Spa in car footage
Discussion
This is a link to one of my clients showing how Spa should be done last month (car was a bit soft compared to normal, so pace was lower than normal but the lines are spot on). Its quite long (3laps) but a good pace in a DC5 Honda Integra Type R.
www.itr-dc5.co.uk/Gallery/Graphics/Franz/Franz%20DC5%20SPA%20Francorchamps%20Trackday.wmv
If that doesnt work try this. www.itr-dc5.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1102 and clink on the link directly.
www.itr-dc5.co.uk/Gallery/Graphics/Franz/Franz%20DC5%20SPA%20Francorchamps%20Trackday.wmv
If that doesnt work try this. www.itr-dc5.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1102 and clink on the link directly.
dougc said:
If you've got a decent PC at home, get hold of a copy of Grand Prix Legends to familiarise yourself with the general layout. It's about £5 from Amazon. I'm not sure how accurate the distance modelling is though. Updates to the current layout are available online.
I think GPL has the old spa circuit. You can download the new one though. Just about any PC will run GPL too.
I've just come back from a Spa track day and found the track (oh words fail me so like everyone I just use )awesome.
BUT I found it so safe that pressing on became real easy. We had the day organised so that all three of us went out with an experienced ex-F1 driver and sportscar champ driving. On a track walk (no not all the way) early in the misty morning explained the key corners.
Note though that this day was organised real well. Can't speak for other operators.
Plenty more memories of a fantastic circuit in fantastic weather (26-28c and sun from morning to evening)
What you will not get from any video I have ever seen is an appreciation of the elevation changes. They will be a lasting memory for me as it is so different to most other trackday circuits.
Best video I think is the DVD of Derek Bell in the Porsche doing Spa and other classic circuits.
One word of caution though. If your car needs 98 octane, fill up early as we found the closest filling station ran out at lunchtime. The next filling station was some distance away and why waste time driving to it.
BUT I found it so safe that pressing on became real easy. We had the day organised so that all three of us went out with an experienced ex-F1 driver and sportscar champ driving. On a track walk (no not all the way) early in the misty morning explained the key corners.
Note though that this day was organised real well. Can't speak for other operators.
Plenty more memories of a fantastic circuit in fantastic weather (26-28c and sun from morning to evening)
What you will not get from any video I have ever seen is an appreciation of the elevation changes. They will be a lasting memory for me as it is so different to most other trackday circuits.
Best video I think is the DVD of Derek Bell in the Porsche doing Spa and other classic circuits.
One word of caution though. If your car needs 98 octane, fill up early as we found the closest filling station ran out at lunchtime. The next filling station was some distance away and why waste time driving to it.
The petrol station near the track always runs out! Does on the days I go to. As for the next nearest, there's a TEXACO, where the office looks like someones house, and the you pay at the cashier through a hole in wall.
Did you go there? It's not much further than the first petrol station.
Did you go there? It's not much further than the first petrol station.
j14nsx said:
Did you go there? It's not much further than the first petrol station.
Yes, did go there. The Ultima front ground clearance was a problem as the forecourt had a gulley across it. Just had to approach at an angle and slow.
Just wish that the trackday operator had documented this sort of detail rather than leave a few SPA newcomers floundering. The Texaco garage must have run out as well as the organised teams were out of fuel in the late afternoon and I missed my ride in the low drag E type.
rfl said:
Thanks. Have had a look at the Derek Bell DVD- have there been any major changes since this was filmed?
Really looking forwards to the weekend.
Many run off areas have been changed and the bus stop part as well. All changes have been to the good as far as making the circuit safer. The track surface is very smooth now. One interesting point was that the tyre wear and brake pad wear was unmeasurable after some very fast laps. Helped convince partner that trackdays were not expensive!!!
The circuit is just not the challenge I suppose for the purists but still great to really get to know the car and your limits. Take instruction if available.
However, respect your car and your limits. When I was there an Audi TT was totaled. It was just four days old as well. Delayed the session by an hour and his bill for Armco will be considerable.
rfl said:
Thanks. Have had a look at the Derek Bell DVD- have there been any major changes since this was filmed?
Really looking forwards to the weekend.
Many run off areas have been changed and the bus stop part as well. All changes have been to the good as far as making the circuit safer. The track surface is very smooth now. One interesting point was that the tyre wear and brake pad wear was unmeasurable after some very fast laps. Helped convince partner that trackdays were not expensive!!!
The circuit is just not the challenge I suppose for the purists but still great to really get to know the car and your limits. Take instruction if available.
However, respect your car and your limits. When I was there an Audi TT was totaled. It was just four days old as well. Delayed the session by an hour and his bill for Armco will be considerable.
Just back from the historic weekend at Spa- Awesome!
Everyone thanks for the guidance, esp Simon. The in car footage was invaluable and managed to get me mid grid in what is basically a road Elan within 5 laps of qualifying.
The thing that really blew my mind was the gradients on the track esp Eau Rouge.
Must go back for a track day sometime to get some more track time.
Next race = Estoril- can anyone help here???
Thanks.
Everyone thanks for the guidance, esp Simon. The in car footage was invaluable and managed to get me mid grid in what is basically a road Elan within 5 laps of qualifying.
The thing that really blew my mind was the gradients on the track esp Eau Rouge.
Must go back for a track day sometime to get some more track time.
Next race = Estoril- can anyone help here???
Thanks.
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