General Admission at Spa: Best Viewing Place
Discussion
As per title: last minute (relatively speaking) idea to see the new F1 cars (and decide for myself about the apparent loss of impact from the sound of new power units) in action.
Spa looks doable, just getting logistics lined up. Hotels available in Maastricht at reasonable price will drive there but no idea about where to stand. Will go general admission most likely.
Any tips?
Spa looks doable, just getting logistics lined up. Hotels available in Maastricht at reasonable price will drive there but no idea about where to stand. Will go general admission most likely.
Any tips?
Due to the very real threat of inclement weather ( & because I like the view from there) I have put myself in the Grandstand at the top of Radillon for many years now (looking forward this year to the first time in a long time that Eau Rouge/Radillon are not "easy flat" 
)
However, to offer some advice, from what I see, the top of the hill just before Les Combes seems to be the place for various types of "action", including, but not limited to, passing, & having a "biggie". Always looks pretty chockers on race day, I would imagine it involves a VERY early start to get a good spot. If there is a screen up there too, got to be the best I would suggest.
) However, to offer some advice, from what I see, the top of the hill just before Les Combes seems to be the place for various types of "action", including, but not limited to, passing, & having a "biggie". Always looks pretty chockers on race day, I would imagine it involves a VERY early start to get a good spot. If there is a screen up there too, got to be the best I would suggest.
I was last at Spa for the F1 in 2011 and though we had a grandstand ticket, Gold 3 in the middle of Eau Rouge, we walked the track on the Friday and Saturday.
Personally I thought the best general area to be before Pouhon between corners 9 and 10. Position yourself well and you can see almost 5 corners from Rivage onwards.
I didn't rate the stand we had and when we go again would try La Source stands. Trouble with Gold 3 was that depending on which row you were in you either couldn't see La Source, the entry to Radillion or worse the cars actually disappeared beneath you through Eau Rouge.
We had the latter and therefore despite being in the middle of Eau Rouge we never saw the Webber/Alonso overtake. We saw Webber and Alonso approaching Eau Rouge, then nothing, then Webber ahead in Radillion.
Personally I thought the best general area to be before Pouhon between corners 9 and 10. Position yourself well and you can see almost 5 corners from Rivage onwards.
I didn't rate the stand we had and when we go again would try La Source stands. Trouble with Gold 3 was that depending on which row you were in you either couldn't see La Source, the entry to Radillion or worse the cars actually disappeared beneath you through Eau Rouge.
We had the latter and therefore despite being in the middle of Eau Rouge we never saw the Webber/Alonso overtake. We saw Webber and Alonso approaching Eau Rouge, then nothing, then Webber ahead in Radillion.
I went in 2012. We got there a little late but there were plenty of spots available. Whilst likely not one of the best spots I can say that the short straight before Pouhon had some good slopes to sit on that didn't fill up until about 11am if you get stuck. I certainly don't regret sitting there and we saw plenty of overtaking.
Pouhon or bus stop are really the only decent places I found with general admission. We got to Pouhon at 7:00-7:30am last year on race day and it was PACKED. The problem with the bus stop is it's hard to get a view through the trees. Most other bronze areas are flat, so it's hard to see much.
RenOHH said:
Pouhon or bus stop are really the only decent places I found with general admission. We got to Pouhon at 7:00-7:30am last year on race day and it was PACKED. The problem with the bus stop is it's hard to get a view through the trees. Most other bronze areas are flat, so it's hard to see much.
Yep I'd agree with that and it's not that easy to find a space in the general areas around Blanchimont. I've never sat there but a photo I took of the rocky part of Blancimont as we walked the track on Saturday. 
Edited by Agent Orange on Friday 15th August 09:43
Agent Orange said:
Yep I'd agree with that and it's not that easy to find a space in the general areas around Blanchimont. I've never sat there but a photo I took of the rocky part of Blancimont as we walked the track on Saturday.
