9 replies to this topic

[33 route d'orleans]

As I intend to go to Brussels for a week end, I wonder if there are some racing places to see, like museums, galleries, bookstores, and so on ?

[Stephen W]

The Brussels GP was held out by the Atomium on the outskirts.

It isn't that far to Spa-Francorchamps the best GP circuit in the world.

So there are two suggestions!

[Peter Morley]

If you are near the Atomium (next to the Heysel stadium/exhibition complex) that is where the GP was held - I think there are some photos on the forum showing you various parts of the circuit (but it is pretty much just a major crossroads, no real remains.

If you go to Cinquantenaire (park near Schuman where the EU is located) there is Autoworld car museum and Babouin's model shop - worth seeing (and easy to get to if you're in Brussels since it is on the metro line).
http://www.autoworld.be/

Paul Grant's showroom, near Woluwe shopping center, is worth a visit (again near a metro station), always some interesting classic cars there - but he had a fire sometime ago and I'm not sure if they are open again (also I think they only open Saturday morning)
http://www.vdvgrant.be/

Nowhere is far away in Belgium, so Zolder, Spa & Chimay are all a short drive away, but apart from the model shop near Spa, and the race car museum at Stavelot (well worth visiting) there isn't much to see unless there is an event on.

Swater's Garage Francorchamps has a long Ferrari history and some nice cars in their collection but I'm not sure what is visible, or what is still there since the garage was sold to Ferrari UK (and is apparently becoming a Maserati garage rather than Ferrari).
The garage is located on the E40 motorway just inside the ring road near Zaventem airport.

There are a lot of collections in Belgium, but most collectors keep a low profile so there isn't much on view. Books have VAT added (unlike the UK?) so they are relatively expensive and there aren't any specialist bookshops in Brussels.

So if you're confined to Brussels visit Autoworld (if you're gagging for a British drink there are half a dozen (Irish) bars nearby around rue Archimede), and spend the rest of the time doing the tourist thing of eating and drinking well (and all day & night) around the Grande Place (& rue des Petits Bouchers).

The Toy museum while not necessarily being a motoring thing usually appeals to like minded people, and is a good place to keep out of the rain!
http://www.museedujouet.be

There is then the flea market at Place du Jeu du Balles, and all sorts of antique/tatt shops around there (rue Haute & rue Blaes) and the more upmarket antique market in Place du Sablon, which are popular weekend visits.

Oh and the comic strip museum................

[Antoine Pilette]

Apparently Garage Francorchamps doesn't exist anymore what I've read on FerrariChat and the buidling as been sold
I remember hearing a year or two ago that Swaters was thinking about keeping his office and archives in the basement
I might have more infos in a week about that.

I agree about what to do in Brussels but there is also le Bois de la Cambre, big public park, where there as been a car race just after the War althought it might be much more a special place for locals where, apparently, they all have practised their driving-skills in their youth.
Do you see what I mean Peter?

Just a warning about la rue des Petits Bouchers restaurants, it's a tourist "trap" but maybe Peter has a particular restaurant in mind he could recommend you.
On the Grand' Place, you have le Cygne but it's expensive or the pricey les Armes de Bruxelles nearby too.

[RS2000]

In the 80s the Winston Churchill (?) restaurant/ bar (south of city centre) was a meeting place for motorsports people. Jean-Pierre Gaban ran rally 911s for Marc Duez etc. from his Porsche dealership in Brussels. The main Brussels Ford dealership wasn't motorsports-orientated then.

[33 route d'orleans]

My poor knowledge of english language prevents me to thank you, Stephen, RS, and specially Peter and Antoine, as much as I would have done it, as this sentence indicates
However I'll spend a nice week end in Brussels ans I thank you again.

[Peter Morley]

Originally posted by Antoine Pilette

I agree about what to do in Brussels but there is also le Bois de la Cambre, big public park, where there as been a car race just after the War althought it might be much more a special place for locals where, apparently, they all have practised their driving-skills in their youth.
Do you see what I mean Peter?

Just a warning about la rue des Petits Bouchers restaurants, it's a tourist "trap" but maybe Peter has a particular restaurant in mind he could recommend you.
On the Grand' Place, you have le Cygne but it's expensive or the pricey les Armes de Bruxelles nearby too.

Antoine I know exactly what you mean about Bois de la Cambre - but I always get lost when I am in it!!
Living on the Tervuren side of town means my favourite 'track' is the Ch. de Tervuren where it twists through the forest!!

I don't think any of the Petits Bouchers restaurants are particularly special (avoid Chez Leon of course - overrated) but it is the atmosphere and stalls in the street that should be seen.
(e.g. I only go to the Kebab/Pitta shops around there!).

The Greek restaurant on the Grand Place (El Greco?) is great and incredibly reasonable price.

And in that area there are a few bars to visit - the one down a passageway near the Bourse that brews its own Gueze (or is it Lambic?) is great and the beer tastes harmless, but when you stand up your legs have stopped working - this might explain why I can't remember the name of the place! - is it La Becasse???

There used to be a bar (motoring themed behind Woluwe shopping center) where all the car dealers met for lunch one day (Tuesday?) but the bar has closed I'm not sure if they still meet up but somewhere else.

[Antoine Pilette]

Yes, I know the Tervuren "fast road" ;) The Bois de la Cambre let you do "laps" and is a one-way road... just be careful not landing in the trees!

For pitakebab, I recommend Yasmina in the "pita street"

I see wich place you are talking about. The racing club Ecurie Azur had their meetings there after moving from the Churchill, mentionned by RS2000. They then moved to... an Auderghem cafe-bistro when the one at Wolume closed.

I'm not a big beer drinker but the name sounds familiar. As you, I don't really remember the names but I would have been happy to be a TNFer's guide in Brussels if I still lived there!

(I've discovered the best indian cooking restaurant in Brussels last year, PM me for the address!)

[Arjan de Roos]

Originally posted by Stephen W
The Brussels GP was held out by the Atomium on the outskirts.

It isn't that far to Spa-Francorchamps the best GP circuit in the world.

So there are two suggestions!

Indeed if you like a bit of path finding check out these maps on this magnificent map and have a look to find the old GP tracks (indeed more than one):

http://www.silhouet....s/brussels.html

Have fun!

[Antoine Pilette]

It's the 1946 track on the website (thanks!) for Le Bois de la Cambre.