Spa-Francorchamps Track Day

[Schuey_911]

Hi Folks,

I'll hopefully be doing this circuit for the first time ever this year and quite excited about it. Done a few track days here in the UK in the car and on bike, namely Silverstone GP, Donington GP and National, Mallory Park and Thruxton. Been going to the Ring for a few years too but by no means an expert.

For you regular Track goers, any tips and advice on driving Spa circuit? I'll most likely be taking the 992 GTS but if weather is not looking great then will take the 981 Cayman. I do know the circuit on the Sim at home playing ACC, but realise the real world is a totally different ball game.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

[AllyM]

No advice to offer but I thought it a great track (done in a Mk7 Golf GTi).

[mikeh501]

Not much advice, only that’s it’s amazing. You will love it. The elevation changes are massive, the width is huge. Kemmel straight needs you to carry speed through Eua rouge; 100mph is coasting. Back half of the track, pouhon is difficult to judge, downhill and off camber. Blanchimont is where the fast lads show how fast! All about trust in the front end.

Enjoy! Done it in a GTS and GT3. Cooked the tyres on pzero’s in a few laps, need to build it up.

[n12maser]

Just checked my instruction notes from a few years ago, these were the main points, might help a bit?Was in a 993:

La Source - very late apex

Les Combes (2nd corner after Kemmel straight) - stay hard left coming out of it , which isn't typical racing line but the compromise gives better entry angle for the next corner which matters more

Bruxelles - the apex is the drain cover...fair bit of cornering before you see it! Resist accelerating until just after it.

Pouhon - if you get the right angle on entry, on the steering wheel, you shouldn't really have to move it, the whole way round

Final bit of chicane, entering home straight - if you're in the right position cornering, you'll drive over the faded white T on the ground

Enjoy!! It's awesome

[TDT]

Build up through the day and just enjoy it.

For your 1st time, advice will be in one ear and out the other. Lol.

[isaldiri]

If you've been to the ring a couple of times, tbh Spa isn't quite as intimidating after. There's a lot of runoff now you can (probably) rely on these days, it's a fantastic track - enjoy!

[ChrisW.]

It's the elevation changes that I found the most interesting and the most complicated corner ? Eau Rouge ... into Radiallion ...

The compression into Eau Rouge is huge and then the "hump" of Radillion throws you out over the kerbs on the left at the entry to the Kemmel Straight ... with slower cars coming onto the circuit from the right.

It's a place to build up your technique .... I found it quite possible to try to carry too much speed into the compression and in so doing compromise options into Radillion ...

Edited by ChrisW. on Tuesday 18th February 10:57

[FL Racing]

When you going? I’m there on 26th May with Gold track and might stay and do the Lotus day on the Thursday 29th.

As for recommendations:
Sort your Hotels and crossings to get better deals asap.
Find a group to share a garage as they are stupidly expensive.
Weather is very unpredictable they say you can get 4 seasons in 1 day and it’s true.
As for track you will love it my favourite track, elevation change and high speed corners.
Make sure your car is prepared brakes fluid and pads tyres key don’t risk it any doubt change them out as it’s an experience trip and you don’t want to messing around in the pit instead of driving

[LaSource]

isaldiri said:

If you've been to the ring a couple of times, tbh Spa isn't quite as intimidating after. There's a lot of runoff now you can (probably) rely on these days, it's a fantastic track - enjoy!

There is a little less run off than before since they ‘upgraded’ the circuit for motorbike racing. Much of the run off is now gravel (eg La Source, Pouhon) - so yes it is there but you don’t really want to have to use it

[ChrisW.]

That's a shame ... I spun out at Pouhon due to a GT3 dumping its coolant in front of me ... and was able to collect the car and return to the circuit after the corner ... I guess that is now not an option.

Regarding tyres and brakes ... I had a double trackday booked and thought that this would finish my tyres off ... half way through the first day I had to get a set of new tyres fitted at the Porsche indie outside LaSource ... cost £2000 ... and the fronts were K? rated Ferrari ... (I couldn't tell a difference) ...

