36 replies to this topic

[Disco45]

I'm thinking of "investing" my next bonus on a GP trip.
I'd be interested in hearing your valued recommendations.

I suppose it should be the best mix between the following:

-atmosphere
-vantage points
-ticket prices
-stuff to do (both at the GP and as a holiday destination)

(My last GP was Brands Hatch 1985, Paddock Hill Bend grandstand.)

[dajwalia]

Originally posted by Disco45
I'm thinking of "investing" my next bonus on a GP trip.
I'd be interested in hearing your valued recommendations.

I suppose it should be the best mix between the following:

-atmosphere
-vantage points
-ticket prices
-stuff to do (both at the GP and as a holiday destination)

(My last GP was Brands Hatch 1985, Paddock Hill Bend grandstand.)

Spa

[Alfisti]

I have been to 4 and without a doubt melbourne.

Spa and Monza are fabulous tracks but the transport is horrendous, the organisation apalling and the price of tickets outrageous.

Montreal suffers from similar problems and utterly BRUTAL bottle necks wherever you go once inside. GA access is piss porr, essentially useless.

Melbourne has fabulous support races, a tonne of on track racing, free trams to the track and general admission worth using.

[robnyc]

Originally posted by Disco45
I'm thinking of "investing" my next bonus on a GP trip.
I'd be interested in hearing your valued recommendations.

I suppose it should be the best mix between the following:

-atmosphere
-vantage points
-ticket prices
-stuff to do (both at the GP and as a holiday destination)

(My last GP was Brands Hatch 1985, Paddock Hill Bend grandstand.)

I recommend Montreal, perfect weather with lots of activities. This is one of the two biggest events of the year in Montreal together with the Jazz festival.

[F1Johnny]

Originally posted by Alfisti
I have been to 4 and without a doubt melbourne.

Spa and Monza are fabulous tracks but the transport is horrendous, the organisation apalling and the price of tickets outrageous.

Montreal suffers from similar problems and utterly BRUTAL bottle necks wherever you go once inside. GA access is piss porr, essentially useless.

Melbourne has fabulous support races, a tonne of on track racing, free trams to the track and general admission worth using.

Montreal.

It is the only one I have been to, but have been hugely impressed with access. The only problem is leaving on Sunday.

[RDM]

Silverstone

-atmosphere. 6/10
-vantage points 5/10 (general admin - grandstand even worse)
-ticket prices 2/10
-stuff to do 1/10


Montreal

-atmosphere 8/10
-vantage points 9/10 (grandstand, hairpin exit you are so close to track )
-ticket prices 6/10
-stuff to do 8/10 (Plenty to do in Montreal itself)
(found it easy to get in by pulic transport, but a nightmare to get out, and yes plenty of bottlenecks around the circuit)

Monza

-atmosphere 7/10 (2005 - it wasn't going well for the local team...)
-vantage points 8/10 (plenty of good locations for both general admin and grandstand)
-ticket prices 9/10 (cheapest I've been to)
-stuff to do 5/10 (Not far from Milan, but Milan ain't all that)

Spa this year, grandstand over-looking Eau Rouge

[robnyc]

Originally posted by F1Johnny


Montreal.

It is the only one I have been to, but have been hugely impressed with access. The only problem is leaving on Sunday.

that is really a problem. But the good thing is that you can walk to the Casino and gamble for a few hours before heading to the Subway.

[wrighty]

i'm surprised no-one's mentioned Hungary? As i understand (haven't been myself, but i'm green with envy at those who have.....Hockenheim in the turbo era is my sole claim to F1 attendance...great for viewing through those forests lol) ........ sorry, I believe the Hungaroring is set across a valley basin, so there are lots of good viewing areas, Budapest's a good city whether you're a drinker or a culture fan and, while the race isn't 'rated' like the classics are, at least there's plenty of traffic
Can't comment on access, but if i had a pot of cash and wanted to see a GP i'd be tempted to go to Hungary over Silverstone (and i live in the UK lol)

[robnyc]

Originally posted by wrighty
i'm surprised no-one's mentioned Hungary? As i understand (haven't been myself, but i'm green with envy at those who have.....Hockenheim in the turbo era is my sole claim to F1 attendance...great for viewing through those forests lol) ........ sorry, I believe the Hungaroring is set across a valley basin, so there are lots of good viewing areas, Budapest's a good city whether you're a drinker or a culture fan and, while the race isn't 'rated' like the classics are, at least there's plenty of traffic
Can't comment on access, but if i had a pot of cash and wanted to see a GP i'd be tempted to go to Hungary over Silverstone (and i live in the UK lol)

I would go to Hungary to watch a GP only for the ladies Oh, and if I was single.

