One for all you seasoned F1 pros... Spa / Monaco advice

[Bob Fossil]

I have decided that I am finally going to treat myself and go to a different grand prix every year for the next few years. So, I've decided on Spa this year, and Monaco next year (these two have always been my dream GP's to go to, aside from Silverstone which I did as a child).

The only thing is, I haven't a clue where to start... please help! My questions are as follows:

Spa (2009):

1. There seems to be loads of sites selling tickets, but I obviously want to use a reputable site - can anyone recommend one?

2. It seems Eau Rouge and Source are sold out (no surprise there) - can anyone recommend a good grandstand (or is a GA ticket good enough)?

3. Travel / accomodation - what's the best place to stay and the best (non-flying) way to get there? I'll combine it with a driving holiday I think.

Monaco (2010):

1. When / where do the tickets go on sale?

2. Travel / accomodation - as above really...

I've done a fair bit of googling and searched the forums but struggling for accurate info, I'm clearly not good enough at this sort of thing!

Thank you to all in advance for you help...

BF

[Lost my mojo]

Me and my Dad did it last year and camped at camping Eau Rouge http://www.eaurouge.nl/index_en.htm

About 40mins walk to track

We bought only GA tickets there are a lot of good places that you are able to see from. We decided for the amount we paid for the weekend it might of been worth paying a little extra for a grandstand ticket. People who camped next to us had paid for grandstand tickets and they said if they did it again they probably wouldn't pay the extra.

Its an amazing race track and one I plan to do again another year.

Depends which way you plan your road trip but we got held up in Brussels for over 2 hours at about 4/5pm ish so best avoid Brussels if you can.

Andy

[Mutley]

I adore Spa, it's such a great track. For a first trip, try one of the orgainised ones, - I used MRI and stayed in Liege.

I have sat in the Tribune opposite the lower paddock/endurance pits - just down from La Source, is a good place to watch the exit of La Source and the climb up Eau Rouge onto Kemel. But, I have found a GA is all you need to get about and explore, and it is a wonderful place to walk around.

By doing a coach type trip, you might find it helpful if having bought a GA, swap for the day with someone for a Tribune ticket.

But if you're going by car, camp at one of the near by sites, or 'comute' from one of the near by towns (like Stavelot) Though would warn you that the morning traffic is abomnible. Francorchamps is about 4 hours from Calais, and motorway nearly the whole route.

[cogitoergozoomo]

There may be better ticket sellers out there but the below are the only ones I have ever used.

I have used these guys for 3 GPs (Nurburgring, Valencia and Monza) and each time the service has been exemplary.

http://www.easygpt.co.uk/

[pwrmotorsport]

Spa tickets can be bought direct from the organisers - most reselling agents add a profit mark-up to their prices.

http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/en07/home/index.ph...

Likewise, Monaco tickets can be obtained directly from the Automobile Club de Monaco - they usually go on sale early in the new year.

http://www.acm.mc/gpm/gpm_main.php?lng=en

[belleair302]

For clients and sponsors I have always gone to the people at GPT.at

http://www.gpt.at/index_en.html

These guys are one of the official sellers of Paddock Club tickets and have a number of people at each Grand Prix. Their service is outstanding at they do not charge the earth.

For Spa I would stay in Holland....don't laugh. Wonderful hotels, less than 40km from the circuit and don't charge a minimum 4 nights stay.

Look at somewhere near Aachen or even Maastricht.

For Monaco in 2010 look to stay in San Remo Italy and cath the train into Monaco each day. If you wish to stay closer stay east of Monaco not west where the prices are just daft.

Edited by belleair302 on Tuesday 12th May 14:25

[Bob Fossil]

Great stuff everyone, thanks for your replies - exactly what I was hoping for.

Time to get cracking with the organsing!

[BoRED S2upid]

Ive done them both and combined with driving holidays.

Spa: Buy tickets direct from the track website. Why would you pay a premium and buy them from someone else?. As for the ticket General Access is good enough here some very steep banks to perch yourself on if you don't want to be viewing it through a fence.

As for accomodation I camp for the Friday and Saturday nights, get a good feel for the atmosphere get to one of the local villages in the evenings its great make sure the Thursday and Sunday are at Hotels, probably in France or on the outskirts of Belgium so you can catch up on sleep.


Monaco. This is a fair road trip we took 6 days for this one, went down to France on the first night then onto Switzerland staying in Lucern then over the St Gotthard Pass into Italy, again camped Fri and Sat then we went back up through Germany and stayed at the Nurburgring, few laps of the Nordschlief in the morning before the hoon back into France and then home.

Tickets we did GA again not that great for this one, we were viewing very much through a fence, might be worth a Grandstand ticket if you can afford it.

[mike360]

SPA: brilliant circuit worth going to every year, have viewed from pouhon one year , that was a very long walk though mind.

also viewed from Gold 4 eau rouge , uncovered grandstand on the inside of eau rouge, its still available and offers much the same view as the grandstand adjacent does.

hoping to view this year from gold 8 although am struggling for tickets in this section

[Bob Fossil]

Thanks Mike - I think I'm going to get tickets for Gold 4 - have to see Eau Rouge for real!

