[Apr 1, 2020] Spa Francorchamps - £319.00 (Belgium)

[MightyCondor]

Which is good at least on here. WhatsApp groups tell a different story.

Trouble is getting people to commit to a single idea. If trying to incorporate a track day then Spa probably wins, but if not then I've heard numerous options floating around ranging from driving to the Ring, staying domestic and doing NC500, Wales, or going to even further flung Euro destinations. These will all have different levels of appeal to different people, and some are probably non starters, but if any one idea generates interest then it's worth considering further.

 

[MightyCondor]

Also, how many people do you want? Big convoys create more logistical issues. Biggest I've ever done was 7, and even keeping that together was a struggle. If the numbers get big then it's better to accept that it will split into smaller groups and all meet at the next main destination.

 

[Nas80]

Also, how many people do you want? Big convoys create more logistical issues. Biggest I've ever done was 7, and even keeping that together was a struggle. If the numbers get big then it's better to accept that it will split into smaller groups and all meet at the next main destination.

I've solved this by buying walkie talkies

 

[MightyCondor]

I've solved this by buying walkie talkies

They're essential. Even then people drive at different paces and want to stop at different times

 

[Satoshi-FD3]

I'd personally be just as happy doing Spa as a track in Portugal or Spain. I assume we could actually get a ferry down to say the South of France, Spain or Portugal and construct a scenic drive to the circuit you mention? The mountains in Portgual and Southern Spain are great to drive through as well.

Yes there are some lovely roads to be experienced on route... Would just need everyone to have sufficient cooling modifications.

 

[JoeLanger]

I'm not really bothered on venue, but would prefer it to not be the ring. spa sounds cool, But I'm more interested in a piss up

 

[Tangelos]

I’ve always wanted to go to the ring, but it seems like many people have been and it’s not as popular so I may do that on my own on a long weekend. I’m always in for a domestic road trip, I love Wales! Not feeling the spa, it’s expensive (to me) and I’ve never been on a track before so I wouldn't even be able to push my car properly. +1 on the walkie talkies, you could get them cheap on eBay!

 

[Tangelos]

oops double post

 

[cib24]

Hello all,

Javelin has a Spa-Francorchamps track day on 1st April for £319.

Spa Francorchamps - 1st April

Layout : Grand Prix Circuit (4.352 miles) Format : Open Pit Lane Noise : 103dba Drive By measured 15m from centre of the track Overtaking : Left Hand Side ONLY on Straights Available to book on the da

www.javelintrackdays.co.uk

If we have enough interest the idea would be to travel on 31st March and return on 2nd April, giving us 2 nights in accommodation near the circuit.

A return journey on the Euro Tunnel subject to departure times is about £140.

If we have a few of us we could rent a villa or a chalet with for example 4-5 bedrooms and 6-7 beds, at a total cost of c.£600-750 split among the lot of us. Note, this is a similar cost to staying in a nearby hotel and renting 4-6 hotel rooms.

Example villa

So, let's say we ended up with 6 people committed to going to Spa-Francorchamps for 3 days and 2 nights. I have estimated fuel from London and back at 16 mpg over 900 miles (700 miles there and back and up to 200 miles of track day and other driving, at a cost of £1.40/litre), and food and drink costs per head of £50 per day.

Track day: £319
Euro Tunnel: £140
Accomodation: £100-125 per head
Fuel: £360
Food and drink: £150
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Total per person: £1,069 - £1,094

What do we think? Does the trip make enough sense for people on here?

Could we actually get 5-8 of us willing to commit to something like this?

 

[MightyCondor]

Bucket list track for me, so yeah I would commit

 

[Sturneyrx7]

Costings look good and well considered, this would be doable for me, but I can’t do this date due to work commitments

 

[4packet]

We might be giving Spa a miss this year. Going to do Brands GP for the first time instead. Also got Silverstone GP this month and a Circuit Days trip to the 'ring booked so far. If Opentrack host Bilster Berg , then Spa could be back on, as could Zandvoort.

If it helps, we normally return from Spa straight from the track (I'm a contractor!). Normally get back to the Midlands around midnight. That would allow you to combine the trip with the weekend for the same time off. We often stay at Acqua Rossa which has a good restaurant/bar.

Oh and last tip, whist you can make good progress on the journey there and back, do pay attention (use Waze or similar) to the speed cameras. Most of us have had fines in the post this year, which never used to happen.

 

[JoeLanger]

It's against the law in France to have speed camera detection devices, so apps like Google and waze won't show you them.

 

[MightyCondor]

It's against the law in France to have speed camera detection devices, so apps like Google and waze won't show you them.

In theory, but in practice Waze is still pretty good. The speed cameras still get flagged using slightly vague terminology.

 

[4packet]

As above. It will warn you of an enforcement zone rather than the specific location, so it is technically not a camera detector. Sometimes the warnings come up as police. Many of the cameras were vandalised in 2018 by one of the political groups, so think I was a bit casual last year.

 

[cib24]

Alright, I think I'm going to lock and close this thread for the year. We have more momentum with the Welsh trip than getting enough people to do a trip to Spa. No worries, we will try to get something well planned for 2021 in Europe if there is enough demand.

 

[cib24]

Cancelled. Maybe next year....