I'll guess it'll never happen..

[Risil]

Originally posted by robnyc


I would go to Hungary to watch a GP only for the ladies Oh, and if I was single.

I'll guess it'll never happen..

Didn't they cut down on the old prostitution a few years ago?

[robnyc]

Originally posted by Risil


Didn't they cut down on the old prostitution a few years ago?

I wasn't going for that. I am pretty sure you can hook up with local girl without having to pay.
The only country I've been to in Europe is Spain so I do not know a whole lot about any other country really.

[Risil]

Originally posted by robnyc


I wasn't going for that. I am pretty sure you can hook up with local girl without having to pay.
The only country I've been to in Europe is Spain so I do not know a whole lot about any other country really.

Oh, well the Hungarian GP in years' past has been a bit notorious for its 'Erotik Camping', or however they spell it there. Quite recently, Bernie decided it was all a bit too much and drove the brothels out of the Hungaroring. If you can hook up for free these days, I guess that's one area in which Bernie has improved F1 spectating's cost-effectiveness for fans. So for him.

[Rosemayer]

U.S.GP for pricing and best views.

Montreal For that european flavor in North America.Lots of parties.

[COUGAR508]

If I were you, I'd opt for Spa.

[fnz]

Already got my gold3 ticket on radillon... just can't wait !

[Sakae]

Originally posted by Disco45
I'm thinking of "investing" my next bonus on a GP trip.
I'd be interested in hearing your valued recommendations.

I suppose it should be the best mix between the following:

-atmosphere
-vantage points
-ticket prices
-stuff to do (both at the GP and as a holiday destination)

(My last GP was Brands Hatch 1985, Paddock Hill Bend grandstand.)

Assuming that you don't get shafted at some street intersection of Sao Paulo, Brasil should be OK. Jump to Rio is nice escape. (I like Japan, even if Suzuka facilities were rather bad).

[MONTOYASPEED]

I have only been to 4 different ones over the past 3 seasons: Montreal, Indianapolis, Sepang and Interlagos.

For the price you won't find cheaper tickets than for the USGP, but that wouldn't be my top pick, it'd be my last!

I'd rank them like this:

1. Sepang
2. Interlagos
3. Montreal
4. Indianapolis

Don't listen to rantfisti as he complains almost about everything. The only bad things about Montreal is trying to leave the track on Sunday, it takes quite a while. Hotel prices are ridiculously expensive, but it's like that in any other city on GP weekend.

[KiwiF1]

I thought Spa first as it is such an entertaining race, and never sure what the weather will be. I would give Silverstone a miss as apart from being so expensive after watching a race at Brands Hatch it will disapoint you.

Of course for holiday destinations as well you could do this - fly out to see Melbourne, holiday in Australia, holiday in NZ (so you can see how much better it is to Oz), then fly to KL and watch Malaysian GP. This could be your holiday of a lifetime never to be repeated!!

At the end of the day, pick one, see what you think and then pick the next one.

[SpamJet]

I would only recommend montreal if you get a ticket for one of the seated areas otherwise the view for a general admission ticket is next to nothing.
Club corner at silverstone is really excellent but you end up losing the rest of the day trying to get home.

[Jackman]

Melbourne: Fabulous location, great city, lots to do away from the track, good facilities

Malaysia: Interesting location, bit of a trip from KL but very doable, great town with lots to do, usually decent racing

Bahrain: Looks like the moon, very hot, surprisingly fun town, good facilities at track but fairly uncomfortable in the heat

Imola: Truly great location, phenomenal food and drink, loads of fun in the region, need a car for transport, sadly probably no longer with us F1-wise

Barcelona: Fantastic town, track is a long way from town, decent facilities, big crowds, transport an issue

Monaco: Awesome facilities, can walk on track, closer to the action than anywhere, stay out of town and it's cheaper than you think

