Spa - Is it a good track?
Discussion
Hello trackdayers!
I'd like to expand my European track experience, so far I've only done the 'ring (I say only.... it is frickin awesome
). I've done that three times now, and although I will be going back this year I fancy experiencing something else. I've heard good things about Spa, but never really paid it much attention. I've watched a couple of videos but I don't know it at all. Is it a good track for my small cars or is it better suited to high power machines? Is it long and fast or short and twisty?
If we went out there for a long weekend what is the social life like? Plenty of nice bars/restauraunts to wind down in? I could take the missus if there would be something else to do other than the track!
Discussion welcome!
Thanks
Iain
I'd like to expand my European track experience, so far I've only done the 'ring (I say only.... it is frickin awesome
). I've done that three times now, and although I will be going back this year I fancy experiencing something else. I've heard good things about Spa, but never really paid it much attention. I've watched a couple of videos but I don't know it at all. Is it a good track for my small cars or is it better suited to high power machines? Is it long and fast or short and twisty? If we went out there for a long weekend what is the social life like? Plenty of nice bars/restauraunts to wind down in? I could take the missus if there would be something else to do other than the track!
Discussion welcome!
Thanks
Iain
You might need to watch those vids again (and pay attention this time) to find out if it's fast or slow...
It's quick alright, but you'll still have fun in a Clio. Have a look around YouTube and the like for in-car Spa vids, or even external ones. There'll be loads of on-board Belcar, BTCS, FIA GT, Group C and F1 films floating around.
Or go to www.evo.co.uk and have a look around their video section - there are definitely a few on-board Spa ones on there.
In short, it's a brilliant place - I've been going for nearly 20 years and still love it. Apart from the toilets in the paddock. Although the paddock is being completely rebuilt so even they should be okay now.
The circuit also has a website, as does the 24-hour race held every July.
It's quick alright, but you'll still have fun in a Clio. Have a look around YouTube and the like for in-car Spa vids, or even external ones. There'll be loads of on-board Belcar, BTCS, FIA GT, Group C and F1 films floating around.
Or go to www.evo.co.uk and have a look around their video section - there are definitely a few on-board Spa ones on there.
In short, it's a brilliant place - I've been going for nearly 20 years and still love it. Apart from the toilets in the paddock. Although the paddock is being completely rebuilt so even they should be okay now.
The circuit also has a website, as does the 24-hour race held every July.
Spa IS the best circuit in the world. And yes it is fast...errrm very fast with the most fantastic flowing long duration corners. If you wearnt sure how fast it was I suspect you have been watching some track day driving vids.. possibly.
Try this link www.rsv-motorsport.com/uploads/spa24h06onb.wmv (hope it works) Baring in mind this is a Ferrari 430 in GT2 spec with a fairly handy driver and that video kills speed and altitude you should now see how fast a place it is.
Try this link www.rsv-motorsport.com/uploads/spa24h06onb.wmv (hope it works) Baring in mind this is a Ferrari 430 in GT2 spec with a fairly handy driver and that video kills speed and altitude you should now see how fast a place it is.
Good? its bleeding glorious!
Long very fast, very good, couldnt be much more difernet to 'ring tho, not a modern open GP type track tho, still got lovely twsity bits, think Brands GP but lots better, only driven in lower power- 180bhp area sub ton Golfy so similar to clio 172/182 pace, was ace, (you will get decimated down the Kemel by quick stuff tho) was wet tho which is not unusual there! not a bad track to do in the wet at all tho. Can't quite imagine how mad it must be in an F1 car!
Its has had some revisions this winter.
Bunch of mates & I went last yr & Spa is nice enough little town about Adenau type size, bars resturants etc, a few hotels, some stay in Francorchamps or other places, smaller tho & less to do, was funfair in Spa last summer was great fun, track all day & beer to excess & bumper cars at night, top banana
Zandvoort in the land of clogs is ace I'd say I perhaps prefer it over Spa & well worth a visit, track all day, Amsterdam 20 mins away at night, as tony the tiger would say, Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeet! few close walls need a bit of respect tho, some mates rave about Dijon too, not been there yet tho.
Long very fast, very good, couldnt be much more difernet to 'ring tho, not a modern open GP type track tho, still got lovely twsity bits, think Brands GP but lots better, only driven in lower power- 180bhp area sub ton Golfy so similar to clio 172/182 pace, was ace, (you will get decimated down the Kemel by quick stuff tho) was wet tho which is not unusual there! not a bad track to do in the wet at all tho. Can't quite imagine how mad it must be in an F1 car!
Its has had some revisions this winter.
Bunch of mates & I went last yr & Spa is nice enough little town about Adenau type size, bars resturants etc, a few hotels, some stay in Francorchamps or other places, smaller tho & less to do, was funfair in Spa last summer was great fun, track all day & beer to excess & bumper cars at night, top banana
Zandvoort in the land of clogs is ace I'd say I perhaps prefer it over Spa & well worth a visit, track all day, Amsterdam 20 mins away at night, as tony the tiger would say, Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeet! few close walls need a bit of respect tho, some mates rave about Dijon too, not been there yet tho.
Edited by iguana on Thursday 4th January 01:27
Simon Mason said:
Spa IS the best circuit in the world. And yes it is fast...errrm very fast with the most fantastic flowing long duration corners. If you wearnt sure how fast it was I suspect you have been watching some track day driving vids.. possibly.
Try this link www.rsv-motorsport.com/uploads/spa24h06onb.wmv (hope it works) Baring in mind this is a Ferrari 430 in GT2 spec with a fairly handy driver and that video kills speed and altitude you should now see how fast a place it is.
