Off to Spa soon--any tips?
Discussion
Hi all,
My brother (40s), Dad (early 70s) and I (very late 30s) will be driving to Spa for the F1 (arriving at our hotel in Aachen on Thursday evening). I've collated a list of things to bring, including some items to meet European road laws (warning triangle, UK stickers etc.), but I wondered if anyone wanted to share any hints or tips based on previous trips.
Our itinerary is roughly as follows (in case this helps):
-Thurs--catch Chunnel around 1100, arrive into Calais and drive to Aachen
-Fri--drive to circuit (we have parking) as early as we can (leaving around 0600 local time), drive back to hotel (~45 min journey but I'm waiting to be told that this will take three days with traffic)
-Sat--as above
-Sun--as above, after the race we drive to our hotel at the Nürburgring (about 60 mins usually)
-Mon--day at Nurburgring (tourist drive and ring taxi booked for public session starting 1700 local time), return to hotel (over the road)
-Tues--drive to Chunnel and return home
Specifically I'd welcome any comments on:
-Sites to see on the Monday (at Nurburgring)--I presume that the museum is worth a visit? As noted above, I have a Ring Taxi booked in the late afternoon so need to be back for 1600 local time
-Hints/tips or tricks that might make the other days run smoothly?
-Things to avoid?
Thanks PH!
My brother (40s), Dad (early 70s) and I (very late 30s) will be driving to Spa for the F1 (arriving at our hotel in Aachen on Thursday evening). I've collated a list of things to bring, including some items to meet European road laws (warning triangle, UK stickers etc.), but I wondered if anyone wanted to share any hints or tips based on previous trips.
Our itinerary is roughly as follows (in case this helps):
-Thurs--catch Chunnel around 1100, arrive into Calais and drive to Aachen
-Fri--drive to circuit (we have parking) as early as we can (leaving around 0600 local time), drive back to hotel (~45 min journey but I'm waiting to be told that this will take three days with traffic)
-Sat--as above
-Sun--as above, after the race we drive to our hotel at the Nürburgring (about 60 mins usually)
-Mon--day at Nurburgring (tourist drive and ring taxi booked for public session starting 1700 local time), return to hotel (over the road)
-Tues--drive to Chunnel and return home
Specifically I'd welcome any comments on:
-Sites to see on the Monday (at Nurburgring)--I presume that the museum is worth a visit? As noted above, I have a Ring Taxi booked in the late afternoon so need to be back for 1600 local time
-Hints/tips or tricks that might make the other days run smoothly?
-Things to avoid?
Thanks PH!
If you are in Stavelot visit this rather awesome showroom. They sell everything from cars, spares, helmets, suits, T shirts, books, posters, art etc - anything to do with motorsport. they also had one of Coulthard's McLarens and a couple of Group B rally cars on display when I was there.
There is a nice model shop over the road as well.
https://sparacing.com/
https://francorchamps-miniatures.be/en/
There is a nice model shop over the road as well.
https://sparacing.com/
https://francorchamps-miniatures.be/en/
If you've not been there before, read up in advance to print some maps off where to go to be able to see the track at the 'ring. Other than watching cool cars joining and leaving the track, the main entrance on the Dottingher straight is pretty boring. Far better to park up near the bridge in Adenau, and have a look from there, and get directions to Brunchen ("youtube corner") too.
Echoing Lt Dan's advice to Forrest Gump! Socks!! Walking the full lap of Spa is not a short stroll, and is definitely not flat, so stout footwear, and a change of sock in case of rain or sweat is a definite good plan.
Echoing Lt Dan's advice to Forrest Gump! Socks!! Walking the full lap of Spa is not a short stroll, and is definitely not flat, so stout footwear, and a change of sock in case of rain or sweat is a definite good plan.
Research the route of the 'old' pre-1979 nine mile circuit.
You should find those public roads interesting to drive along.
Start on a public road somewhere near Eau Rouge, then you will be driving in the correct clockwise direction of the original race track.
As the public road becomes close to the end of the Kemmel Straight, that is the point where the present (and past track), connected with the original track.