Nurburgring/Hockenheim: Decent facilities, need a car for transport, fun fans, little to do away from the track

Montreal: Great town, good track, decent facilities, lots to do away from the track, can be transport problems

Indianapolis: Okayish town, decentish facilities, good value for money, need a car to get to the track

Silverstone: Long way from anywhere, need a car to get to the track, nothing to do nearby, poor accomodation facilities

Magny Cours: Truly the middle of nowhere, poor facilities, need a car, expensive accomodation, amusing campsite

Hungary: Decent town, astronomical costs, track a long way from town, poor facilities

Turkey: Istanbul is amazing but the track is a distance, need car, incredible track, good facilities, reasonably priced

Spa: Middle of nowhere, little accomodation, transport poor, weather inevitably crap, some big screens but poor facilities, good beer

Monza: Decent location (Milan is fun, but it's a distance), transport by train okay but can be cramped, great facilities, incredible atmosphere, fantastic food, excellent campsite

Suzuka: Great old school vibe, tremendous track, middle of nowhere, bit expensive but not as bad as you'd think, off the calendar this year

Brazil: Haven't been there, sorry. Told that crime is a worry

[kars]

Been to 8 GP's and the best have to be:

Monaco - for atmosphere & noise
Indy - great ticket prices & views
Melbourne - all round entertainment & great city

But the standout has to be Canada. It's the only GP that I'm going back to...10 days to go!

Being a Kimi fan, I'm bringing a Finnish flag with me but I want to write something entertaining/funny on it.

I loved the 'Kimi - where's the after-party?' flag from a few races ago...but I'd like to be original.

Any ideas?

[Cplu]

Originally posted by wrighty
Can't comment on access, but if i had a pot of cash and wanted to see a GP i'd be tempted to go to Hungary over Silverstone (and i live in the UK lol)

Hungary is a right pain in the ass to get to the track.

the place is a dustbowl and the facilities at the track are very poor.

Budapest is a top town however.

[scheivlak]

/insert mind image of a certain Monty Python sketch/


Spa spa spa spa spa spa spa spa spa spa spa spa

[boost]

Been to Melb and to Malaysia.

Melb has a lot more freedom to walk around the track and get within 2-3 meters of a screaming F1 car belting by.
Support races are unsurpassed with lots to keep your interest (v8 super cars no longer race)
Melb city is 10 - 15 min tram ride away.

Malaysia on the other hand restricts your movement around a perimiter fence about 20-30 meters away from the track. But its a lovely track in a depression/valley so at some seating spots you can practically see half the track!
Support races are non existant (when i was there) Proton races??
KL is about 1 hour taxi ride from the track but good thing the taxis are cheap.

My vote is Melb or the next GP i want to go to Montreal.

[CeCe]

You can't beat the atmosphere and fun doings in the city of Montreal over a GP weekend. The race is typically exciting. The track is easy to get to via metro and you can avoid the after-race bottleneck by hanging at the track after the race for a while.

[Nasty McBastard]

melbourne is slippling a little as far as on track stuff goes.

this year there was a distinct lack of on track stuff, since there was no v8's there. basically lost 4 or 5 hours of action over the weekend.
hopefully theyll be back next year, or the organisers will have more time to organise some more support categories.

apart from that though...

theres plenty to do at the track, and the city is great as far as shopping and other holiday/touristy things.
the overall atmosphere is slipping a bit through. melbourne has alot of **** on around that time of year.
there were world swimming c-ships starting gp weekend this year, some big air show a weekend after, international comedy festival not long after, football season starting around that time... i was a little surprised to have such a lack of emphasis on the gp.
barring a few flags around the place and some shops getting into the spirit, you wouldnt have known a GP was on.
Back in the adelaide days, the entire city was gp mad.....mind you, theres not much else to do there

transportation is tops, free trams from all around the track, and except for sunday after the race (fair enough) and friday afternoon (when youve got gp people AND 'regular' people going home from work on the same trams), was pain free to use, and not crowded at all.
having said that though, they do have things like concerts etc later in the days...half designed, i think, to entice people to stay till 1800-1900 and avoid the rush hour.

ticket prices seem to be some of the dearer ones around, especially compared to indy and alot of euro ones, especially now the aussie dollar is a bit stronger.

theres some good stands, and options to buy 2 or 4 day multipass things, where you have a new grandstand each day or 2nd day, which is nice.
gen admin areas arent bad on thurs and friday, but i couldnt imagine only having a gen admin ticket on the weekend days when everyone is there.



just a word of warning through. looking at the track map, and a map of the city, youd think the track isnt that far away, and could possibly be tempted to leg it.....
its alot further than you think (its still 15ish minutes by tram), infact everything is that way in melbourne, or seemed so to me.

