Trip to Spa 2016 - The Good Bits
07-15-2016, 11:08 AM
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Trip to Spa 2016 - The Good Bits
Well, as many of you know, my trip did not end well with my engine lunching itself - more here, but a lot of fun was had by all for the whole trip. Here are my highlights, and I'm sure that Sazzy, MQ and Capt A will be along soon to add comments and photos too.
Day 1 - Sunday. Having suffered the horrific Belgian Sunday afternoon traffic on most previous occasions, we left a bit earlier and had a very smooth run to Spa, making it to the hotel just in time to see Lewis Hamilton's victory.
Day 2 - Monday. A free day for us as we weren't due at the Circuit until Tuesday, so we paid a visit the the Grottes de Remouchamps, which is a series of caves along Europe's longest underground river. This included a very scenic boat ride. http://www.365.be/at...emouchamps.html
After that, it was off to the ruined Chateau Franchimont, a medieval castle with a very interesting history and great views. http://www.chateau-franchimont.be/
Day 1 - Sunday. Having suffered the horrific Belgian Sunday afternoon traffic on most previous occasions, we left a bit earlier and had a very smooth run to Spa, making it to the hotel just in time to see Lewis Hamilton's victory.
Day 2 - Monday. A free day for us as we weren't due at the Circuit until Tuesday, so we paid a visit the the Grottes de Remouchamps, which is a series of caves along Europe's longest underground river. This included a very scenic boat ride. http://www.365.be/at...emouchamps.html
After that, it was off to the ruined Chateau Franchimont, a medieval castle with a very interesting history and great views. http://www.chateau-franchimont.be/
07-15-2016, 11:09 AM
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Day 3 - Tuesday. Off to the circuit to do what we came to do. The morning was a sunny one with some clouds around but the forecast was promising rain. I found I was back in the groove pretty quickly, although my second session was a bit of a mess, as illustrated here when I first put my new GoPro to the test 
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDlu6tAkHUk[/media]
Things got a bit better later on in the morning, here's a nice clean lap, not as fast as some I've done in the past but nice and smooth nevertheless:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWZhAYPuamw[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDlu6tAkHUk[/media]
Things got a bit better later on in the morning, here's a nice clean lap, not as fast as some I've done in the past but nice and smooth nevertheless:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWZhAYPuamw[/media]
07-15-2016, 11:11 AM
#3
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I did have a good play with a 911 GT3 in the same session 
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqYbX9U1cq8[/media]
There ws some fantastic machinery there, about 8 Cayman GT4s, some proper racing Lamborghinis, loads of 911 GT3RS, the usual array of Caterhams and one very special machine indeed.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqYbX9U1cq8[/media]
There ws some fantastic machinery there, about 8 Cayman GT4s, some proper racing Lamborghinis, loads of 911 GT3RS, the usual array of Caterhams and one very special machine indeed.
07-15-2016, 11:16 AM
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The rain finally came at about 11.30am and was on and off all day after that, mixed with some warm sunshine meaning we had the challenge of a wet circuit interspersed with some very dry conditions as well, so normal Spa in other words 
Saz and Capt A enjoyed the wet circuit as the traffic was much less than in the dry, the S2000s are very much outgunned these days, especially now that the Caterhams are faster than ever.
Having said that, the vast majority of drivers of the faster cars were extremely patient and courteous. A couple were not and were ejected from the circuit within the first hour. A big
for the Bookatrack team.
In the afternoon, I found someone lurking in our garage and he asked if we were from the forum and I was extremely pleased to find out that the lurker was the one-handed legend of the Nurburgring, our very own Nabu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9C-SV2YuSI
Kostas is now an instructor for RSR and was at the circuit looking after a couple of clients from Hong Kong who were there with their day old GT4s
We chatted all things S2000 and had a fantastic dinner with him and the RSR mechanic and fellow S2000 owner Andrea.
Saz and Capt A enjoyed the wet circuit as the traffic was much less than in the dry, the S2000s are very much outgunned these days, especially now that the Caterhams are faster than ever.
Having said that, the vast majority of drivers of the faster cars were extremely patient and courteous. A couple were not and were ejected from the circuit within the first hour. A big
for the Bookatrack team.In the afternoon, I found someone lurking in our garage and he asked if we were from the forum and I was extremely pleased to find out that the lurker was the one-handed legend of the Nurburgring, our very own Nabu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9C-SV2YuSI
Kostas is now an instructor for RSR and was at the circuit looking after a couple of clients from Hong Kong who were there with their day old GT4s
We chatted all things S2000 and had a fantastic dinner with him and the RSR mechanic and fellow S2000 owner Andrea.
07-15-2016, 11:16 AM
#5
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Day 4 - Wednesday. A more overcast day with heavy rain when we got onto the circuit. I'd booked some instruction as my driving was a bit ropey on Tuesday morning and I had an interesting time learning new lines and how to make the best of the conditions.