Further on you will drive on a banked corner, where the old track turned back in the direction of the start/finish area.
Stavelot
Enjoy your Spa trip.
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 14th July 05:05
Also interested in tips etc, will be over there with my son (13) for 5 days, camping just outside Spa village, cycling to circuit each day. Went for GA as there'll be some good vantage points around the circuit.
Only ever done track days there in the past, be interesting to see the contrast.
I'm also expecting every weather type going in those 5 days.
Only ever done track days there in the past, be interesting to see the contrast.
I'm also expecting every weather type going in those 5 days.
Having done GA twice I would say get there early.. The queuing system is (or was) shambolic to get in, with multiple queues converging on the same point
Pitch your deck chairs early (race day) and find out where the nearest loo is. When I last went they were few and far between. I watched near the bus stop (as was) which wasn't overly exciting. Also watched on Eau Rouge but that area has all changed now.. We had chairs up against fence but it got busy behind to point where security tried to move everyone on....including the front row who had been there 4-5hours at this point. Lots of shouting by locals at security and they relented which was good
If you walk the circuit on Friday /Saturday, as someone else said, its a long walk..fair bit longer than the track length and hilly with it. Good for finding a decent vantage point though.
Tis a beautiful spot and hope you get fine weather....and good racing of course
Pitch your deck chairs early (race day) and find out where the nearest loo is. When I last went they were few and far between. I watched near the bus stop (as was) which wasn't overly exciting. Also watched on Eau Rouge but that area has all changed now.. We had chairs up against fence but it got busy behind to point where security tried to move everyone on....including the front row who had been there 4-5hours at this point. Lots of shouting by locals at security and they relented which was good
If you walk the circuit on Friday /Saturday, as someone else said, its a long walk..fair bit longer than the track length and hilly with it. Good for finding a decent vantage point though.
Tis a beautiful spot and hope you get fine weather....and good racing of course
To round this thread out (it's not often that the OP returns to augment after the fact):
-Eau rouge really has to be seen to be believed, the gradient and speed drivers' carry is unreal
-Spa is hilly and I found walking boots to be a great addition
-Spa can be (very) wet. Not packing waterproof trousers was a missed opportunity
-If one is parking at Spa, accept that it will take at least two hours to get out of the car park (read: field) each day. Professional traffic marshals do apparently not exist in Belgium (still, it gave us some time to grab some food and wait it out)
-Aachen (Germany) is a convenient place to stay--took around 1.5hrs to get to the Yellow car parking
-Be prepared to moan somewhat about the 'coins' system to buy food/drinks--it's a rip off but you just have to suck it up
Nurburgring
-Travelling onto the Nurburgring was a good plan, took roughly 3hrs (with 1.5 hrs of that being getting out of the car park)--the roads to/from Nurberg are great
-The museum (Autowerks) was worth a visit and, given the time of year, we received free grandstand tickets for the Nurburgring GP circuit (there were private sessions by a Lamborghini owners' club, as well as a GT series which was all Pagani--which sounded incredible, like F1 of old)
-Driving the Nordschleife (we used RSR for car rental and taxi lap) was worth every penny--I wish I'd signed up for more than a few laps! While somewhat damp, that helped to temper my right foot and control my (lack of) talent somewhat
I'd certainly go again, not least for another crack at the Nordschleife, despite the race not being the most thrilling.
-Eau rouge really has to be seen to be believed, the gradient and speed drivers' carry is unreal
-Spa is hilly and I found walking boots to be a great addition
-Spa can be (very) wet. Not packing waterproof trousers was a missed opportunity
-If one is parking at Spa, accept that it will take at least two hours to get out of the car park (read: field) each day. Professional traffic marshals do apparently not exist in Belgium (still, it gave us some time to grab some food and wait it out)
-Aachen (Germany) is a convenient place to stay--took around 1.5hrs to get to the Yellow car parking
-Be prepared to moan somewhat about the 'coins' system to buy food/drinks--it's a rip off but you just have to suck it up
Nurburgring
-Travelling onto the Nurburgring was a good plan, took roughly 3hrs (with 1.5 hrs of that being getting out of the car park)--the roads to/from Nurberg are great
-The museum (Autowerks) was worth a visit and, given the time of year, we received free grandstand tickets for the Nurburgring GP circuit (there were private sessions by a Lamborghini owners' club, as well as a GT series which was all Pagani--which sounded incredible, like F1 of old)
-Driving the Nordschleife (we used RSR for car rental and taxi lap) was worth every penny--I wish I'd signed up for more than a few laps! While somewhat damp, that helped to temper my right foot and control my (lack of) talent somewhat
I'd certainly go again, not least for another crack at the Nordschleife, despite the race not being the most thrilling.
