The Belgian Grand Prix experience

Last weekend, I went aboard with a group of mates to attend the Belgian Grand Prix at the wonderful Spa-Francorchamps circuit. We always wanted to go to this Formula One race as its picturesque – set in the Ardennes forest region of Belgium – and it was reasonably cheap to travel.

I’ve managed to persuasive two of my best friends to travel with me. Both have been following the sport with much interest this year thanks to competitive racing and the rising talent of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. Neither has been to a real Grand Prix before, so I thought it would be a nice treat to let them experience the raw speed of these racing cars at a fantastic race track at Spa.

Initially there was a slight problem when purchasing the grandstand tickets before the trip – as I wanted them to see the Grand Prix at Eau Rouge with me – but in the end, they had a better view of the race track!

We first meet up in London’s Victoria coach station on Thursday. This was also the day when the World Motor Sport Council decided the fate of McLaren over new evidence in the latest series of the spy scandal that has rocked Formula One this year. I didn’t get the news until later that day, but I managed to get constant text updates from my friends regarding the final verdict.

Travelling by coach wasn’t that stressful to be honest. Sure it was long ride but it was entertaining chatting to my friends, listening to music on my iPod and reading the latest copy of Autosport. The hours flew by as we went across the English Channel by ferry, through France and on to Holland.

After arriving at the hotel, we finally got the news on the Paris hearing. McLaren were fined $100 million and a lost of constructors’ points. Some of the people on the coach were fans of the team and weren’t pleased by the result… Yes, it did create a bad image on the sport but I certainly wouldn’t let this news affect me, as I was here with a group of good friends to enjoy some motor racing action.

We spent the first night just drinking at the local hotel bar, but after suffering the embarrassing music played there, we went down to the town square to have a few drinks. It turns out to be better value as a pint of beer was less than €2!

The next day, we went to the circuit. It was quite a long drive to Spa-Francorchamps from our hotel – in fact we had to travel across a border into Belgium! When we got nearer to the race track, there was a situation over letting vehicles onto the premises. The local Belgium police didn’t allow coaches or cars to enter the circuit’s car parks and the coach driver got frustrated by restricted access. Eventually, the police did allow us to go in and when we got off, we could hear the screaming V8 engines in the distance!

I immediately took my spot on the Eau Rouge grandstand as my other mates made their own way around the other parts of the circuit. The view from my seating position was simply spectacular. I couldn’t believe how steep Eau Rouge was in reality, as I have seen many photos and television images of this challenging corner. When I saw a Formula One car in Eau Rouge for the first time during Friday’s opening practice session – flat out and travelling over 190mph – the sound and experience was sensational!

The movement and the speed that these modern racing cars were able to go into Eau Rouge really shocked you. It was an impressive sight and I wouldn’t have any objections to remain where I was all day, just watching these cars go by…

I tried to take some photos on my digital camera but it was quite tricky, as you had to pan the camera to track the movement of the racing cars travelling around 190mph… Some of the photos were good, some a bit blurry. Nevertheless, the pictures reveal the awesome speed that these Formula One cars can do.

After the first practice session, I went down to the merchandise stands to buy some Formula One gear. There were many stands from the likes of Toyota, Red Bull Racing, Mercedes-Benz and Renault. In fact, I saw more Renaults here than anywhere else. It wasn’t surprising as the event is sponsored by ING, which is sponsoring this season’s Renault F1 team.

For the next few minutes, I went snap-happy taking lots of photographs of the Formula One cars and the lovely promotional ladies! I even brought a few items such as t-shirts and a race cap. One particular item that became very useful during the Grand Prix weekend was Kangaroo TV. I’ve heard about this mobile device before as it had revolutionised the way you experience Formula One races. With Kangaroo TV, it allows you to watch what you want to see! You can select any cameras of your choice, ride onboard a particular racing driver or just digest the split times from the timing screen – all this just by pressing a few buttons! The image quality was impressive despite the sun glare and even though you can’t control the commentary (delivered in three different languages), the television pictures were all you needed to follow the on-track action.

So when the next practice session resumed, I took my spot in the grandstand and followed the action with Kangaroo TV. It certainly helps me understand who were setting quick laps around the mighty Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

After a long first day beside the circuit, we made our way back to the hotel. Talked about the opening practice sessions with my friends over dinner and headed down to the local bars for a few drinks!

The second day was much the same as the first, but this time it was Formula One qualifying. Kangaroo TV was a really good investment (€75 for the whole weekend) as it made the qualifying hour really easy to follow. Without it, I would’ve been lost on which driver qualified where on the grid.

Qualifying day was a bit busier than usual, as more people were attending the event. But I managed to walk parts of the circuit with a mate to admire the Ardennes surroundings. Spa looks fantastic with trees everywhere and the V8 engines screaming around the leafy areas. The atmosphere was indeed special and you can’t help but notice the beautiful scenery that this track is situated in.

I must admit the qualifying session went by really quickly when you at trackside compare to watching it on television. After this, we made our way back to our hotel for dinner. At this point, I’ve heard the first bit of news that claimed the life of 1995 World Rally Champion Colin McRae. This was deeply shocking as it was out of the blue. Colin was a fantastic driver and to be taken away in this tragic circumstance was deeply depressing.

The next day was race day at Spa and I was still feeling shocked by McRae’s sudden death. I wouldn’t let this affect me as I was here to enjoy a race, but emotionally I was feeling low…

In the race, ‘Iceman’ Kimi Raikkonen dominated the Belgian Grand Prix from start to finish. Raikkonen went unchallenged throughout the 44-lap race and some would say it was a procession as he and team-mate Felipe Massa clinched the constructors’ title with a Ferrari one-two. But watching it on Kangaroo TV made all the differences. I was able to ride onboard several drivers. Watch fantastic overtaking manoeuvres in the mid-field and enjoyed the on-track action behind the two red cars. I was even there in person when Fernando Alonso edge out his McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton on the first lap!

After the Grand Prix, the organisers allow the fans to invade the race track and it was there that I appreciate the mighty Spa-Francorchamps. This is the longest race circuit on the Formula One calendar – over 4 miles – and walking the entire length of the main straight leading down to Eau Rouge took my breath away. The corner in which I was watching from all weekend was really steep when you walk it! And you can’t imagine that these Formula One cars are travelling flat-out in seventh gear without a hint of lifting off the throttle when you stand in the middle of the track…

We took a couple of photos and after that, made our way back to the hotel for one last night. Had dinner and off we went down to the bar for some more ‘refreshing’ Belgian beer!

Our trip home went smoothly despite the rain – it was only time that it rained, as the weather over the four days was gorgeous. We even had the time to stop at a chocolate factory to purchase some sweet Belgian chocolate! After a few hours on the coach and a short Channel crossing on the ferry, we arrived back at London Victoria feeling tired but in a cheerful mood. We had a wonderful time at the Belgian Grand Prix and even my friends who never been to a race before wanted to do so again! I believe the next one on the list to visit is Monte Carlo, so we better start saving me thinks!