[gerry nassar]

Originally posted by Nasty McBastard
melbourne is slippling a little as far as on track stuff goes.

this year there was a distinct lack of on track stuff, since there was no v8's there. basically lost 4 or 5 hours of action over the weekend.
hopefully theyll be back next year, or the organisers will have more time to organise some more support categories.

V8's have been confirmed to be back for next year.

They were missed this year definitely.

[Nasty McBastard]

Originally posted by gerry nassar


V8's have been confirmed to be back for next year.

They were missed this year definitely.

excellent

the carrera cup thing was good, the f3s were good, but then all you had were utes and ARC's.
was more like a support card for the v8's rather than F1.

was just a little bit too much time between races.


mind you, the historics were good fun, although not really 'racing'.



which reminds me too, dunno what other gp's are like, but you can get right up to and into the paddocks for everything but F1. got some cool pics of the porsches, and historics etc, and randomly bumped into a few drivers while milling about.

[gerry nassar]

I'd say Jackman's insights will be most helpful seeing that he has been to almost every GP venue!

Ive only been to Melbourne (reccommend) and Spa.

Spa was great but yes be prepared for accomm far from the track and you really need a rent-a-car to get there. Also its in the middle of nowhere so there isnt much to do.

But the track itself is fantastic especially with the variable weather. And all you need to live off are frites (chips with mayo) and beer!! Waffles for desert!

Originally posted by RDM


Spa this year, grandstand over-looking Eau Rouge

Thats where I sat 2 years ago. You'll be shocked to see how steep Eu Rouge really is!! Enjoy!

[imaginesix]

After being to a handful of GPs (Mtl and Indy) I've had enough and prefer to watch from my couch, but I still recommend going at least once if you're even a bit of a fan.

Indy was frankly depressing, both times I was there. Half the town either doesn't know or doesn't care that F1 is there, the other half just want to make a buck selling you 3lb BBQ turkey drumsticks or really cheap printed shirts. Very few seats are any good (just turn 1) but they are dirt cheap. Nice washrooms too. There's a small section of the downtown core that is all gussied up with important-looking buildings in a few square km area, where people drive by and honk at each other and outside that you better keep a hand on your wallet.

Montreal was much better, though the last time I had GA access I got in a fight with someone over 1sq. ft. to stand on. Make sure to get seats, the best is at the Senna curve (turn 2) but if you can't get that then the hairpin (turn 10) is good too. Good access to the track, good nightlife, fair prices.

[Muddie]

I live in KL, and the only race I've ever attended has been Sepang. I really love it, but I haven't got anything to compare it to so...

Its quite a long way to the circuit. (Unless you come straight from the airport...) I've always got there by car (my mum's to be precise) but taxis are reliable and cheap. Some buses run to the track as well, but I don't know much about them. Some parts of the stands and surroundings were, to be honest, a little scraggy this year and it is very hot. But refreshments are cheap and plentiful.

If you sit in the 'F' stands (opposite the hairpin) you tend to see quite a lot happening - overtaking, spins, etc and its quite a lot cheaper than the Mall seating. On a really tight budget, you can sit on the grass hillsides, but I wouldn't recommend it. Its really really hot and if it rains it'll be pretty damn unpleasant. The support races are usually a bit rubbish, in my opinion, but with the introduction of the Asian GP2 series, that might be set to change.

As a tourist destination, I really love Malaysia. I used to come here for Christmas holidays before I moved to live here five years ago. KL has lots to do and see and lots of nightlife in the centre of town too. And the food is awesome - try some banana leaf curry restaurants. With Air Asia, you can also get very cheap flights to islands, such as Penang, Langkawi and Pangkor (all great beach holidays - especially if you dive or would like to learn) or even Phuket (Thailand).

