If you want to take pictures, here's a picture guide around the track, thanks to Mark Capilitan: www.markcapilitan.8m.com

Belgian Grand Prix Tips - Spa-Francorchamps

Travel, Accommadation

Circuit Address:

Circuit de Spa Francorchamps,
Route du Circuit, 55,
B-4970 Francorchamps,
Belgium

Tel: (087)275138      Fax: (087)275296

www.spa-francorchamps.be

Spa-Francorchamps. Bus-stop chicane. Stavelot. Blanchimont. Eau Rouge. Do I really need to go on. I will anyway. Highly regarded as the greatest race circuit in the world, Spa-Francorchamps is located high in the Ardennes region of Belgium. It's a circuit of contrasts, comprising of tight and ultra-quick corners; high and low altitude points.

As mentioned above, the circuit has some of the best known corners, from the tight hairpin of La Source, to the fast left hander of Blanchimont. And not forgeting the greatest of all, Eau Rouge - the mega-quick, sharp rising, corner of corners, that dares the brave to be brave, and punishes any mistakes with brute force - just ask Jacques Villeneuve or Ricardo Zonta!

The circuit, and area, is renowned for extremely changeable weather - it could be very cold or raining, or very hot and sunny and you can almost guarantee all of these conditions at some point in the weekend!

The nature of the circuit means that the race is usually very entertaining. In 2000, Mika Hakkinen produced one of the best overtaking maneuovers in recent times to take the lead. In 1998, F1 saw one of the worst starts in it's history, when 18 of the cars got caught up on the run down after La Source. The master of the circuit is undoubtably Michael Schumacher. He made his debut here in 1991, and won his first race here the next year. It was only fitting then, that he took win number 52 here, and overtook Alain Prost for the record number of wins in F1.

Camping around the circuit - there are numerous camping facilities around the circuit and adjacent towns; from in and around Francorchamps, to up beside the Stavelot corners. Arrive on Thursday or Friday and you shouldn't have a problem finding anywhere to stay. Hotels are another story. You'll need to book well in advance if you want a bit of comfort, and you'll probably need a car to get to the circuit from some of the hotels that are further away.

The Circuit & Places to View

The circuit is huge and takes a lot of time to walk around. The General Admission areas are fantastic if you find the right spots, and don't mind a bit of a hike!

I'll start at the first corner, La Source. It's possible to view this corner from a distance (with GA tickets), as you walk in from the Francorchamps entrance. Not a great spot though.

For Eau Rouge, the best spot to view from is the Gold 2 stand. For GA, a great spot is from the bottom of the corner, just as you leave the merchandising area. You get to see the cars as they go up into Eau Rouge, and over Radillon. The view is purely of Eau Rouge, but there is a screen you can view too. There is more GA areas at the top of Radillon, where you can see the cars come out of La Source, go into Eau Rouge, take Radillon and go down the Kemmel straight. The kemmel straight isn't a bad spot either, but the cars go by very quickly.

One of the best spots for viewing and photography is around the Rivage haipin. Whether at the breaking point, the apex or acceleration point, it's an awesome spot.

Down towards the corner just after Rivage there are some extremely high banks (not for the faint hearted!) to view from, and these give some of the best views at the circuit. You can see the cars as they exit Rivage, take the next corner (turn 9), and power towards Pouhon. And you can also see Blanchimont from a distance too.

Around the Fagnes chicane is a pretty good spot. But probably better is to go to the outside of Stavelot. There are some good high banks here with very low fencing. This is another great spot for photography.

It's worth seeing the cars taking Blanchimont, although because of the speed, photos can be tricky...best get creative here!

The Bus-stop is a must for at least one session during the weekend. A good high vantage point, superb for photos, and tricky for the drivers in the wet, and the pit entrance too.

In summing up, of all the circuits I have been to for races - Monza, Silverstone, Indianapolis, Barcelona, Montreal - Spa for photographs is probably the best of the lot. But it does lack the cosmopolitan atmosphere and comfort of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal!!