My first F1
- Thread starter nero120
- Start date
. Cant wait!I've not been to Spa, but if it has similarities to Silverstone, then I'd say the following:
- If you aren't in a Covered Grandstand, you defiantly want an Umbrella and Rain Jacket on standby.
- If you are just finding somewhere to sit around the track, you need to take some kind of chair and be prepared to camp out the spot as soon as the circuit opens for the day.
- Make sure you are wearing shoes you don't mind getting a little dirty. Silverstone for example is largely grass and when it rains it gets muddy quickly. I always think it's funny when you see women going to Formula 1 for the first time (especially hospitality) as they presumably come thinking it's all glamorous and then have to walk around on muddy grass in their best heels.
- Personally I thought the Kangaroo TV thing was a little pointless, they aren't cheap and you don't want to spend the whole time looking down at the screen. Provided you can see a big screen, all you need is a radio that you can tune into the BBC 5 Live commentary on (I guess you can get that in Belgium?) otherwise you could use a smart phone and get radio, or tv (but it may be delayed)... of course you can also get timing apps too. It's much better to have the commentary and be looking at the track and a big screen, rather than having to look down at mini tv the whole time.
- If you aren't in a Covered Grandstand, you defiantly want an Umbrella and Rain Jacket on standby.
- If you are just finding somewhere to sit around the track, you need to take some kind of chair and be prepared to camp out the spot as soon as the circuit opens for the day.
- Make sure you are wearing shoes you don't mind getting a little dirty. Silverstone for example is largely grass and when it rains it gets muddy quickly. I always think it's funny when you see women going to Formula 1 for the first time (especially hospitality) as they presumably come thinking it's all glamorous and then have to walk around on muddy grass in their best heels.
- Personally I thought the Kangaroo TV thing was a little pointless, they aren't cheap and you don't want to spend the whole time looking down at the screen. Provided you can see a big screen, all you need is a radio that you can tune into the BBC 5 Live commentary on (I guess you can get that in Belgium?) otherwise you could use a smart phone and get radio, or tv (but it may be delayed)... of course you can also get timing apps too. It's much better to have the commentary and be looking at the track and a big screen, rather than having to look down at mini tv the whole time.
Soldato
Istanbul ticked off this year, Spa is the next one.
Just two days for us - Sat and Sun (and travel back Monday) but we fully expect to get wet and burned in that time.
If you're in the scramble for GA in Eau Rouge I hear you'll need to be up at 6 am on race day to get a decent position. My plan? Send the g/f. I'll relieve her at 1 pm
Just two days for us - Sat and Sun (and travel back Monday) but we fully expect to get wet and burned in that time.
If you're in the scramble for GA in Eau Rouge I hear you'll need to be up at 6 am on race day to get a decent position. My plan? Send the g/f. I'll relieve her at 1 pm
I love them. Comantary of all the support races, and highlights while there is no track action going on. Live timing and on-board cameras too. They are great.
Istanbul ticked off this year, Spa is the next one.
Just two days for us - Sat and Sun (and travel back Monday) but we fully expect to get wet and burned in that time.
If you're in the scramble for GA in Eau Rouge I hear you'll need to be up at 6 am on race day to get a decent position. My plan? Send the g/f. I'll relieve her at 1 pm
There is no GA for Eau Rouge other than a few spots where you have to peer through gaps in fences.
As for Istanbul, can I ask for full details of your trip? Where you stayed, where you watched from, what you thought, etc? A few mates and me are thinking of doing this one next year.
Soldato
I'm framing the tickets and that circuit map when I get back from the event, looks uber
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Soldato
Nice! I didn't think I'd be getting them this early tbh!
Soldato
"Buy now your tickets for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix through our website before the 12 August 2011 and you will maybe be part of the 30 lucky ones who will win a day-pass for the Friday 26, Saturday 27 or Sunday 28 to enter the Paddocks F1.
The winners will be drawn lots at the online sales’ closing and will be personally warned. "
lol gotta love the english used!