[former champ]

definetly recommend Melbourne. Been many a time, every year since 1999 (excluding 04) and it is awesome. Granted, Ive never been to another GP but hoping to sometime very soon, one in Europe is definetly on the cards. As been said, the on track acton with the V8's is sensational and the atmosphere, nightlife and vibe of the town that weekend is great.

[lustigson]

I've been to three races so far:

Belgium (1995)
Good atmosphere and a superb track. There's not a whole lot to do, though, but with the Sunday-only ticket I had, that wasn't much of a problem. I sat along Kemmel straight, which gives you quite a long time for viewing the cars (from Raidillion to Les Combes). However, since there's only 45-ish laps in the race, and no victory lap, you still only see the cars so many times.

Imola (1999)
Fan-tas-tic atmosphere in Ferrari's back yard. I stayed in Bologna, which is some 40 km away. Even with a hire car and on the Sunday, that wasn't too much of a problem. Parking around the circuit is relatively easy if you pick a spot on farmers' land. I paid as little as 10,000 Lire in 1999 for the entire day. Sadly, Imola isn't on the calendar this year.

Indianapolis (2002)
Good atmosphere and of course a terrific location, though the F1 track isn't all that interesting. I spent as much as four days on the track itself, with the historics' paddock et al open for the public from Thursday. I had seats in the H grandstand, just before the first corner of the F1 track. Recommended for good viewing, because you can see the cars from halfway down the straight, through corners 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 AND 6. I'm planning on going there again next year.

[glorius&victorius]

I've been to Hockenheim (when Montoya won with Williams). I have to say everything was very very well organized.
- though i do drink beer, it was good that you couldnt carry beer inside the grandstand areas (will explain you later)
- with a regular GP weekend pass I had access to my own grandstand, and could walk around the circuit and watch the cars. Plus I was able to enter the team merchandising area as many times as possible.
- the food and beverages stands were well organized, clean and friendly
- Since Schumacher was driving, the place was completely RED, and amazing to see his crazy (meant in a nice way) followers
- we stayed at a camping nearby, and being Montoya fans we drove in with a Colombian flag (one of my friends is Colombian) and we parked in the middle of all RED. It was a bit scary in the beginning, but everybody was friendly and came over for a chat. Well this was thursday evening, and friday moring and saturday. After the race, nobody said anything to us
- the Schumacher fans at night went crazy with their tuned Opel Manta's and technomusic and fireworks, the whoole night long!
- I sat at the spitzkhere, that hairpin and was enjoying seeing how Schumacher really braked the latest of all and was on the power the earliest.
- plus everytime he came by there was this roar in the grandstand.

But all in all it was a great experience. I am not so sure about now, that Schumi is retired. It must be a different atmosphere now. But nonetheless the organisation was superb.

---

Next year I went to Spa. Complete disaster! Ill organised, it was rainy as well, and to walk around I was walking in mud, slippery, dirty.
- fans were carrying beer crates everywhere. People got drunk and louder than the cars. Really stupid behaviour.
- We went once to the teams merchandising area and once we went in once and later wanted to go back in, we were held, as we were not allowed to enter twice. Real shame, and I think it was against what the ticket said.
- On saturday, we looked for ticket buyers outside, sold them and drove back to Amsterdam.
- I watch the race on TV the next day and enjoyed it much more.
- I was sitting opposite of bustop/pitlane entry. Bad spot.

[F1Fanatic.co.uk]

Of the ones I've been to I would recommend Silverstone and Spa highest.

[Disco45]

Thanks for your input, everyone. Much appreciated.

[gerry nassar]

Originally posted by Nasty McBastard


excellent

the carrera cup thing was good, the f3s were good, but then all you had were utes and ARC's.
was more like a support card for the v8's rather than F1.

was just a little bit too much time between races.


mind you, the historics were good fun, although not really 'racing'.



which reminds me too, dunno what other gp's are like, but you can get right up to and into the paddocks for everything but F1. got some cool pics of the porsches, and historics etc, and randomly bumped into a few drivers while milling about.

Thats what is good about the supports you can get up close!

Bar not having GP2 races - it seems that Melbourne has the best support race schedule of any of the GP's.

Imagine having F1, V8's, GP2 and Porches in the same weekend. one can dream!!