Need advice on which F1 race to attend?

[autobonrun]

Tried posting on OT Board, but not enough traffic there. I need advice from some who have attended European F1 races. I finally got enough FF mileage to go and my wife says go enjoy. I'd like to order tickets this week. If I'm going to attend one, which should it be. I'd like one where most of the track is in view; if I'm not mistaken, most of the German GP occurs out of the seating area. I'd also like one with public access where I don't need to rent a car.

thanks for any input

[Fritz]

Hi,

I've attended the German GP at Hockenheim and I have been to a couple other tracks at non-GP times.

Hockenheim is ok. I had seats at the start of the main straight meaning the very back of the grid at the start. I could not see the pits very well but I could see the rest of the infield area as well as the cars coming out of the forest area. Overall, the experience was fantastic. The crowd was loud and fun. It was very crowded and they sit everywhere. The Germans like Americans so many pleasant experiences there. The public transportation is close enough to walk (a fair distance though, but so is parking in the big parking lots). Another advantage is that with so many flights into Frankfurt it is pretty easy to do for a long weekend trip.

The Ring is a little more difficult to get to and the seating/viewing area has a less intimate feel to it.

Silverstone is a great track and England is the heart of F1. NOT an easy track to get to. Very, very, very crowded for the race weekend. Not really anyplace close to stay. Allow several hours in and out of the track area. If you are doing one of the tour companies then this is the race because they set-up visists to F1 related shops and have a ready supply of speakers at meals.

Budapest...a PIA to get to, but it is close to Vienna which is beautiful. Monte Carlo, again, not as easy to get to but it is extraordinary. Track viewing is very limited. Also, it is very intimidating unless you are one of the super-rich.

Haven't been to Magny Cours but if they move the French GP back to Paul Ricard I would take it over Monte Carlo.

I've heard positive things about Spa and Spain. I understand at Spain there is a train stop right at the track so it is handy for public transportation as well as not being as crowded as the other tracks.

If you are young and enjoy camping, hundreds (maybe thousands) camp out at the tracks in the parking lots (big dirt/grass fields). Remember the beginning of Le Mans? It is still like that. They drink and sing into the wee hours. Just don't get between the German/Schumacher and English/McLaren fans at Silverstone.

Whichever you choose, it will be a great experience.

[Eric Coffey]

If I could only attend a single Formula One event, it would be Monaco, hands down! That is arguably the most important and glamorous race. With such a narrow street circuit, I belive it also has the most potential for action. Not to mention, 75%+ of the drivers live there, so there must be some allure to the little principality (besides the tax shelter for all their millions!)

[Randy W]

I think France, Spain and Hungary have the best potential to see more than a couple of corners at a time. F1 races now are set up with big monitors in front of most seating areas so you will not feel left out.

I've been to four of them: '83 Long Beach (last GP there, saw the winning pass by John Watson, also George Harrison walking with Jackie Stewart, had a great time - couldn't believe the symphony of noises!), '98 Hockenheim (sat in the infield carousel, good time with the German fans as well), '99 Nurburgring (hard to get to, terrible parking, sat in turn 2 - probably wouldn't go again), '00 US GP at Indy (fantastic, sat with the Tifosi for qualifying when Michael got on pole, very cool - was at turn 1 for the race, great venue). I will probably go to Canada this year and Spa next year. You will have a great time wherever you go.

Monaco is the dream for many of us, but you will need to spend a minimum of $2,000 just to see this race comfortably. To experience it in style will cost upwards of $5K per person. Still, if I ever have a huge windfall. I would go in a heartbeat.

Randy Wells

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by Randy W


Monaco is the dream for many of us, but you will need to spend a minimum of $2,000 just to see this race comfortably. To experience it in style will cost upwards of $5K per person. Still, if I ever have a huge windfall. I would go in a heartbeat.

Randy Wells [/B]

Hmmm, maybe we should take up a collection? Send Randy to Monaco camp? Of course, we'd expect him to act professionally, and post a TON of photos on his return. I'd kick in $10. Now if "only" 999 guys woud be willing to do the same? And Randy? While you're over there, it would be fine with me if you wanted to leave either of your cars in my garage. With the keys, of course.

[Randy W]

Knock it off, Paul, your car would be enough for anyone..

[Joeaksa]

GO TO MONACO!!!!!

Now that this is off my chest. I know of a person who owns an apartment on the course, and overlooks the pits, one straight and two corners. She rents places in the apartment for the entire race weekend for the cost of tickets for one day plus a bit. For all this we got full food, big screen TV to see the parts of the course we could not access , a bathroom and out of the rain just in case.
This is not for sleeping but only to watch the race. We stayed in the Nice area and took the train to Monaco.

