Spa 1000km

[porkanut]

Thinking of going to this event.
A few questions for anyone who has been to this event (or Spa before)
How busy is this event ? I'm guessing a lot quieter than Le Mans

Is it best to buy tickets in advance or buy from the track on the Saturday? Is paddock access possible?

Any tips on good viewing locations ?
Is Spa town an OK place to stay? Plan is to stop there on Saturday evening & go for a few beers & a bite to eat.

Happy to meet up, convoy with any other PHers who are going.
Might go to the ' ring on the Monday if its open also
Thanks
PN
ps: mods apologies if this in the wrong section

[xspencex]

I will be there, British GT is going as a support series.

[Longers]

Went to this in 2007 and had an excellent time!

We purchased our tickets in advance and included the option of some "parade" laps behind the pace car on Saturday. Made sure we went out last so we could let a gap build then have some fun catching up again!! Surpisingly only 12 cars decided to do this so there was plenty of space At the time it was 50 euros for this which was a lot less £'s than today.... This package also included parking in the paddock but it was free paddock access on foot both days anyway.

There was enough people for there to be a good atmosphere but there were relatively few people there overall. Access was not a problem and seats were free.

Spa is one circuit that you must walk all of the way round to fully appreciate the place. It is THE best circuit I've been to for spectating. You can comfortably get all of the way round in less than a day and, unlike, a lot of UK tracks there are toilets and refreshments all of the way round.

Only thing that I missed was some English commentary.... As with any enduro race it can be difficult to follow at times without it!

I've not stayed in Spa cos we couldn't get a place with secure parking or enough rooms for our group. We always stay in Liege now. Not too far away and a great place.

We also headed to Da Ring on Monday; there are some great roads to it from Spa area.

I'm leading a group back there this year:
26/6 home to Assen
27/6 watch MotoGP then to Liege
28/6 Spa for international GT's, F3's etc
29/6 Ring
30/6 home

Your welcome to tag along if you want to - I provisionally reserved everything for our group and as usual some are now unable to commit so there are some spares at the moment. Drop me an email if interested

Longers

[MikeDH]

porkanut said:

Thinking of going to this event.
A few questions for anyone who has been to this event (or Spa before)
How busy is this event ? I'm guessing a lot quieter than Le Mans

Is it best to buy tickets in advance or buy from the track on the Saturday? Is paddock access possible?

Any tips on good viewing locations ?
Is Spa town an OK place to stay? Plan is to stop there on Saturday evening & go for a few beers & a bite to eat.

Happy to meet up, convoy with any other PHers who are going.
Might go to the ' ring on the Monday if its open also
Thanks
PN
ps: mods apologies if this in the wrong section

Last time I went in '06 it was just about right in terms of business, as another posted said, good for an atmosphere, but plenty of space to wander about and view from many places.

Whenever I've been to Spa I've always been working, apart from once. But if memories serves me right you can buy tickets on the gate generally a lot cheaper than UK circuits.

Best viewing places are... well all of it really. Obviously Eau Rouge is spectactular, but you can get round it all, and there's some great viewing. Be warning it's a lot of walking though! The Kemmel straight is very long, and uphill, but worth it for the views. Particularly spectacular at night if you ever decide to go to the 24 Hours.

I've stayed in Spa, and it was very good, plenty of places to eat and drink. Most of the surronding towns and villages are good.

[porkanut]

Thanks gents most helpful.

Longers thanks for the invite, I'll PM you if we decide to tag along, still trying to get numbers sorted, annual leave etc at the mo, even if we dont come with your group would be good to meet up at some point over the weekend for a few beers with you guys

cheers
John

[Longers]

porkanut said:

.....would be good to meet up at some point over the weekend for a few beers with you guys

Just remember that we're not going to be at the 1000km event, it's the "Spa Euro Race" weekend we're going to
If you do fancy it there's 6 spaces at the moment.....

Longers

[UncappedTag]

Is this the Le Mans series racing. Been to the last two years at Silverstone but found it a bit mundane after they got started as it's hard to follow who/what is in the lead after 12 hours

Edited by UncappedTag on Wednesday 29th April 14:10

[GrahamG]

UncappedTag said:

Is this the Le Mans series racing. Been to the last two years at Silverstone but found it a bit mundane after they got started as it's hard to follow who/what is in the lead after 12 hours

Edited by UncappedTag on Wednesday 29th April 14:10

I imagine you would have found it tricky after 12 Hours - The LMS races only last for 6 hours!