Would I go again? On a GA ticket, no.
Have been before in my own car several times, but as a spectator at F1 it's a different story.
The weather on Fr/Sat was dreadful, circuit access generally was a massive PITA regardless of which direction we approached from.
GA viewing points are congested to say the least, the coins system is a joke (contactless anyone?).
We left before the end of the race and f**cked off to a Brussels hotel for the night, which took hours due to the local plod closing every exit route apart from one.
Have been before in my own car several times, but as a spectator at F1 it's a different story.
The weather on Fr/Sat was dreadful, circuit access generally was a massive PITA regardless of which direction we approached from.
GA viewing points are congested to say the least, the coins system is a joke (contactless anyone?).
We left before the end of the race and f**cked off to a Brussels hotel for the night, which took hours due to the local plod closing every exit route apart from one.
LittleBigPlanet said:
To round this thread out (it's not often that the OP returns to augment after the fact):
-Eau rouge really has to be seen to be believed, the gradient and speed drivers' carry is unreal
-Spa is hilly and I found walking boots to be a great addition
-Spa can be (very) wet. Not packing waterproof trousers was a missed opportunity
-If one is parking at Spa, accept that it will take at least two hours to get out of the car park (read: field) each day. Professional traffic marshals do apparently not exist in Belgium (still, it gave us some time to grab some food and wait it out)
-Aachen (Germany) is a convenient place to stay--took around 1.5hrs to get to the Yellow car parking
-Be prepared to moan somewhat about the 'coins' system to buy food/drinks--it's a rip off but you just have to suck it up
Nurburgring
-Travelling onto the Nurburgring was a good plan, took roughly 3hrs (with 1.5 hrs of that being getting out of the car park)--the roads to/from Nurberg are great
-The museum (Autowerks) was worth a visit and, given the time of year, we received free grandstand tickets for the Nurburgring GP circuit (there were private sessions by a Lamborghini owners' club, as well as a GT series which was all Pagani--which sounded incredible, like F1 of old)
-Driving the Nordschleife (we used RSR for car rental and taxi lap) was worth every penny--I wish I'd signed up for more than a few laps! While somewhat damp, that helped to temper my right foot and control my (lack of) talent somewhat
I'd certainly go again, not least for another crack at the Nordschleife, despite the race not being the most thrilling.
The yellow car park was a shambles to get out of your right. Two hours ok Friday. We stayed in Maastricht and didn’t get there until 10pm. We managed to “blag” our way in to a vip car park on the Saturday and on the Sunday we dumped the car down a residential street about not too far from the track. The best bit was at the end of the race I took a punt on a back road and avoided all the traffic (route de neuville)-Eau rouge really has to be seen to be believed, the gradient and speed drivers' carry is unreal
-Spa is hilly and I found walking boots to be a great addition
-Spa can be (very) wet. Not packing waterproof trousers was a missed opportunity
-If one is parking at Spa, accept that it will take at least two hours to get out of the car park (read: field) each day. Professional traffic marshals do apparently not exist in Belgium (still, it gave us some time to grab some food and wait it out)
-Aachen (Germany) is a convenient place to stay--took around 1.5hrs to get to the Yellow car parking
-Be prepared to moan somewhat about the 'coins' system to buy food/drinks--it's a rip off but you just have to suck it up
Nurburgring
-Travelling onto the Nurburgring was a good plan, took roughly 3hrs (with 1.5 hrs of that being getting out of the car park)--the roads to/from Nurberg are great
-The museum (Autowerks) was worth a visit and, given the time of year, we received free grandstand tickets for the Nurburgring GP circuit (there were private sessions by a Lamborghini owners' club, as well as a GT series which was all Pagani--which sounded incredible, like F1 of old)
-Driving the Nordschleife (we used RSR for car rental and taxi lap) was worth every penny--I wish I'd signed up for more than a few laps! While somewhat damp, that helped to temper my right foot and control my (lack of) talent somewhat
I'd certainly go again, not least for another crack at the Nordschleife, despite the race not being the most thrilling.