The winners will be drawn lots at the online sales’ closing and will be personally warned. "
lol gotta love the english used!
There is commentary of all support races on radio Silverstone (and over the tannoys, although those get drowned out).
Like I said, we hired one once and thought it was pointless. The large screens show you exactly what the normal tv coverage shows, with the benefit being that you are looking at the cars actually on the track. With a Kangaroo TV you are starring downwards and might as well not even be at the circuit.
Radio Silverstone doesn't quite reach over to Spa...
I love the live timing on it and everything. But if you think its pointless thats fair enough. In contrast, I loved it.
Soldato
Trouble with the giant tv screens is they don't always appear to be that gigantic, depending on where you sit. Sometimes the best GA spots aren't that close to the screens, and without binoculars they're really hard to make out with whats happening on them.
When JB lost his wheel nut (or never had it) I thought it was Lewis for about a minute before I found out it wasn't!
When JB lost his wheel nut (or never had it) I thought it was Lewis for about a minute before I found out it wasn't!
Soldato
Are you sure? I thought there were some really large spaces there.
For Istanbul have a read here and then give me a shout if you want any more detail. Good trip. http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=19132626#post19132626
Of course, but I was referring to Silverstone.
It obviously may have much more use at Spa if they offer an English commentary for Support Races.
Were you listening to commentary?
It was pretty well covered, even if you couldn't see it.
At the end of the day, I think it's easy enough to see the big screens. If you want to see more information such as the times and graphics, you can see them with binoculars or a camera with a zoom.
I personally just use the F1 iPhone app which shows you times which is handy for qualifying.
The commentary is the most important thing though, I've seen people who watch without a radio, and once the drivers start lapping back markers it's pretty difficult to follow what is actually happening if you can't hear.
I'd also add (again this is Silverstone)....
That for the £60 or so you spend on Kangaroo TV with a GA ticket, you could buy a Silver level Grandstand ticket for less now with the early bird saving.
Also if you buy now you could get Gold Grandstand level for just a tenner more. Grandstands have better TV viewing positions, so essentially its a better choice than GA and a Kangaroo tv.
That for the £60 or so you spend on Kangaroo TV with a GA ticket, you could buy a Silver level Grandstand ticket for less now with the early bird saving.
Also if you buy now you could get Gold Grandstand level for just a tenner more. Grandstands have better TV viewing positions, so essentially its a better choice than GA and a Kangaroo tv.
Soldato
Sorry to bump but i am also going Spa. My dad got a bonus from work and he surprised me yesterday!
Booked up with a travel company with 3 nights accommodation (about 70KM away from circuit) Gettijg the coach and ferry down there. All transfers from the track are handled by the company.
We got general admission and this is our first ever F1 race. I just booked a Fanvision is one device between two enough? (we will split audio with a converter)
Any tips on spa in general?
Booked up with a travel company with 3 nights accommodation (about 70KM away from circuit) Gettijg the coach and ferry down there. All transfers from the track are handled by the company.
We got general admission and this is our first ever F1 race. I just booked a Fanvision is one device between two enough? (we will split audio with a converter)
Any tips on spa in general?
Soldato
tbh we weren't too impressed by the fan vision at Silverstone, you can see replays on the big screens anyway,
I went last year and if I was to offer one solitary piece of advice it would be: do not underestimate just how much it can rain. If you're camping make sure it is fully proofed and for God's sake take plenty of clothing. When I went we were genuinely concerned the tent would take off on Sunday night - the ground was so soggy by that point and the winds were strong.
More advice:
EDIT: just realised this is an old thread so the above may not be of any relevance.
More advice:
- Layer your clothing so it is easy to add and remove as needed.
- Do not underestimate how cold you can get sitting outside not doing much (obviously doesn't apply if you plan to walk around a lot and watch things standing)
- On race day get there nice an early. It get's hugely competitive for the prime spots
EDIT: just realised this is an old thread so the above may not be of any relevance.