got intot he Marshall tent, befriended an American Marshall who had to go to bed early, cue us getting all his free beer tokens

[Lost my mojo]

Were booked in here as its in walking distance to the track.

http://www.alanrogers.com/campsite-info.php?SiteAR...

[mike360]

Where do you guys recomended viewing the race from which grandstand or is general addmission just too busy

[Longers]

Eau Rouge is the classic Spa view, but not cheap seats and probably sold out by now. General admission further round the lap gives excellent viewing - not tried it on F1 race day so cant say how packed it gets (I expect "very"!) but thoroughly recommend a walk round the whole lap on practice/qualifying days.

[GAjon]

We've booked this place - Camping de l'Eau Rouge, 4th Sept through to the 7th,
Pitch for Tent or caravan, 4 people, electric hook up - 78.00 Euros, pay on arrival ( but pitch confirmed via e-mail).

I spoke to the site owners who recommend taking a bike to get to the circuit, according to my Tom Tom it will be about an hours walk, but I dont know if there is any closer entrance points ( the Tom Tom must default to the main entrance), but an hours walk isn't bad considering we'll probably walking around all day any way on practice and qualifying days.

They have a web site if you search the above title or the telephone is 0032 80 86 30 75, obviously I dont know if it's a good place to stay yet but they at least sounded reasonable and the web description looks good.

Were watching from Eau Rouge by the way.

John

[Piglet]

We've stayed at Camping Eau Rouge for a number of years for the 24 hour meeting. We usually have media accreditation and parking but those that have walked reckon it's an hour from Eau Rouge (camping) to Eau Rouge (bottom of the corner) using the back gate (Karting) entrance to the circuit. I would imagine it's a hell of a lot longer than an hour if you walk to the main entrance.

I would take bikes.

[GAjon]

Piglet said:

We've stayed at Camping Eau Rouge for a number of years for the 24 hour meeting. We usually have media accreditation and parking but those that have walked reckon it's an hour from Eau Rouge (camping) to Eau Rouge (bottom of the corner) using the back gate (Karting) entrance to the circuit. I would imagine it's a hell of a lot longer than an hour if you walk to the main entrance.

I would take bikes.

Thanks for that, is the site any good? can we access through the Karting entrance?

John