I think I'm going to travel via Lille (stopping to visit friends) and then stay in Liege - is this advisable?

Then planning to head off to the 'ring afterwards...

Re Monaco - I've long enough to save up so will be going for a grandstand - Casion Square or St Devote looking likely...

[Mutley]

[quote=Bob Fossil]Thanks Mike - I think I'm going to get tickets for Gold 4 - have to see Eau Rouge for real!

I think I'm going to travel via Lille (stopping to visit friends) and then stay in Liege - is this advisable?

Then planning to head off to the 'ring afterwards...
[quote]

Eau Rouge is only believed when walked! is steep, photos don't do it justice. Would advise get out and about, especially if there for 3 days.

Staying in Liege is good, about 40 minutes on a good day though, and you'll need to find a car park (i don't know where they'll be). Do a quick route check on ViaMichelin dependant on where you're staying, but the evenings in Liege are good, and a good selection of eateries and bars to be sampled.

[chevronb37]

Personally I'd go for GA at Spa. But take a brolly and some carrier bags to sit on. The brolly will also help you descend the treacherous slopes once they're a mud slick. Best to walk the whole circuit and find where you like. I enjoyed the drama of Blanchimont a lot and Eau Rouge is something else. We ended up watching the race at Pouhon though as there was a big screen and the corner is an awesome challenge without TC in a GP car.

Monaco sit in Casino Square. I've only been to the Historique GP, but the noise and change of direction through there was epic - you're really close to the cars. We also sat in Tabac, but I didn't rate the spectacle quite as highly.

I've used Grandstand Motorsport before and they're excellent. Enjoy!

[Miss Pitstop]

Mutley said:

Staying in Liege is good, about 40 minutes on a good day though, and you'll need to find a car park (i don't know where they'll be). Do a quick route check on ViaMichelin dependant on where you're staying, but the evenings in Liege are good, and a good selection of eateries and bars to be sampled.

Last year I stayed with friends in Liege and drove in, the traffic was suprisingly good to and from the circuit, but definitely busier on the Sunday. As for car parks, the whole of Spa Franchorpchamps turns their gardens into a car park and we just drove in each day and parked right in the centre, about a 1km walk from the main entrance. The price was 12 euros each day, as set by the circuit.

I've sat on the pit straight in 2007 (great for the spectacle at the start and La Source but the race was dull) and Eau Rouge last year which was fantastic as you get a great view from La Source to the top of Eau Rouge. If I went again I'd like to try Rivage as this looked good in the practice sessions.

A General Admission ticket would be fine as long as you get there early and stay put. I personally would rather pay more and get a reserved seat but other friends have found great viewing spots, and I would recommend walking the complete circuit on the Friday - not for the unfit but you do get to see so many different views.

HTH

Sarah

[mike360]

http://www.starsnbars.com/en/slot/7/

this is supposed to be the place to see the drivers and the paddock albeit through a fence.

never been there my self on gp weekend . i assume this resturant must over look the paddock

[Bob Fossil]

Evening all

Just thought I'd say thanks to everyone who helped with information - I've now booked my tickets (Gold 4), and am staying in a nice looking B+B 35 minutes away, in the countryside. Will be keeping my eye out for any PH flags on show...

Can't wait!

Thanks again.

[A911DOM]

Congrats - you'll enjoy the spectacle just for the circuit alone Im sure...

My advise would also be to park right up close as well - at between 5 and 12 euro for the day, its much nicer on the legs and the traffic isnt so bad that you cant make your escape in comfort afterwards! I stayed at a campsite approx 1 hours walk away, and I know that cos the mini-bus/taxi we had booked to ferry us there and back never managed to actually ferry us back before we'd walked it!!!

I went GA a couple of years ago and have been to a couple of non F1 events over the past couple of weeks.

My only comment re the GA tickets is that you can wander round on the friday and find what you believe to be an ideal spot - then turn up on the Saturday / Sunday and theyve put up an annoying green mesh fence over the top of the already inhibiting safety fences...

I thoroughly enjoyed ambling around and viewing from different spots - Having had complete access to wander the circuit / pits etc this last weekend at the Porsche day Im not sure I'd want to be tied to one spot for the whole event.

Oh - and you should be aware (as you probably already are) that there is no victory lap at Spa... They go over the finish line and then into the back of the pits after the hairpin. Its a shame for all those devoted fans who've wandered KM's round to the other side of the circuit to cheer on their team/driver.

You'll not be disappointed with Eau Rouge etc tho. and the fact that the F1's can go down the straight and into it at full tilt is quite something!!!

Not sure I'll make it this year - but hoping maybe to do Nurburg instead.

[DeadMeat_UK]

Bob Fossil said:

Evening all

Just thought I'd say thanks to everyone who helped with information - I've now booked my tickets (Gold 4), and am staying in a nice looking B+B 35 minutes away, in the countryside. Will be keeping my eye out for any PH flags on show...

Can't wait!

Thanks again.

I'm at Eau Rouge this year as well I think Gold 1. I can't wait ! We should definitely try and catch up for a beer at the circuit.