Spa 24 Hours 2019

Author
Discussion

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

3,938 posts

239 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2019
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Entry list out

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/07/02/72-cars-o...


Should be setting up camp this time in 3 weeks

vernz

179 posts

137 months

Thursday 4th July 2019
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Our third year on the bounce......

Looking forward to the race and a week off work.

Where are you camping?


FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

3,938 posts

239 months

Thursday 4th July 2019
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We’ll be on the Promocombes site behind Les Combes, you?

vernz

179 posts

137 months

Thursday 4th July 2019
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We are staying off circuit at Camping Eau Rouge.

We actually look forward to the camping there after years of crappy showers at Le Mans.

We are travelling down on Thursday, but this year are camping for 6 days and intend on driving out to a few places of interest on the Monday and Tuesday.

Look out for a red Honda Type R.........

I'll be happy if it's a bit cooler than the 36 degrees that we had last year!!

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

3,938 posts

239 months

Thursday 4th July 2019
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The facilities at les Combes are well below Le Mans standards, it’s cheap and bang next to the track though, I’ stayed at Eau Rouge a couple of times, but last time I tried to book they wanted a full weeks booking so I’ve not bothered again, very nice spot though

vernz

179 posts

137 months

Friday 5th July 2019
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To be totally honest, the facilities (or lack of them) wouldn't really be an issue to myself or my wife. As long as I can get under some running water once a day to get the dust off, then all is ok with me.

It was/is the muppetry that you can sometimes experience at Le Mans that we were a bit jaded with that initially made us look at off track alternatives when we first went to Spa.

We actually had the same issue as you mentioned with camping Eau Rouge last year. The owner can be a bit frosty sometimes and we only wanted 4 nights so we went to another campsite near Malmedy (camping Du Moulin).

When she actually explained, it turns out that they has a small number of pitches that they keep for 3 and 4 night stays (racing watchers I suppose), but after they have gone, it's only a 7 day option. We have been 3 times and got 4 night pitches each time, but last year left it later to book and all the short stay pitches were gone. The other campsite was actually really nice and we were torn between the two this year.

As I said previously, we are doing 6 days in all and on reflection just felt that Eau Rouge being that bit nearer is slightly better and although we will drive in and park on the Friday, we are contemplating walking in on race day as it's only about 1.5 miles to the Stavelot gate.

gazza5

821 posts

112 months

Tuesday 9th July 2019
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Gutted can't make this years, already told the missus will be going next year!

Huw32

13 posts

168 months

Tuesday 9th July 2019
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Hi folks,

Tempted to head out this year if I can persuade the other half. Aside from the obvious paddock entry, does anyone know what's included with the Paddock Pass over and above the General Entry Tickets? There's a piece on the Spa24 website suggesting pit-box and F1 terrace access but that dates from 2014!

Ahonen

5,023 posts

286 months

Tuesday 9th July 2019
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Huw32 said:
Hi folks,

Tempted to head out this year if I can persuade the other half. Aside from the obvious paddock entry, does anyone know what's included with the Paddock Pass over and above the General Entry Tickets? There's a piece on the Spa24 website suggesting pit-box and F1 terrace access but that dates from 2014!
Have a look here: https://www.total24hours.com/tickets

Follow the links through and there's an explanation of what ticket gets you what. The VIP package is a huge step in price but gives you a lounge with a free bar, grid walk etc. But if my memory is right then the paddock pass should give you access to the bar/restaurant in the F1 pits so you can have a drink while watching the cars arrive at the Bus Stop and head past you on the F1 pit straight. I'd choose the paddock pass over the general entrance as the step in price is small. You won't be able to go in the garages as the teams will have a bit on, but there's a lot more to see in general.

I'll be working there so I'm sorry I'm so vague!