Anyone interested, pls email me offline (joeaksa@attglobal.net) and will provide details. The place holds 15 to 20 people and a large balcony to watch the race from. I tried to go through the Monaco Motor Club for tickets and they were a PITA. We finally got tickets and were on our way to sit in the rain to watch practice when we found this woman selling seats in her place. Sold our tickets for a nice profit and went inside and had a very good weekend, especially when Shoemacher crashed... but thats another story!

Joe

[dickster]

autobonrun

i went to the french gp last year and was very impressed with the whole place (Magny Cours).

there are lots of stands and the circuit is fairly flat, without trees and obsticles, so you get a pretty good view. obviously you're never going to see the whole track but they have big screens around so you get to see other areas.

the track seemed quite narrow so not easy for overtaking (i'd love to see a bike gp there), but then nothing like monaco!!

there is a train station 5 - 10 miles away and buses take you there (but prebook them, we didn't and had some of us had to hitch a lift). they also make the roads one way after the race to get everyone out quickly!!

we stayed in paris and some of my friends travelled as above, i was lucky and got a lift on the back of a m/bike. fantastic ride down from paris, 150 miles with no traffic or speed cameras, great countryside (130mph+ all the way!!)

richard

[FA-18C]

I went to Monaco this past summer. EVeryoneis correct in stating that it is on the ludicrous side of expensive. Having said that its almost worth it... You can actually get seats kind of reasonable (4-500 bucks) but they have very limited viewing of the circuit. This, however, is of little concern since you can see so little of the course anywwhere you sit unless you go for several thousand dollars. I think the absolute best way to view would be from a yacht in the harbor, yet more money, but then again you cant take it with you. There are several events as well as the GP, and you can buy all kinds of race trash. The crowd is definitely worth the trip, that many hapless gzillionaires all dressed in ferrari red of mercedes silver colors....what a hoot. There are train stops right into Monaco that make it very accessible, but if you go that route, plan on getting there very early as the trains turn into sardene cans by mid morning. My squadron was on the Enterprise at the time and we were given free tickets so for me it was the event of a life time!

[aseem]

If you are a Ferrari fan, you should really go to Imola in San Marino or Monza. Imola is for many the real opening of the F1 season, as it is the first race in Europe. This is the home track for the Tifozi. Monza also is fun if you like Ferrari. I think maybe together with Silverstone, Monza is the hardcore F1 race to go to.

I hate Monaco. Never been there, but the races ar soooo boring.

Went to A1 Ring last year. It's way out in the boomdocks, but it is a very viewable track. FRom the Silver 1 stands on the second straight, we could see over 80% of the track, and this makes it much easier to follow the race.

This year I'm going to Monza. Was planning for Imola, but the dates didn't fit.

[Eric Coffey]

If you are looking for an all-inclusive package, you might want to check out the following site: www.gptours.com They offer some great packages with hotels and race tickets, plus cool events like factory facility tours and driver hosted parties.

[mattd]

How about Spa? I went there once, not for a race weekend, but in my opinion, it is the last great true old-school track in the F1 series. Plus, there is a FANTASTIC place to stay just outside of Spa proper, Manoir Lebiole (can't find the website anymore, but the best food and service I have ever experienced at a hotel)

Not sure of the facilities for viewing the race, etc. but it is a beautiful location, for a classic track.

Matt

[88911coupe]

OK, gotta chime in here...went to Monaco with some buddies in '91 was surprised when it actually seemed a little cheaper than Paris and some other cities we went to. However, totally off the scale in coolness...the people we ran into were obviously wealthy but not really in a show off way. Not being rich myself, I was very concerned that I would not "fit in" but that was not the case. Not to say that there aren't some shocking displays of wealth...there were...but the rare cars you'll see ALONE are worth the trip. You gotta go to the Tip Top (?)which is a big F1 bar.
I WILL be attending an F1 trip this year and hopefully will hook up with some Pelicaners...that would be totally cool.
Later,

[tchanson]

I would concur wholeheartedly with Matt's comments above.

Given your caveat that you can only attend one Euro venue, I would suggest that Spa (Belgian GP) would be the first choice.

Monaco, IMHO, is something of an anomaly. Horridly expensive, congested, terrible spectator sightlines and a usually dreadful race with no passing, even by F1 standards.

Spa Francorchamps ticket prices are quite cheap by Euro GP standards, and its truly the last circuit that hasn't been completely chicane-neutered by Bernie's FIA toadies & minions. A long fast track with great access everywhere, its Europe's Elkhart Lake.

