Hi all:
Looks like I may have the opportunity to attend the Spanish GP this year, as I'm flying from Canada to Brussels on business during the preceding week. I've managed to find some reasonable priced flights from Brussels to Barcelona, so I'm seriously thinking of going for it!
Questions:
Recommended grandstands? "M" looks like a good one. Thoughts?
Hotels? Any good (cheap!) hotels close to decent nightlife, yet convenient to the train system. I know it's a bit late in the day to be trying for hotels, but maybe someone out there has some good info?
Timings - I HAVE to be out of Barcelona and back in Brussels on Sunday night, and the latest flight I could get is 1830 hrs. Assuming everything at the track goes to schedule on race day, is it reasonable that I can get to the airport and catch this flight after the race. I was thinking I could head out to the airport early on race day and stick my luggage in a locker and then, after the race, go directly from the circuit to the airport. Does this sound feasible?
Any info on these questions, and anything else that may be useful would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Ian
Help! Looking For Spanish GP Info ASAP
Started by
Ian McIlroy
, Feb 10 2003 00:01
3 replies to this topic
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#2
Garagiste
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- 3,799 posts
- Joined: January 00
Member
Posted 11 February 2003 - 13:52
Ian,
M is indeed a good one. From my post in the other active Spanish thread:
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I was in the M gransstand last year and the view is superb - you get the first two corners, then the cars go behind you and re-appear to your left. Also had a look around the g-h area, but you can't see as much of the circuit as you'd think from the map, as it's quite hilly up that end.
Enjoy, (and watch out for pick-pockets and scam merchants - there seem to be a lot of people in the circuit that aren't there to watch the race).
Oh - and get your Beers in Montmelo - six cans of Spanish Moon-Juice and two Croissants for the price of one paper cup of Skippy P!ss at the track!
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Hotels - there are any number of cheap places in the city - public transport is superb, so it makes no odds where you stay really, you can always get to Montmello with minimum fuss. I stayed at the Hotel California (yes, really) which was basic but reasonable (EUR 75ish) and friendly. Try
http://www.hotel-barcelona.com/ You can't escape the nightlife in Barcelona, so no worries there!
Timing - eewww. You should be OK with that - as I said the trains are superb Montmello to the airport s/b < 1hour. I can't say for sure though - last year I was in no hurry at all, so loitered around Montmello with several San Miguels - I can't tell you how easy it is to get on one of the first trains out after the race. Mind you - race starts @ 1pm local time, +2hrs (inc getting out of track) a really slow walk to station +1hr; gives you a hour to spare - I'm sure you'll be fine. Just cross your fingers there's no restart.
Have a good time - it's a top city.
M is indeed a good one. From my post in the other active Spanish thread:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was in the M gransstand last year and the view is superb - you get the first two corners, then the cars go behind you and re-appear to your left. Also had a look around the g-h area, but you can't see as much of the circuit as you'd think from the map, as it's quite hilly up that end.
Enjoy, (and watch out for pick-pockets and scam merchants - there seem to be a lot of people in the circuit that aren't there to watch the race).
Oh - and get your Beers in Montmelo - six cans of Spanish Moon-Juice and two Croissants for the price of one paper cup of Skippy P!ss at the track!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hotels - there are any number of cheap places in the city - public transport is superb, so it makes no odds where you stay really, you can always get to Montmello with minimum fuss. I stayed at the Hotel California (yes, really) which was basic but reasonable (EUR 75ish) and friendly. Try
http://www.hotel-barcelona.com/ You can't escape the nightlife in Barcelona, so no worries there!
Timing - eewww. You should be OK with that - as I said the trains are superb Montmello to the airport s/b < 1hour. I can't say for sure though - last year I was in no hurry at all, so loitered around Montmello with several San Miguels - I can't tell you how easy it is to get on one of the first trains out after the race. Mind you - race starts @ 1pm local time, +2hrs (inc getting out of track) a really slow walk to station +1hr; gives you a hour to spare - I'm sure you'll be fine. Just cross your fingers there's no restart.
Have a good time - it's a top city.
#3
Wheels
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- 242 posts
- Joined: May 99
Member
Posted 11 February 2003 - 23:33
Ian,
You will have a great time in Barcelona. It's a fantastic city.
Most of the night life is near or on Las Ramblas. It's the place to b in Barcelona & everyone seems to b there
You will have a great time in Barcelona. It's a fantastic city.
Most of the night life is near or on Las Ramblas. It's the place to b in Barcelona & everyone seems to b there
#4
Hack
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- 8,844 posts
- Joined: February 03
AUTOSPORT dev manager
Posted 16 February 2003 - 17:43
Originally posted by Ian McIlroy
Timings - I HAVE to be out of Barcelona and back in Brussels on Sunday night, and the latest flight I could get is 1830 hrs. Assuming everything at the track goes to schedule on race day, is it reasonable that I can get to the airport and catch this flight after the race.
You should be fine with that - the race will be at 14.00 and should be over by 15.30. If you are using the trains I'd recon on 30 mins or so hike from the circuit to the station at Montmello - obviously dependant on whereabouts you were sitting as the station is south of turn one, back in the direction of Barcelona itself. Seem to remember about a half hour journey into Barcelona central station, from which you can grab the frequent service to the airport.
You will certainly want to pick up a hotel in the city as the teams will monopolise the few near the circuit itself. If you were to splash out on a rental car then it is fairly painless, by Silverstone standards at least, getting away from the circuit and onto the motorway system for a quick blast to the airport.
Hope that helps.