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

3,938 posts

239 months

Wednesday 10th July 2019
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The cheapo ticket is ok for the paddock and pit building on the Thursday and Friday, that’s all I get as it’s 30 odd euros cheaper

vernz

179 posts

137 months

Wednesday 10th July 2019
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Ahonen said:
Have a look here: https://www.total24hours.com/tickets

Follow the links through and there's an explanation of what ticket gets you what. The VIP package is a huge step in price but gives you a lounge with a free bar, grid walk etc. But if my memory is right then the paddock pass should give you access to the bar/restaurant in the F1 pits so you can have a drink while watching the cars arrive at the Bus Stop and head past you on the F1 pit straight. I'd choose the paddock pass over the general entrance as the step in price is small. You won't be able to go in the garages as the teams will have a bit on, but there's a lot more to see in general.

I'll be working there so I'm sorry I'm so vague!
+ 1 on the paddock pass. In reality you could avoid this cost and see most of the paddock on the Thursday and Friday, but we always get this ticket as it's nice to have a wander over on race day and just makes it generally easier to get around. Wifey also enjoys the free toilets in the paddock!!

Impossible to blag your way in as well. Last year we were chatting to a few of the Barwell pit boys on the way back to the paddock entrance and security wouldn't let one of them back in because his wrist band was too worn and the security wasn't convinced.......the kit he was wearing didn't seem to make any difference!!

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

3,938 posts

239 months

Wednesday 10th July 2019
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Regarding tickets, for some reason they don’t seem to sell 4 day tickets on line, so if you’re going to practice days too, buy on the gate, cheaper than buying separate practice and race tickets on line

Huw32

13 posts

168 months

Wednesday 10th July 2019
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Cheers guys: I assume the dedicated spectators' pit box they mention here isn't a thing they do any more! : https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/270/pract...

Now to convince the OH she wants a camping adventure on the continent! So far I'm taking the chocolate, chips with mayo and waffles approach!

vernz

179 posts

137 months

Thursday 11th July 2019
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Huw32 said:
Cheers guys: I assume the dedicated spectators' pit box they mention here isn't a thing they do any more! : https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/270/pract...

Now to convince the OH she wants a camping adventure on the continent! So far I'm taking the chocolate, chips with mayo and waffles approach!
If you are looking for off track camping on short notice, try these people.

Left it late last year and got a pitch.

https://www.campingmalmedy.be/

They have a converted water mill on site that is now a bar/cafe. They have over 40 Belgium beers you can sample.

The site is near Malmedy and took us about 10 mins to drive to the circuit.

Also note that on circuit you need to purchase beer and food tokens at the various machines. The vendors are cash free.

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

3,938 posts

239 months

Thursday 11th July 2019
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This is where I stay

https://www.promocombes.be/?lang=en

Very basic, but very convenient

Huw32

13 posts

168 months

Friday 12th July 2019
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FredericRobinson said:
This is where I stay

https://www.promocombes.be/?lang=en

Very basic, but very convenient
Cheers - do they do advance bookings? (Sent a message via the form earlier but no response yet!)

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

3,938 posts

239 months

Friday 12th July 2019
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Not that I'm aware of, just turn up and pay, or in the case if me last year, if no-one asks for payment, don't

Huw32

13 posts

168 months

Tuesday 16th July 2019
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FredericRobinson said:
Not that I'm aware of, just turn up and pay, or in the case if me last year, if no-one asks for payment, don't
Cheers! Does it usually sell out there or will we be ok turning up mid-afternoon on Thursday?

FredericRobinson

Original Poster:

3,938 posts

239 months

Tuesday 16th July 2019
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Should be fine, might have to go down to the lower field, there's also a field next door which is mainly used for car parking but has a fair few campers on it which is much quieter, that's to the left if you look at the photos on the website.

There's also a campsite to the right on the photos, over the road, which has more in the way of facilities, but is more boisterous, all 3 seem to be independent of each other

t955daytona

310 posts

190 months

Wednesday 24th July 2019
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Does anybody know if there is English commentary broadcast and if so what frequency? Just trying to cover all bases as it’s the bit I missed most during the N24 as keeping touch with who is where in the standings is not always clear.

Thanks Craig