dotty said:
LittleBigPlanet said:
To round this thread out (it's not often that the OP returns to augment after the fact):
-Eau rouge really has to be seen to be believed, the gradient and speed drivers' carry is unreal
-Spa is hilly and I found walking boots to be a great addition
-Spa can be (very) wet. Not packing waterproof trousers was a missed opportunity
-If one is parking at Spa, accept that it will take at least two hours to get out of the car park (read: field) each day. Professional traffic marshals do apparently not exist in Belgium (still, it gave us some time to grab some food and wait it out)
-Aachen (Germany) is a convenient place to stay--took around 1.5hrs to get to the Yellow car parking
-Be prepared to moan somewhat about the 'coins' system to buy food/drinks--it's a rip off but you just have to suck it up
Nurburgring
-Travelling onto the Nurburgring was a good plan, took roughly 3hrs (with 1.5 hrs of that being getting out of the car park)--the roads to/from Nurberg are great
-The museum (Autowerks) was worth a visit and, given the time of year, we received free grandstand tickets for the Nurburgring GP circuit (there were private sessions by a Lamborghini owners' club, as well as a GT series which was all Pagani--which sounded incredible, like F1 of old)
-Driving the Nordschleife (we used RSR for car rental and taxi lap) was worth every penny--I wish I'd signed up for more than a few laps! While somewhat damp, that helped to temper my right foot and control my (lack of) talent somewhat
I'd certainly go again, not least for another crack at the Nordschleife, despite the race not being the most thrilling.
The yellow car park was a shambles to get out of your right. Two hours ok Friday. We stayed in Maastricht and didn’t get there until 10pm. We managed to “blag” our way in to a vip car park on the Saturday and on the Sunday we dumped the car down a residential street about not too far from the track. The best bit was at the end of the race I took a punt on a back road and avoided all the traffic (route de neuville)-Eau rouge really has to be seen to be believed, the gradient and speed drivers' carry is unreal
-Spa is hilly and I found walking boots to be a great addition
-Spa can be (very) wet. Not packing waterproof trousers was a missed opportunity
-If one is parking at Spa, accept that it will take at least two hours to get out of the car park (read: field) each day. Professional traffic marshals do apparently not exist in Belgium (still, it gave us some time to grab some food and wait it out)
-Aachen (Germany) is a convenient place to stay--took around 1.5hrs to get to the Yellow car parking
-Be prepared to moan somewhat about the 'coins' system to buy food/drinks--it's a rip off but you just have to suck it up
Nurburgring
-Travelling onto the Nurburgring was a good plan, took roughly 3hrs (with 1.5 hrs of that being getting out of the car park)--the roads to/from Nurberg are great
-The museum (Autowerks) was worth a visit and, given the time of year, we received free grandstand tickets for the Nurburgring GP circuit (there were private sessions by a Lamborghini owners' club, as well as a GT series which was all Pagani--which sounded incredible, like F1 of old)
-Driving the Nordschleife (we used RSR for car rental and taxi lap) was worth every penny--I wish I'd signed up for more than a few laps! While somewhat damp, that helped to temper my right foot and control my (lack of) talent somewhat
I'd certainly go again, not least for another crack at the Nordschleife, despite the race not being the most thrilling.
I'd certainly go again (grandstand only, I'd not even consider GA due to the weather uncertainty) but make sure to book VIP parking or something similar, if available. I suspect we booked too late.
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