Try this link www.rsv-motorsport.com/uploads/spa24h06onb.wmv (hope it works) Baring in mind this is a Ferrari 430 in GT2 spec with a fairly handy driver and that video kills speed and altitude you should now see how fast a place it is.
Simon, wearnt ........ w e r e n ' t !!! Lol!!
ginettajoe said:
Simon Mason said:
Spa IS the best circuit in the world. And yes it is fast...errrm very fast with the most fantastic flowing long duration corners. If you wearnt sure how fast it was I suspect you have been watching some track day driving vids.. possibly.
Try this link www.rsv-motorsport.com/uploads/spa24h06onb.wmv (hope it works) Baring in mind this is a Ferrari 430 in GT2 spec with a fairly handy driver and that video kills speed and altitude you should now see how fast a place it is.
Try this link www.rsv-motorsport.com/uploads/spa24h06onb.wmv (hope it works) Baring in mind this is a Ferrari 430 in GT2 spec with a fairly handy driver and that video kills speed and altitude you should now see how fast a place it is.
Simon, wearnt ........ w e r e n ' t !!! Lol!!
Sorry, ...... Happy New Year!!!!
Spa for me is the best circuit in the world, I've been fortunate enough to race there on a several occasions and also do two days with goldtrack there last year - brilliant. The ring is longer and has more undualtions but you can learn spa and be able to really have a go at driving it after a few laps. They are changing it though as per a thread on here a couple of weeks ago so lets hope its still as awesome.
pikey
pikey
Mac. said:
iguana said:
Amsterdam 20 mins away at night
Tell me more? How? The map says it's about 200 miles away
Slightly off topic but....... mac have you tracked your Clio as yet? How did it perform?
Thinking of buying one as an interim trackday car and maybe do a bit of giant killing in the process!
L100NYY said:
Mac. said:
iguana said:
Amsterdam 20 mins away at night
Tell me more? How? The map says it's about 200 miles away
Slightly off topic but....... mac have you tracked your Clio as yet? How did it perform?
Thinking of buying one as an interim trackday car and maybe do a bit of giant killing in the process!
Tracked it twice now, 23 laps of the Nurburgring back in September (Video Here) and a Open Pit Lane day at Bedford (Discussion Here). It certainly is a giant killer, although it does depend what that 'giant' is and where you are.
Handling - great out of the box, handles direction and camber changes very well, Renault have done a great job with the chassis. Has a little bit of understeer built in, but driving style can get around that (as I found out at Bedford after a little spin
). Kept a couple of Imprezas and even a British registered Porsche 911 honest at the 'ring, but at that place it doesn't really matter due to skill/commitment levels differing so much. Mine has Eibach pro springs on standard dampers (lowered 15mm), not bad, but a set of Leda Coilovers are supposed to make them handle amazingly well. Could do with a touch of negative camber like the 'cup' to get the best out of the tyres though the bends. Brakes - I run BBPT Powerslot Discs and Pagid Fast Road Pads, Braided Hoses and Wilwood high temp fluid, never had a problem with them, ABS is well judged and doesn't cut in too early, don't feel the need to uprate the discs or calipers, never really suffered from fade on track.
Power - 172bhp out the box, N/A tuning is expensive (only decent route is TB's) which ain't cheap. Enough power to make trackdays fun, certainly feels quick and has a second lease of life around 4500rpm, but struggles on the long uphill sections at the 'ring (no problems at Bedford!).
Personally I think it would make a great track day car, if you're not bothered about the creature comforts go for the 172 Cup. Mine is the full version with leather/alcantara, climate control, Xenon lights etc, whereas the cup doesn't have these, comes with a cloth interior but is significantly lighter (around 60kg I think).
Cheers for the Clio advice mac, much appreciated.
I'm thinking about getting an early 172 ( www.pistonheads.com/sales/122687.htm ) as it will only really see the track rather than commuting etc. I have a couple of race seats that'll go in to lower the driving position slightly and I'll probably take the rear seats out too.
I figured if I can get one for about £4k it shouldn't lose huge amounts of money in the time that I have it and should prove to be pretty cheap to run.
I'm thinking about getting an early 172 ( www.pistonheads.com/sales/122687.htm ) as it will only really see the track rather than commuting etc. I have a couple of race seats that'll go in to lower the driving position slightly and I'll probably take the rear seats out too.
I figured if I can get one for about £4k it shouldn't lose huge amounts of money in the time that I have it and should prove to be pretty cheap to run.
Good????? It's better than the best BJ you'll ever have... that's how good it is....
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
gtdc said:
Good????? It's better than the best BJ you'll ever have... that's how good it is....
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
I look forward to getting to the 'ring and Spa this year, Spa really does look superb and just to be able to say "I went flat through Eau Rouge" has got to be worth the trip on its own!!
They are both truly awesome circuits... but it's not just the track, it's all the rest. the bars, the people, the mullets, the big sausages... it's all perfect.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
gtdc said:
They are both truly awesome circuits... but it's not just the track, it's all the rest. the bars, the people, the mullets, the big sausages... it's all perfect.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
It gets better and better!!!
Actualy, Melindi has a very good point, what makes Spa THE BEST is it has atmosphere. Even out of the car when you look at any parts of the track you know its a bit special.
If you are ever lucky enough to be out there with someone testing a serious Historic car with a DFV engine in it or perhaps an old Ferrari the sound reverberating around the hills is uniquely awsome.
If you are ever lucky enough to be out there with someone testing a serious Historic car with a DFV engine in it or perhaps an old Ferrari the sound reverberating around the hills is uniquely awsome.
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