The 2018 Spa 24 hours thread

[Mountain Man]

The entry list has been released. It's a small grid this year. Only 68 cars in 5 classes. Including an somewhat ridiculous 30 cars in Pro. It's almost becoming an All Star event looking at some of the cars. Full info below

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/07/03/68-car-sp...

[Mountain Man]

So whose going? I'm arriving Tuesday in time to catch the Bronze test as a little aperitif to the event.

Forecast is for an absolute scorcher up into the low 30s, with forecasts of Thunder storms arriving the day after the race. If they arrive a bit earlier we could have all sorts of fun....

[FredericRobinson]

I should be there from Wednesday evening

[Mountain Man]

An updated entry list has been announced, the grid has shrunk from 68 to 65 with some drop outs, notably in Pro Am. That is still 10 cars too many in my view, but is an improvement.

If my maths are right, it will be 24 cars tomorrow.

[Mountain Man]

The forecast is now for 33 on Thursday, 35 degrees on Friday then thunderstorms and loads of rain on Saturday. This could be fun.....

[FredericRobinson]

Hope not, heavy rain will just mean safety cars, the Saturday part of the race 3 years ago was more or less a write off

[Mountain Man]

I've been in Brussels the last couple of days and it's getting hotter and hotter. Certainly feels like thunderstorm weather. The forecast has been jumping around as to when but it's been consistent that it will rain. Hopefully it'll be Friday night into Saturday.

Definitely need a shaded spot for the parade tomorrow.

On a race related note, that Honda looks great in photos. Definitely going to be a fan favourite

Edited by Mountain Man on Tuesday 24th July 10:53

[vernz]

It will definitely rain at approx 3.00pm on Thursday and 9.00am on Monday...........these are the times I will be erecting and dismantling our camping pitch!!

On the DFDS ferry for 8.00am and staying near Malmedy.

4th year for us. Really looking forward to it.

[FredericRobinson]

A spell of rain on Friday night might quieten the partying on the campsite and help with a good nights sleep

[Mountain Man]

I don't think it's possible to quieten the partying at the campsites.

[vernz]

Mountain Man said:

I don't think it's possible to quieten the partying at the campsites.

It's a pretty quiet affair if you camp off track. I don't even know what's available on circuit to be honest, but we just find a nice campsite nearby and actually look upon the trip as a holiday rather than a Le Mans type 'experience'.

We did Le Mans 6 times and just got a bit fed up with all the usual crap that you seem to have to contend with each year. I get that some people still love the whole Le Mans mad camping stuff, but for us it was just becoming a bit of a ball ache to be honest.

[FredericRobinson]

I camp at Les Combes, not part of the track in the way the Le Mans campsites are, but right next to it, there's 3 areas of differing boisterousness, but none of it's too bad, I think it can be a bit more loud in the main carpark / camping areas though.

[Mountain Man]

I think it's loud but in a fun way, not an idiots Brits abroad Le Mans way.

I've got to the circuit and it's notable there is a temporary grandstand at La Source. It doesn't appear to be open today, but it looks complete which would be plus if it's open this weekend

[Mountain Man]

There is a temporary grandstand on the inside of Eau Rouge, which is a decent photography spot it seems. As it 31 degrees I can't be bothered to walk around the whole circuit, but I wonder if they have put up more, maybe just put the F1 stands up early

[Mountain Man]

Can I be the first to whinge and say it's waaaaaaay too hot. The circuit thermometer showing 35 degrees at quarter past 9 is not fun

[FredericRobinson]

Take care if walking up the Kemel straight, they've dug up the concrete path and replaced it with ankle twisting sized stones.
If the heat gets worse might have to walk fully clothed into the showers in the paddock

[Mountain Man]

FredericRobinson said:

Take care if walking up the Kemel straight, they've dug up the concrete path and replaced it with ankle twisting sized stones.
If the heat gets worse might have to walk fully clothed into the showers in the paddock

So I wasn't imagining it then. I wasn't sure if it was the heat but I swore that was a nice path last year.

There were people sat in the grandstand on the outside of curve Paul Frere, I couldn't be bothered to find out how to get there but there must be a way.

I've found the grandstand on the inside of Eau Rouge is probably the coolest place on circuit, it seems to very little sun so isn't quite the furnace of elsewhere. And I don't think I can resist the temptation of ice cream and cheap cold drinks from the Petrol station for much longer

[Mountain Man]

Yaaaaaaay, thunderstorms!

[jonny142]

Mountain Man said:

Yaaaaaaay, thunderstorms!

Ventusky showing storms midday to evening on Saturday in the area , I've packed a brolly

[Mountain Man]

jonny142 said:

Ventusky showing storms midday to evening on Saturday in the area , I've packed a brolly

It's hammering down now. Proper Spa rain.