As the morning wore on, the circuit became drier and the pace picked up once again. I was having a great time sliding the car round La Source and the Bus Stop, but at about 11am my engine failed and that was that for me.
Saz, MQ and Capt A gave me commiserations and passenger rides, in between me making calls to Green Flag, Ray and Eurotunnel. Turns out circuit use is not covered by Green Flag but fortunately Jonny of Bookatrack was able to get me a space on a lorry back to the UK and Daytona Autos.
I was able to take a few photos, and got this rather nice one of Saz:
MQ went off to take photos at Eau Rouge and Radillon and returned somewhat puffed out.
As the morning wore on, the circuit became drier and the pace picked up once again. I was having a great time sliding the car round La Source and the Bus Stop, but at about 11am my engine failed and that was that for me.
Saz, MQ and Capt A gave me commiserations and passenger rides, in between me making calls to Green Flag, Ray and Eurotunnel. Turns out circuit use is not covered by Green Flag but fortunately Jonny of Bookatrack was able to get me a space on a lorry back to the UK and Daytona Autos.
I was able to take a few photos, and got this rather nice one of Saz:
MQ went off to take photos at Eau Rouge and Radillon and returned somewhat puffed out.
07-15-2016, 11:43 AM
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Day 5 - Thursday.
A huge, huge thank you to Capt A for giving me a lift back to Blighty. A nice, easy run on the "southerly route" avoiding the hideous roadworks near Ghent, and we even made an early Tunnel crossing.
A huge, huge thank you to Capt A for giving me a lift back to Blighty. A nice, easy run on the "southerly route" avoiding the hideous roadworks near Ghent, and we even made an early Tunnel crossing.
07-15-2016, 11:55 AM
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Wasn't sure where and what to post. Glad lovegroova has taken the lead as usual.
Sazzy and I have had a wonderful time. Saz loves Spa and now I love it too. lovegroova and CaptA have been brilliant company and so kind and forbearing.
I won't need to explain about my pics as LG has done it for me.
Saz and I set off and over the QE2 bridge to meet the others near the channel tunnel. She loves her sticker. Shame we had to leave her Bermuda Blue at home.
Nearly there.
Arriving.
The beautiful catalpa trees. Thanks CaptA for the leaf to help me with ID.
It was very hot on the last leg of our journey. Saz and lovegroova both got sunburnt and it was quite oppressive on the Rad Blu terrace, downing Maes trying to cool down.
The site won't let me post too many pics at once so I'll do it in instalments.
Sazzy and I have had a wonderful time. Saz loves Spa and now I love it too. lovegroova and CaptA have been brilliant company and so kind and forbearing.
I won't need to explain about my pics as LG has done it for me.
Saz and I set off and over the QE2 bridge to meet the others near the channel tunnel. She loves her sticker. Shame we had to leave her Bermuda Blue at home.
Nearly there.
Arriving.
The beautiful catalpa trees. Thanks CaptA for the leaf to help me with ID.
It was very hot on the last leg of our journey. Saz and lovegroova both got sunburnt and it was quite oppressive on the Rad Blu terrace, downing Maes trying to cool down.
The site won't let me post too many pics at once so I'll do it in instalments.
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07-15-2016, 12:14 PM
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On our way Day 2.
The grotto was indeed very grotty. It was also a good workout. We had to scramble along slippery rock walkways and up and down contraptions like this.
En route to the castle.
I've never photographed a lizard before. Delighted to have spotted it.
Team Spa coming up from the underworld. They wouldn't let me go down in case they couldn't get me up again.
View from the castle.
Back at the hotel arrivals. Nice bit of diaper brickwork.
The grotto was indeed very grotty.
It was also a good workout. We had to scramble along slippery rock walkways and up and down contraptions like this.
En route to the castle.
I've never photographed a lizard before. Delighted to have spotted it.
Team Spa coming up from the underworld. They wouldn't let me go down in case they couldn't get me up again.
View from the castle.
Back at the hotel arrivals. Nice bit of diaper brickwork.
07-15-2016, 12:37 PM
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On our way on Day 3.
First view of Eau Rouge.
Lovely to have our own garage and loo.
Illustrious company.
Pit lane.
A very capable MX5.
Had a go at panning.
Garage view.
The Italian Lambo that was sent home. Saz came in distressed as it had broken the overtaking rules and frightened her. It turned out that eleven other drivers had complained. Well done to BookATrack for sorting the issue so quickly and decisively. Their Sarah stands no nonsense even when abused and provoked.
First view of Eau Rouge.
Lovely to have our own garage and loo.
Illustrious company.
Pit lane.
A very capable MX5.
Had a go at panning.
Garage view.
The Italian Lambo that was sent home. Saz came in distressed as it had broken the overtaking rules and frightened her. It turned out that eleven other drivers had complained. Well done to BookATrack for sorting the issue so quickly and decisively. Their Sarah stands no nonsense even when abused and provoked.
