CarolK

Don't know what kind of plans ya'll have made but. . .First off, if you don't have hotel reservations you may find yourselves staying close to Brussels! Are you absolutely dead-set on F1 at Spa in lieu of FIA-GT or LMS? Having been the past couple years to the 24H Spa (FIA-GT)that's the way to enjoy the Spa Francorchamp circuit to the fullest. We've been to the F1 races at Spa at least six times and of those the majority have been in the stands at Pouhon (bronze on the circuit map). There's a large screen TV directly across fom the stands and the stands even had their own decent porti-potties instead of using the woods. Here's the link to tickets and more information http://www.spagrandprix.com -> go to the link on the left for GPF1 Ticket Spa GP (that's where we bought our tickets) - tickets are 10% discount until 31 January. There's alot of general admission areas but you best be there very early if you want to get a spot with good viewing. There's also good GA viewing if you get on the hill above the pathway by the new chicane.

If you are flying into Brussels, the drive to the race is very easy and takes approximately 1.5 hours. We've gone two different ways and much prefer E40 to Liege, becomes E42 and take N62 exit 11 to Stavelot/Malmedy and into Stavelot. Depends on your tickets as to where you end up parking....or if early enough you can park along the road that takes you to the entrance by the karting area. As I recall we paid something like 15€/day parking and took the shuttle bus to that location but..found it faster to walk back to the farmer's field where there's parking and the shuttle.

We've stayed in Maastricht (Netherlands), Luxembourg City (Luxembourg) and Bastogne (less than an hour south of the circuit off E25 and N4). The Best Western Melba in a great place in Bastogne but I'm sure you will find it full (we'd make reservations a year in advance - this is quite common in Europe with races). Another fantastic place to stay and close is in Trois-Ponts (about a 10 minute or less drive into Stavelot) but the place where we stay has a minimun night stay and the price is very high during F1 races. Another place to look to stay is in Aachen which is NE of the circuit, but again good luck. After the races on Sunday night the best place to stay is the Sheraton at the Brussels airport - turn your rental car in, go into the terminal, walk to end of departure/ticketing area and out the door and voila you are at the hotel!

In Stavelot there are two grocery stores, the first one just after the roundabout on the right is the place to buy goodies to take to the race. Word of caution, it's not open until 0900 on Sunday and you best be at the track by then and it's not open real late on Saturday.

If you are interested in considering something other than a 1.5 hour F1 race....that's another story in itself! The most fantastic way to enjoy the Spa circuit is the 24H Spa FIA-GT race! I'd be more than glad to share info about the sportcar races - our "hotel" room so to speak on Saturday night during the 24H is the covered grandstand across from the old F1 pits and what a view and the cost for the weekend was 60€ - we were everywhere on the circuit (including the new F1 stands directly across from the pits). Awesome fireworks display at 2330, kart track is open to the public (also has restaurant/bar), wx permitting hot air balloon rides starting about 1900, open paddock, some open garages, etc.......cool summer morning, just about sunrise, watching and hearing the cars go up Eau Rouge is something you never forget.

Whatever you do, have a great time!

Carol

ddg=shinebox racing

from the circus!

jbchinoca

Spinners and a boom box.

520

Thanks!

TGK

I didn't say they weren't functional....The fake bbs makes the whole car look cheap

CarolK

You're welcome . . . enjoy.