Blancpain Spa 24 hours 2017
Discussion
Camping can be done on circuit in the car parks or in the fields behind Les Combes, I believe the car parks can be a bit boisterous but if you are in the wrong place you should be able to move, Les Combes was pretty peaceful last year, it cost me 45€ for a campervan and that's where I'll be heading again this year.
If you want a 'proper' campsite there's camping Eau Rouge which is about half and hour walk along the old track towards Stavelot, they were wanting bookings for the full week last year though as it's peak Dutch school holiday season, nice site though, there's also Camping Spa d'or which plenty of people like, not been there myself though. It's a bit further away though, driving needed. I think there's also options in Stavelot village.
As for hotels, I've no idea, but you should be able to find something not too far away or expensive, Liege isn't that far.
The usual Spa rules apply, pack most of the clothes you own and a good pair of boots, walk the full track.
Don't be surprised if there's more safety car than racing on the Saturday, it's a cracking event though, and well recommended.
I love Spa me, setting off for there in 10 hours.
If you want a 'proper' campsite there's camping Eau Rouge which is about half and hour walk along the old track towards Stavelot, they were wanting bookings for the full week last year though as it's peak Dutch school holiday season, nice site though, there's also Camping Spa d'or which plenty of people like, not been there myself though. It's a bit further away though, driving needed. I think there's also options in Stavelot village.
As for hotels, I've no idea, but you should be able to find something not too far away or expensive, Liege isn't that far.
The usual Spa rules apply, pack most of the clothes you own and a good pair of boots, walk the full track.
Don't be surprised if there's more safety car than racing on the Saturday, it's a cracking event though, and well recommended.
I love Spa me, setting off for there in 10 hours.
There's a very good campsite opposite the Racing Hotel in Francorchamps. Good showers and handy for supplies from the village and eating/drinking etc. It will be a little lively due to its location, but the easy access to facilities more than makes up for it. When I started going to the 24 in 1990 the camping was unbelievably primitive - we were literally just in fields between the village and the track, without any facilities, but still had a brilliant time.
It is an amazing race and the speeds are startling these days. It's hard to believe these 1.3 tonne modified road cars are flat through Raidillon now...
It is an amazing race and the speeds are startling these days. It's hard to believe these 1.3 tonne modified road cars are flat through Raidillon now...
Hotels : The ones is the village are almost certainly booked up by now, the one I've used before at Relais de Pommard is, but as was suggested Liege isn't far and where I'm staying this year.
In terms of the experience, personally I think the Paddock tickets are worth the little bit extra, I like watching from above the pits and even on race day its not too busy. If you are there earlier in the week, the parade into town and autograph session is good, and better than the pit walks which get busy.
In terms of other stuff, its one of the good circuits to photograph at due to decent windows in the fences
In terms of the experience, personally I think the Paddock tickets are worth the little bit extra, I like watching from above the pits and even on race day its not too busy. If you are there earlier in the week, the parade into town and autograph session is good, and better than the pit walks which get busy.
In terms of other stuff, its one of the good circuits to photograph at due to decent windows in the fences
Hi guys. Have decided fairly last minute to go to this with my dad, driving up saturday back sunday and have a hotel room booked for saturday night. Does anybody have a clue which car park to aim for near the top end of the circuit, having seen some of you saying they get used for camping? Any other info about the event, havent been before! Whats access round the circuit like, how busy is it when leaving etc.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I went in 2014 - I wrote a bit of a report with some photos here which might help: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2014/spa-24-hours...
We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.
Enjoy!
We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.
Enjoy!
chevronb37 said:
I went in 2014 - I wrote a bit of a report with some photos here which might help: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2014/spa-24-hours...
We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.
Enjoy!
Awesome thanks for that. We are planning on doing Bruges, Ghent and leuven before heading down to Spa. Hopefully won't get lost! I'm hoping there's a bit of English commentary this year,gonna download the blancpain app just in case! We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.
Enjoy!
chevronb37 said:
I went in 2014 - I wrote a bit of a report with some photos here which might help: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2014/spa-24-hours...
We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.
Enjoy!
Very helpful thank you, we've got paddock passes, glad we did that!We parked opposite the old pits and paid €10 per day - it honestly couldn't have been simpler! I don't remember it being hard to get out but it really isn't a super busy event. Access around the track is great but make sure you get paddock passes. I think they're about €20 but well worth it. Not only can you get around the paddock itself but the top of the old pits at night is magical as they hammer down through Eau Rouge and up out of Raidillon. Probably my favourite spectating spot for that event.
Enjoy!
With regards commentary, IIRC the local commentary has bits of English mixed in. It's not great tbh.
But unlike Le Mans they have a proper lighting number scheme. Each car has on the windscreen and side an LED panel displaying the cars position in class, in different colours per class. It makes life a lot easier than the silly Le Man's 3 light system
But unlike Le Mans they have a proper lighting number scheme. Each car has on the windscreen and side an LED panel displaying the cars position in class, in different colours per class. It makes life a lot easier than the silly Le Man's 3 light system
And there's screens opposite the grandstands, and one at Les Combes so it's fairly easy to follow the race. Talking of stands the one opposite the old pits offers one of the best views in the world, but sit towards the back, the one opposite the F1 pits has the only dull view in the track IMO, getting about the circuit is not to be missed though.
I don't think the F1 pits stand is the best, but its worth popping in for a bit. Its excellent for getting a blast of sound as they accelerate past and the roof adds to the noise. If you sit on the right you get a view of the run into and through the chicane.
I completely agree about getting out and about the circuit though. Especially up the top the circuit. Bruxelles is my favourite spot on the whole circuit, you get so close to the cars and then on the exit it combines an amazing long view. Also its worth just sitting and watching on the Kemmel straight, its good for overtaking and the slope means they aren't just whizzing past.
I completely agree about getting out and about the circuit though. Especially up the top the circuit. Bruxelles is my favourite spot on the whole circuit, you get so close to the cars and then on the exit it combines an amazing long view. Also its worth just sitting and watching on the Kemmel straight, its good for overtaking and the slope means they aren't just whizzing past.
Mountain Man said:
Bruxelles is my favourite spot on the whole circuit, you get so close to the cars and then on the exit it combines an amazing long view.
Yep, agreed. I always used to take photos from Bruxelles with the Bus Stop and start/finish straight in the background. It also gives you a great perspective with regards to just how big the track is and how much gradient change there is.FredericRobinson said:
No mention of the race in the schedule on Radio Le Mans, so looks like no availability of English commentary even via the internet, I'd expect there to be regular updates on Daily Sportscar though.
If you download the Blancpain app, there is a button for "live radio". I believe you get the audio feed from the live youtube stream on that. Certainly worth downloading the app now, for use at the weekend.Pre-Qualifying live now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih2eoKcx5jg
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