european f1

Nertballs

well!

just wondering has anyone ever travelled to either spa or monza from here? i'm looking into both, and they're both epic tracks, so it's coming down to overall cost really! i want to do this as cheap as possible. which is easiest to get to and has best accomodation? nothing fancy i'd practically sleep in a ditch to go to an f1! weekend trip would be mental but sunday is a must (maybe sat too!). there'll be two of us going and the budget is €500 for the two of us (2fiddy each)
Thanks!

earlyapex

Hi, I went to spa with a friend. We flew to Brussels and go the train to Franchorchamps.
I had the train tickets booked and printed out before leaving Dublin. The inspector WILL come and stub your tickets. The train was real easy to plan, the Belgian website is brilliant, we had enough time to transfer between platforms. Well signposted by numbers on your ticket. I think we had to change twice.

After we arrived in Franchorchamps, a small town, on Thursday night, we didn't know where to go. We spotted a group of Scots across the road and talked to them, they were in the same situation and we joined up. Eventually we got a taxi to a "camp site" which was a framers letting out his field which and two porto loos at the end of it. We had brought a two man tent along so were fine with that, Scots had tents too. The farmer let us stay for free! We gave him a donation before we left on Sunday though.

It was COLD at night in September, you have the farmers cows mooing waking you up, the dutch being loud keeping you awake late then being REALLY quiet leaving in the morning trying to pinch the best viewing sorts, sly bastards, but I heard them.
Surprisingly there was a free bus to the circuit at two or 3 times each morning and back again in the evening.

The circuit has a permanent loo and shower block and a host of other porta loos but some guys choose to wander into the forest. You can have a shower and shave at the circuit which is a real blessing when camping rough. So bring a towel, etc. and a warm sleeping bag!!!

Friday free practice is the best time to move around the circuit and watch from every corner, you wont get that chance of Sat. or Sunday. For those days arrive as early as you can, and dig in! Bring your own bottled water and sandwiches cause the prices there for water, waffles burger and chips are ridiculous and that is all there is available.

Was a great trip for me in 2002, maybe facilities have changed but don't know about your budget of 250 each. Aren't the general admission weekend tickets almost that much?

Nertballs

Thanks!
Is it safe to rely on a camping site like that? Or would it be better to have somethin organized first?

General admission is around 120 and flights around 80, couldn't we just bring a load of hang sangwhiches though? Is that okay on the plane?

losthorizon

You can buy lovely sandwiches outside the circuit which are fairly cheap and lovely.

Zagato

Would say Spa is definitely cheaper option than Monza, I imagine there is quite a difference in ticket prices.

Nertballs

Zagato wrote: »

Would say Spa is definitely cheaper option than Monza, I imagine there is quite a difference in ticket prices.

Surprisingly enough, Monza tickets are 30 euro cheaper!

zanardi

If you are getting weekend tickets, then it's well worth including the Thursday afternoon pitwalk. It's meant to be an hour, but can be more - great chance to get your bearings and meet a few drivers.

On your budget I guess it's General admission tickets, there some good spots at Spa where you have big screens (don't know Monza). You can have a good look around the circuit on the Friday to pick some good spots. Security is pretty lax too, so you can bring in foldup chairs, bikes etc..

As mentioned above, public transport is easy, buses from Verviers Train station are a good bet. Not much accomodation nearby, camping is best bet (but it is often cold and wet), otherwise try Liege or even Aachen for hotels.

Have a blast!

MarcusFenix

Hi Zanardi,

I'm looking at Hockenheim for this year and the weekend tickets look to be the most likely. I always wondered how you get to walk the pitlane, so you're saying it's included with the weekend tickets?