[bigmowley]

My advice for what it’s worth. Take the GTS not the Cayman. Unless the Cayman is fully track prepared it will feel mighty slow and a bit out of its depth at Spa. As others have said make sure everything is spot on with the car. It’s a long way to go to have a problem. It’s a brilliant circuit, my favorite one. In the dry it’s very fast and exhilarating, especially from the top of the hill all the way back to the start line, it’s just one long flowing sequence of curves ending up with a massive braking event into the bus stop. It’s a circuit that favors a car with a lot of aero. My old X-Bow GT4 car was awesome here, totally flat through Blanchimont but right on the limit of grip. Generally it’s a fairly safe circuit, compared to the ring say, lots of run off in most places, very wide and well surfaced. In the wet it’s actually not too bad either, it depends what has been on before your event. It’s one of those circuits that you can still enjoy in the wet even if it takes about 5 minutes to get round
Get fuel before you get there the night before. There is fuel on site and just outside of La Source, but it’s mighty expensive. You will lash through a lot of fuel on a good day, it’s a hungry old circuit and it’s so much fun you won’t want to stop. When I went in my 4RS I got through 4 full tanks by 3PM.
The Hotel La Source is the most convenient by far but get it booked as early as possible as it fills up very fast.

There are a couple of derestricted bits of Autobahn not that far away either if you get chance for a sneaky top speed run.

[ChrisW.]

The Nurburgring is quite close so good for a visit if there is something on ... and the derestricted Autobahn can be on the way ... though the cross country is fun !

It took me by surprise when the speed limit on my satnav disappeared ...

[Hoofy]

Nice! Am envious. For some reason, it's my favourite track (as a gamer!).

I've never been but my tip - as a gamer - is that you probably can't take Eau Rouge at full throttle like you would in a game.

Schuey_911 said:

I'll most likely be taking the 992 GTS but if weather is not looking great then will take the 981 Cayman.

Why so?

[isaldiri]

LaSource said:

There is a little less run off than before since they ‘upgraded’ the circuit for motorbike racing. Much of the run off is now gravel (eg La Source, Pouhon) - so yes it is there but you don’t really want to have to use it

Ah.... i didn't realise that. Shows how long it's been since I've last trekked down... hm...

[Orangecurry]

TDT said:

Build up through the day and just enjoy it.

For your 1st time, advice will be in one ear and out the other. Lol.

This.

[Kendrik]

A well timed thread! I’m doing the Gold Track day on 26th May and will also be my first visit so enjoying the tips. I’ve driven my GT3 at Silverstone, Brands and Donnington so hoping this will be another level.

Also interested in hotel recommendations - don’t mind a bit of a drive - quality (and parking) as important as proximity

Thanks

[Schuey_911]

Wow, just logged in and thanks for the responses and advice from you all. . (There needs to be a "Thanks" or "Like" button on this forum IMO.

I will try and keep in mind everything that has been mentioned and continue watching a few YouTube vids of people going around. But the plan is to drive within my limits and as mentioned by some of you to build up throughout the day. Not going there to set any lap times and will give the circuit the respect it deserves. For me, Silverstone GP circuit has been the best experience to date, I'm hoping this will be another level up.

And yes, after Spa I'll be heading over to the Ring for a few days and enjoy that side too. Need a break as had a pretty crap year last year and didn't get away anywhere.

Really appreciate the feedback folks, I won't reply to each post but just know I'm thankful.

[isaldiri]

Kendrik said:

A well timed thread! I’m doing the Gold Track day on 26th May and will also be my first visit so enjoying the tips. I’ve driven my GT3 at Silverstone, Brands and Donnington so hoping this will be another level.

Also interested in hotel recommendations - don’t mind a bit of a drive - quality (and parking) as important as proximity

Thanks

Hotel de la source. simples....

[Schuey_911]

Hoofy said:

Why so?

992 GTS has a lot of torque and almost double the power of the 981 Cayman I have, so I'm thinking in the rain might enjoy the lesser power NA manual Cayman more.

But if the weather is looking dry, then yeah 992 GTS should be pretty quick on those straights. I have quite a sporty spec on mine with the Aero Kit, Sport PASM and Rear Axel Steering amongst other things. It's 2WD PDK so should be good fun.

[FL Racing]

Kendrik said:

A well timed thread! I’m doing the Gold Track day on 26th May and will also be my first visit so enjoying the tips. I’ve driven my GT3 at Silverstone, Brands and Donnington so hoping this will be another level.

Also interested in hotel recommendations - don’t mind a bit of a drive - quality (and parking) as important as proximity

Thanks

As the GT TD is straight after the 24hr GT race hotels are expensive and fully booked. The group I’m in are staying about 30-49 mins away