Off to my first F1, Belgium. Any pointers?

DampCat

DampCat

DampCat

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Few questions actually.

I assume there are food and drink vendors on site. Am i allowed to take in my own stuff?

Also, I want to take my camera and a big lens (100-400 Canon), but some events wont allow you to do so without a press pass. Is that the case?

General tips though would be ace :) Dead excited.
 
Should be fine on both counts, food and camera. You are at Silverstone anyway and I assume the races each have the same set of spectating rules?
 
As with most sport venue food vendors, the stuff is very expensive for what you get. It will be very crowded on the Sunday so spend Froday/Saturday walking the circuit to figure out where you want to watch the race from. (Unless you have grandstand seats).

They don't care what photo equipment you have, you generally have fences to worry about getting in the way of good photos, but there are plenty of spaces to get a good shot.

It's a big circuit, an is very hilly so be prepared for a good long walk.

Are you staying near the circuit?

As Flibster said, waterproofs and warm clothing. While it is summer, it gets bloody cold and windy there!
 
Lovely thanks guys. I'm in a grandstand so i suppose i'll be worrying about heads and shoulders in shot :(

I'll remember the waterproofs just in case!

I'm staying at Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre which is in Brussels so it'll be a long drive back post-race (well, 100 miles), but that doesnt really bother me. I'll be flying back monday morning so got to drive to Brussels at some point anyway.
 
Are you going for the full weekend?

What kind of parking have you got? When I went in '08 it wasn't the clearest, but found the best parking was over at the north end taking the back roads using the entrance by Les Combes, as the parking was right next to the track.

Be careful post-race as most of the roads get turned in to one-way rounds at the end of the race, and you might find yourself travelling in the wrong direction from the circuit when you leave!
 
I've got weekend tickets, but it's likely i'll spend saturday in Brussels. The tickets were a gift so the hotel being so far from the track is beyond my control, sadly.

Thanks for the driving tips. I'm a little worried as i always am when driving abroad but i'm sure it will be fine.
 
Definitely take water proofs, you'll be doing LOTS of walking so take comfortable footwear. The track is mega and takes a good half hour - 45 minutes to an hour to walk from one side to the other.

Food wise definitely make sure you get some chips with mayo and a must is a waffle - a thing of sheer heaven!

I would advise you to take a back pack with a picnic in though for sandwiches etc.- food and drink prices are extortionate generally.

Toilet wise the less you can go the better, especially wouldn't want to have a number 2 in any of the mobile toilets around the track. Eurghhh...

Aside from that though, best track ever made, one of the most beautiful enchanting places I've ever been to. The Ardenne Forest region is ridiculously beautiful.

After the race on Sunday, if you're in no rush do the track walk and take your time. When I went in 11' myself and the missus were about the last people out of the circuit and it is really quite a profound place to be once the deafening noise of the engines have gone and no one's around, made me think back to all of the drivers who'd driven there since the beginning of Formula 1.

I'm actually getting goosebumps thinking about the sound of the engines through the forest.

Epic.
 
Once you've been to spa, no where else will seem the same, its so much better in reality than on the telly.
There literally is not a boring place at the track.
I went to the wec and the sun was out all day, cameras were allowed and see took our own food.
 
Sorry for the thread hijack - this is my 1st time to Spa as well!

I am contemplating either camping at the campingF1.com campsite, or staying at a nice hotel in Bruges and driving down to Spa on raceday.

If I were to take the latter option, what time would I need to be arriving at the racetrack to secure a carpark spot in time for the race? Would it be worth doing it that way?

Im not a huge fan of camping, I am a bit worried about the security of my car at the campsite, and also how much sleep I will not get. I will do it though if its clearly the best option!

Thanks in advance.
 
Ok, I've written some pointers before for people, so check here, here, here and here.

There are plenty of food and drinks stalls about, but choice is limited to burgers, hot dogs, waffles, coffee and beer. I'd suggest taking your own food, or at least some. Your fine taking food in.

Cameras are also fine, no issue with big lenses or tripods. Spa is all hills though so balance out what you want with what your prepared to carry around all day.

It will rain, take waterproofs. Full water proofs including trousers. There nothing worse than sitting in wet jeans all day.

If your going Friday, use the time to walk the whole track. Its a brilliant place and there are some great spectator spots to be had up the top.

And stick around after the race when they open the track up, and go to Eau Rouge so you can walk up it and see what its like.

Anything else you want to ask just let me know. And maybe I will see you there!
 
Skeeter said:
Ok, I've written some pointers before for people, so check here, here, here and here.

There are plenty of food and drinks stalls about, but choice is limited to burgers, hot dogs, waffles, coffee and beer. I'd suggest taking your own food, or at least some. Your fine taking food in.