Last year it was like that at 7am at any decent bronze viewing spot. Every teeny tiny little nugget of space with a view not blocked by a tree was taken by someone!Edited by Agent Orange on Friday 15th August 09:43
I am not being confrontational here (or trying to come over all "Big Bucks" ) but, if you are going to spend the not inconsiderable sum required to get there (fuel & tunnel, accommodation etc . . . unless you are "tenting it" & that costs too ) + nosh & the large Beer allowance needed to "get into" the local culture 
is it not a good investment to pay that bit extra for a Grandstand seat (even if covered doesn't work too well in horizontal rain, it saves you the very worst of a soaking)
Do agree with a previous poster however, some seats in some grandstands are useless, hence why I book ASAP & use the "express your seat preference " box on the booking form (so far, with 100% success )
Fully agree with "doing the circuit" on Fri & Sat, but race day you really need somewhere reserved if you don't want to sit on a muddy bank from 06:30 till 16:00.
is it not a good investment to pay that bit extra for a Grandstand seat (even if covered doesn't work too well in horizontal rain, it saves you the very worst of a soaking)Do agree with a previous poster however, some seats in some grandstands are useless, hence why I book ASAP & use the "express your seat preference " box on the booking form (so far, with 100% success )
Fully agree with "doing the circuit" on Fri & Sat, but race day you really need somewhere reserved if you don't want to sit on a muddy bank from 06:30 till 16:00.
I'm off to Spa for the first time, and can't wait. But I'm a little bit unsure what to pack, knowing how changeable the climate can be..
So, could anyone help out who has been before? I've been told, that you walk a lot, but is it all on paths, or do you go off the beaten track and get muddy?
Also, do you tend to sit down to watch the race, or is a stand up jobbie?
Any essentials of helpful advice would be great.
So, could anyone help out who has been before? I've been told, that you walk a lot, but is it all on paths, or do you go off the beaten track and get muddy?
Also, do you tend to sit down to watch the race, or is a stand up jobbie?
Any essentials of helpful advice would be great.
It is all mostly on hard pack paths that don't get boggy but the general admission areas along the Kemmel straight and Pouhon are both grassy banks that can get a big soggy but it drains very well and quickly. I would say wellies are overkill but decent grippy "sensible" shoes.
You might walk a bit but it's not like your on a major hike. Friday or Saturday you'll have the space to walk the circuit and you should take advantage of that. But on Sunday you won't be able to move or won't want to for fear of losing your spot. If you do move on Sunday during the race you'll likely be spending a lot of time queuing to get down paths and unable to see any action.
As for what to wear? Pack for all weathers bar snow
As theotherme says it can be changeable and it's highly likely you'll appreciate a waterproof at some point over the weekend.
10 minutes before this shot it was glorious sunshine.
You might walk a bit but it's not like your on a major hike. Friday or Saturday you'll have the space to walk the circuit and you should take advantage of that. But on Sunday you won't be able to move or won't want to for fear of losing your spot. If you do move on Sunday during the race you'll likely be spending a lot of time queuing to get down paths and unable to see any action.
As for what to wear? Pack for all weathers bar snow
As theotherme says it can be changeable and it's highly likely you'll appreciate a waterproof at some point over the weekend.10 minutes before this shot it was glorious sunshine.
wanacoop said:
I'm off to Spa for the first time, and can't wait. But I'm a little bit unsure what to pack, knowing how changeable the climate can be..
So, could anyone help out who has been before? I've been told, that you walk a lot, but is it all on paths, or do you go off the beaten track and get muddy?
Also, do you tend to sit down to watch the race, or is a stand up jobbie?
Any essentials of helpful advice would be great.
Pack some walking boots - not for the surfaces, which for the most part are concrete/tarmac/gravel, but to save your feet. Our tradition is always to walk the track post-race, but even without that it's several miles from the top to bottom end of the circuit!So, could anyone help out who has been before? I've been told, that you walk a lot, but is it all on paths, or do you go off the beaten track and get muddy?
Also, do you tend to sit down to watch the race, or is a stand up jobbie?
Any essentials of helpful advice would be great.
In terms of waterproofing I'd recommend a decent size poncho (head to your local army surplus shop) or waterproof coat and trousers. You don't want to have a wet arse when it tips it down half way through the session.
The tendency is to sit down - most bronze admission places fill up pretty quickly by about 9am, so you're sitting about watching the support races etc, by the time the race comes no-one's that fussed for standing all the way through.
Oh, and take a trowel/spade/entrenching tool to dig yourselves some places to sit!
For reference I've been twice, and both times we ended up sitting on the slopes just before Pouhon as there's a) a screen and b) plenty of room to sit.
Brilliant circuit, definitely my favourite.
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