And where else will you match Eau Rouge?

Tim

[rob911]

The best "driver's circuit" in Europe is woithout doubt Spa in Belgium.

Never been to the circuit myself yet. The first free week I get in april/may me and the 3.2 are booking a track day at Spa. Several UK companies organise tours with hotels and usuall one evening session followed by a full day on the track.

FWIW - why not use the miles to visit Le Mans? There is obviously much more racing going on, and there is access around almost all of the circuit. Best of all the whole event is much more sociable, once you've been you'll want to return every year. Plus you might get to see more of your favourite cars. Don't forget you can access the pits and talk to the teams more easily. You can even drive the circuit ? don't forget the fastest car is a rental car,

This year it will be arounf 15th/16th June.

Any truth in the rumour there might be a Porsce Carrera GT competing this year?

[MBlake]

This year Silverstone is only offering a w/end ticket instead of being able to pick just the race or qualifying or whatever. Although I have been for the last three years, I have given up for this year - toooo expensive.

It is cheaper now to fly (low-cost airline) to Spain and attend the race their than Silversone (and like someone said, no hire car required).

I think top of my list would be Spa (THE drivers track, THE corner Eau Rouge) and then Spain (nice climate, good viewing and cheap) and the one of Italy races (for the passion of the Tifosi). Monaco would only be on the list if money was no object.

[Fishcop]

Must it be Europe?

I know I'm biased but Melbourne, Australia hosts the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. You can walk to what is mostly a "street" track, there are actually hotels on the track if you'd rather. The Aussie Dollar is only worth half of the USD = twice as much money to spend!

Plus it's SUMMER over here at the moment (race is in March).

Just a thought

[autobonrun]

Wow. Monaco sounds great, but I can't afford it. A Seadoo next to a yacht would give me away.

I think I'll get tickets to Spa. The fact that it is a driver's course appeals to me. My FF mileage will only get me to Europe so Australia is out. Hungary also seemed interesting but supposedly it's sold out.

I hadn't considered LeMans but maybe I can do that in a couple years.

Spa also fits in with a couple other limitations.

1) It's well into the season, so I have time to save up.
2) I may just be able to fit it into the offpeak period for FF mileage purposes
3) It doesn't conflict with my NASCAR tickets. Ok, I admit it I have NASCAR season tickets but F1 is still number one. In the US, you have to get your speed fix as best you can.

[jluetjen]

One more benefit to picking Spa, the Nurburgring is not that far away! Take your rental car for a spin (or rather a drive!) around the track .
If you have any FF miles left over, also consider the run up to Montreal. There are lots of rooms and great restaurants in the city. The metro runs right to the track and for some reason the race always seems to have surprise. The Canadian fans are knowledgeable and they often have some entertaining support races.
Unfortunately the days are gone when you could walk up close to the pits. The last time I was there they did a pretty good job limiting access to ticket holders for that specific grandstand. Even on Friday and Saturday.

Have fun at Spa!

[turbo dave]

So far I've done the San Marino GP, Monoco twice, French GP at Magny Cours, and the late, great Phoenix GP. Phoenix was the best!- only about ten people there, the temperature never went over 110, and we could see a full 20' of track!

Monoco is the most amazing GP- you can walk right into the paddock in the evening after practise & qualifying, chat with mechanics in the bars in the evening, watching a single corner taken at surreal speeds from only about 30' away, watch the drivers cruise in borrowed Ferrari's after their qualifying sessions (at least I saw Michael Andretti do this, wasn't quite as cool as seeing one of the 'real' F1 drivers do it ). I did it as a poverty-stricken fanatic both times, sleeping on the beach in nearby France, and it was a lifetime-memorable event.

As a spectator, you can't really get that much of a sense of the event, so passing doesn't matter as much as it does on TV. What you really experience is the ambiance, the sound, the sense of mind-bending speed. For this reason I would choose an ambiance track (San Marino is fantastic) over a passing track (Magny Cours sucks-too flat and out-of-the-way). Places like San Marino are magic all weekend, going to fantastic restaurants filled with tifosi, etc. Plus, you get experiences like this: after the '89 San Marino GP, I was hanging out at the exit from the paddock area, waiting to see who I could see, just soaking it all in. Everybody was watching for limosines or Ferraris, looking for drivers, so this little guy exited on a Marlboro scooter almost completely ignored. I had Ayrton Senna look directly at me, unnoticed except by me and the old Italian guy next to me, give us a wink & a smile, and take off. The old guy and I look at each other, then around at evrybody else still anxiously searching the paddock, and we both break out laughing. Tell me anything on Speedvision compares