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Spa extends F1 race deal through 2018


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#1 August

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 21:49

http://www.motorspor...al-through-2018

Good to see a classic venue staying in the calendar but I'd love if there were also 19 other tracks as great as Spa.

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#2 P123

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 21:52

It's not great anymore.



#3 scheivlak

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 21:53

It's not great anymore.

But still greater than any other track in F1.



#4 Victor

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 22:04

Still my favourite track.



#5 Sheepmachine

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 22:31

It's not great anymore.

But it's still one of the best :D

#6 Fastcake

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 22:36

That's odd. Normally we'd have rumours of return to France or the Netherlands, followed by comments by Bernie that we don't really need Spa, before the extension is inevitably signed a week before the last contracted race.



#7 LORDBYRON

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 00:02

Good to see a classic race still on the calender 



#8 Callisto

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 00:36

One of my favourite tracks

#9 garagetinkerer

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 09:10

Yes, thank you very much Mr. Eccleston!

 

@ P123

It is not the same, but it wasn't the same as it was once for sometime... and still one of the most demanding (cojones!) tracks.



#10 Jimisgod

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 09:26

Does Spa really have a Spa nearby?

#11 paultheoctopus44

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 09:39

Thank god, i went there last year it was unbelievable, the scenery was amazing, the food was great, the town in Belgium could be rivaled with best, it was just amazing, i hope to go again  :up:  :up:



#12 DinocoBlue

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 10:01

Does Spa really have a Spa nearby?

Yes, the nearby town of Spa does have natural cold springs.

 

As for the race, good to see it staying on the calendar, although only until '18? That's hardly a long term contract extension.



#13 Drinky

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 12:46

Does Spa really have a Spa nearby?


The English word "spa" was named after the nearby Belgian town of Spa. It has been a popular resort for many centuries.

Edited by Drinky, 11 January 2015 - 12:47.


#14 Cozzie

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 12:54

Does Spa really have a Spa nearby?

yes it does have a great big spa aka 'thermen' as they're called there - on  a steep hill which  you access via a cable car. I'd heartily recommend anyone to visit the Belgian Ardennes, fantastic walks, unspoilt quaint villages and towns, wonderful views and excellent regional cuisine..  if anyone from the Belgain tourist board is reading this can I have my 20% off?



#15 Jimisgod

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 13:07

Spa is also the fictional birthplace of Poirot according to Wiki.

Does all of the road for the old, extended circuit still exist?

#16 ch103

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 13:52

It's not great anymore.

 

Why is that?  Is this the layout your prefer?

 

http://commons.wikim...yout_(1922).jpg



#17 Kobasmashi

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 14:41

Spa is also the fictional birthplace of Poirot according to Wiki.

Does all of the road for the old, extended circuit still exist?

I believe most of it does, although I'm not sure you can get all the way through to where (the modern) Stavelot corner opens up towards Blanchimont any more. The Masta Kink is definitely still there!

Edited by Kobasmashi, 11 January 2015 - 14:42.


#18 Red17

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 18:23

That's odd. Normally we'd have rumours of return to France or the Netherlands, followed by comments by Bernie that we don't really need Spa, before the extension is inevitably signed a week before the last contracted race.

 

With Luca gone he will probably troll Monza. Massive riots would ensue, but I would love to see him try. Is that Gp di Roma license still holding?



#19 Lotus53B

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 18:55

yes it does have a great big spa aka 'thermen' as they're called there - on  a steep hill which  you access via a cable car. I'd heartily recommend anyone to visit the Belgian Ardennes, fantastic walks, unspoilt quaint villages and towns, wonderful views and excellent regional cuisine..  if anyone from the Belgain tourist board is reading this can I have my 20% off?

My usual brag - I stayed at a campsite in Spa that I stayed at for the 98GP on my way to the eclipse in 99 - I drove my brother down so that he could see the circuit, to find that they had closed the public road to build the stands and were directing traffic onto the circuit at La Source, and up Eau Rouge...  My accellerator foot hit the floor so hard I probably dented it...and I got a cheer from the folk assembling the grandstand...

I was heading to Luxembourg, so after Les Combes, I followed the old track...at a slightly more sedate pace.  I followed the circuit till just past the Masta Kink, then turned back to go on the dual carriageway south...

 

And I'd concur with everything you've said - great food, great cycling, great walking, lovely scenery, genial hosts (the guy who ran the café on the campsite was a jazz saxophonist wo we sat up drinking with till the wee small hours...)



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#20 TecnoRacing

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 20:53

Why is that?  Is this the layout your prefer?

 

http://commons.wikim...yout_(1922).jpg

 

I suspect hes not talking about the current layout per se, but that all the great and good corners have been increasingly ruined by the quantity of asphalt runoff.



#21 BlinkyMcSquinty

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 20:57

It is a shame that such a great track has to suffer negotiating every few years to retain a Formula One race. But at least for now, Spa is going to be on the calender for the next few years. :clap:

 

And wow, is it ever a great track, possessing elements that challenge and satisfy any driver. La Source, a difficult and awkward tight corner leading to fast speeds. Eau Rouge, no description required, it is truly epic. Les Combes, coming just after a hard braking zone, requiring a quick right, left, then right and balance. Rivage, going on and on and on. Turn 9, even Hamilton says it challenges him every lap. Pouhon, a technical death-trap that will spin you out with any mistake. Fagnes, just like Les Combes, but much faster. Stavelot, even the name is cool. Blanchimont for the brave, and the Bus Stop, which should be renamed the "Chicane of Tears".

 

This is a bucket list track, and one day I hope to enjoy sharing a few beers with fellow fans at this track.



#22 Jamiednm

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 21:48

I went to my first F1 GP at Spa and loved it. With it being given an extension through to 2018, I hope to go again soon!



#23 P123

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Posted 11 January 2015 - 22:49

Why is that?  Is this the layout your prefer?
 
http://commons.wikim...yout_(1922).jpg


I suspect hes not talking about the current layout per se, but that all the great and good corners have been increasingly ruined by the quantity of asphalt runoff.


Yep- Spa, IMO, is almost as spoiled now as Monaco is as a challenge. Partly because the cars are maybe a bit too planted to make some corners the challenge that they were (eau Rouge), but mainly because it has been 'Tilked' with all the tarmac run-offs, massively widened exit at La Source, plus that damn awful final chicane. It needs rain.

#24 alframsey

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Posted 12 January 2015 - 02:59

Spa is my absolute favourite track!



#25 tmekt

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Posted 13 January 2015 - 00:58

Maybe I'm in the minority but I actually like the current Bus Stop.

Good to hear they extended their contract.