Cameras are also fine, no issue with big lenses or tripods. Spa is all hills though so balance out what you want with what your prepared to carry around all day.

It will rain, take waterproofs. Full water proofs including trousers. There nothing worse than sitting in wet jeans all day.

If your going Friday, use the time to walk the whole track. Its a brilliant place and there are some great spectator spots to be had up the top.

And stick around after the race when they open the track up, and go to Eau Rouge so you can walk up it and see what its like.

Anything else you want to ask just let me know. And maybe I will see you there!
Click to expand...

Thankyou for that Skeeter!

One final query - I noticed in your last linked thread that you used the campingF1 campsite, how would you rate them? I have a fairly low RWD coupe (335i) so I am worried about security & getting in & out of the paddock.

Its either them or a hotel with a secure underground carpark. My friends and I are leaning towards the hotel option.

Thanks
 
CampingF1 was good. It is just a field but they had plumbed in hot showers (when the farmer didn't turn the water off) and a massive marque that did hot food and was a bar in the evenings. Of all the camping options I would say its one of the best. Everyone there is like minded too so we had a good laugh. The pre erected tents are also great after a long drive.

It is a field on a hill though, and we got a Honda Jazz stuck. So be prepared to get pulled out by a Land Rover. Are you parking at the track or would you be getting the bus from the Camping F1 site? If parking, have you ordered your parking passes yet?
 
Skeeter said:
Are you parking at the track or would you be getting the bus from the Camping F1 site? If parking, have you ordered your parking passes yet?
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Good question, I have only just begun to look into parking.

Haven't yet committed to campingF1 or a hotel. If we went with Camping F1 I would be looking to catch the bus to the circuit. If we opted for the Hotel I would need parking - tried looking at the bookF1 website but all the parking passes seem to be sold out.

However, Ive been reading that you can just sort of park up in fields or peoples lawns on race day for a fee? Is that right?

We don't mind walking to the circuit from a carpark if thats whats needed.

Edit I have just read at the bookF1 website: "Parking will also be available to purchase on arrival at the circuit." Would that be feasible?

Thanks for the feedback on campingF1. They get very very mixed reviews online which is making the decision difficult. The access issue worries me also.

Appreciate the advice.
 
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Crimefighter said:
Good question, I have only just begun to look into parking.
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Your too late then, I'm afraid. Even if you could book now they FedEx the passes over and I highly doubt they will arrive in time.

If your going to CampingF1 then you should aim to park in the Red car park which is easiest to get to, although its the bottom end of the track. You will need to pay on the gate and brace yourself for the price. Its about 16 Euros a day last time I checked.

If your staying in a Hotel then your parking depends on where your staying, but the same is true, pay on entry.

Parking on peoples drives only really happens in the Spa village, and you will be lucky to get a spot so I wouldn't waste your time trying.

The Red carpark is a flat gravel area and then all down both sides of a road, while the Green is a field. I've not parked in the others so can't comment.

The bus from Camping F1 is fine, but be prepared to queue for it.

Are you going for all 3 days?
 
Skeeter said:
Your too late then, I'm afraid. Even if you could book now they FedEx the passes over and I highly doubt they will arrive in time.

If your going to CampingF1 then you should aim to park in the Red car park which is easiest to get to, although its the bottom end of the track. You will need to pay on the gate and brace yourself for the price. Its about 16 Euros a day last time I checked.

If your staying in a Hotel then your parking depends on where your staying, but the same is true, pay on entry.

Parking on peoples drives only really happens in the Spa village, and you will be lucky to get a spot so I wouldn't waste your time trying.

The Red carpark is a flat gravel area and then all down both sides of a road, while the Green is a field. I've not parked in the others so can't comment.

The bus from Camping F1 is fine, but be prepared to queue for it.

Are you going for all 3 days?
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Just going for race day, combining it with a city break for the rest of the long weekend. did something similar in Hungary last year and it worked really well.

TBH Im not a huge F1 fan, I just loved the spectacle and the noise!!!! It was unreal at the Hungaroring, Ive Spa is an even better circuit for spectators.

I don't mind paying a parking fee - there will be 3 of us to split it anyway. I just want to make sure that *something* will be available when we arrive (about 8am). Red carpark seems the way to go - do these carparks fill up and/or do they hae overflow areas?

Thanks again.
 
The Red carpark won't fill up, as its basically both sides of a stretch of road that's about 2 miles long. They shuttle bus people back and forth. Turning up to the Red one at 8am should be fine.

The noise in Spa is epic. It bounces around the trees and sounds completely different to a more open track.

There is always a good atmosphere too. You will enjoy it.
 
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