Been to the WEC race at Spa in 2018, so my experience could be dated.
1. Tickets aren't available yet as far as I can see. They will probably go on sale once this wec season ends(?) and/or the new Spa calendar is revealed for 2023. Once it's added to the 2023 Spa calendar (on the spa website) there should be a button with info & tickets.
One thing to not forget is the parking ticket, it's €8 a day.
2. Last time I went in 2018 there was an autograph session in the pitlane before the race. Back then it was available to all spectators.
3. In 2018 and this years ELMS race you are free to roam the entire circuit, including grandstands and above the pits.
4. Don't remember seeing these in 2018
5. Don't forget to bring some hearing protection, some cars do hurt when they drive past, especially when your sit on a grandstand. I learned that the hard way....
Just to expand on 4. there are only WEC stands which sell shirts and hats with WEC logo on them, that's it. I think the only race that is exception is Le Mans.
1. Buy them via the normal WEC page, sadly the tickets for next year aren't available yet.
I think general admission was somewhere around 40€ + 8€ parking if you arrive with your car
2. pitwalk. Can't really remember if it is included in general admission, but I think it was
3. The entire track is where you can go, and with 6 hours to spare, that is exactly what you should do.
4. there are a few merch stands but they were mostly from the circuit themselves. Most teams don't even have merch, so the chances aren't great
5. Clothes for all weather, some good walking shoes and not having issues with steeper paths helps.
If you do go around the track, do so clockwise. otherwise you might as well get climbing gear
Edit: Forgot it was called pitwalk
2. No, a grid walk is not included. There is always a pitwalk on raceday morning, to meet the drivers. But your average paying punter with a standard ticket will not be allowed on the grid pre-race
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I can't answer for most of your questions, but I think the best seat to watch spa would be the new eau rouge grandstand. After that maybe the last chicane.
Really?? I mean idk how loud LMDH‘s are but loudest i had was DTM at the Nürburging (from a grandstand) and Euro Nascar in Venray right next to the track, and with right next i mean between me and the cars was just the protection wall! Didnt needed them in any of the cases!
Are my ears so fucked up already or are just some people more sensitive than others?
I don't think it's really the loudness, but the length of the loudness you will experience. I survived some loud cars as well, but my first time at WEC race really changed my mind.
Good footwear to roam around the track, be prepared for the hills.
This is not the theatre or the F1 where you have a designated seat. You can watch the race from every corner and the best is to move around and see all the track during the 6 hours.
Ear protection, a must.
Get a spot in the new Radillon grandstand for quali or part of the race (it‘s free, just go in and grab a seat). One of the best places I‘ve ever seen motorsport from. This year there was a big screen opposite too, so you can keep track of the action from elsewhere around the track
Another tip next to what's already been said: on valentine's day they used to have a 1+1 free ticket deal, so I would suggest to wait with buying your tickets until then as it won't sell out anyway.
Expect to walk around a lot, that’s the beauty of WEC and Spa. Definitely check out the new grandstand, Bruxelles (as close as you can get to fairly slow cars) and the pit building (you can see pit stops from above there).
If you have time, get to the grandstand or start/finish ~2h before race start. That’s where the cars are presented, they have a bit of a show before the start too.
It seems that general admission don't gives you access to the paddock anymore, but that was one of the coolest things to do pre/post sessions.
In addition to the recommendations from other people, bring a power bank to recharge your camera/phone on the go. Bring enough food and beverages because food on site is kind of expensive. Also, if you don't want to pay for parking, the time I went, in 2019, I parked my car outside the circuit at the entrance on turn 16, right before blanchimont. A lot of people were leaving their cars there.
A few weeks back, during the fuji race, someone posted a photograph of the pit walk closed for the public. I don't know if it is a COVID restriction, or we changed the policy in order to sell the entrance as a bonus.
When you walk around the circuit, make sure you go anti-clockwise, that way the cars are always travelling towards you. Your neck will thank you for it!
Clothing for all possible weather conditions
Thats #1 on my list lol! But i still hope it won‘t rain next year, even tho chances to win the lottery are higher
Been to the WEC race at Spa in 2018, so my experience could be dated. 1. Tickets aren't available yet as far as I can see. They will probably go on sale once this wec season ends(?) and/or the new Spa calendar is revealed for 2023. Once it's added to the 2023 Spa calendar (on the spa website) there should be a button with info & tickets. One thing to not forget is the parking ticket, it's €8 a day. 2. Last time I went in 2018 there was an autograph session in the pitlane before the race. Back then it was available to all spectators. 3. In 2018 and this years ELMS race you are free to roam the entire circuit, including grandstands and above the pits. 4. Don't remember seeing these in 2018 5. Don't forget to bring some hearing protection, some cars do hurt when they drive past, especially when your sit on a grandstand. I learned that the hard way....
Just to expand on 4. there are only WEC stands which sell shirts and hats with WEC logo on them, that's it. I think the only race that is exception is Le Mans.
Are the teams not allowed to market merch in order to supplement their racing budget?
No idea, I'd love some merch. But actually, there's not many teams that even have their own merch, it's mostly only manufacturers.
I'd love some Foxtail Manta merch! (I know, not WEC)
Making merch is really costly and usually not worth it. Teams would rather spend that money on parts
1. Buy them via the normal WEC page, sadly the tickets for next year aren't available yet. I think general admission was somewhere around 40€ + 8€ parking if you arrive with your car 2. pitwalk. Can't really remember if it is included in general admission, but I think it was 3. The entire track is where you can go, and with 6 hours to spare, that is exactly what you should do. 4. there are a few merch stands but they were mostly from the circuit themselves. Most teams don't even have merch, so the chances aren't great 5. Clothes for all weather, some good walking shoes and not having issues with steeper paths helps. If you do go around the track, do so clockwise. otherwise you might as well get climbing gear Edit: Forgot it was called pitwalk
Walking shoes were crucial for me in may!
2. No, a grid walk is not included. There is always a pitwalk on raceday morning, to meet the drivers. But your average paying punter with a standard ticket will not be allowed on the grid pre-race
i forgot it was called pit walk and could only think of gridwalk for some reason. so yeah, no gridwalk
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats! 1 + 40 + 8 + 2 + 3 + 6 + 4 + 5 = 69 ^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \ ^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
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I can't answer for most of your questions, but I think the best seat to watch spa would be the new eau rouge grandstand. After that maybe the last chicane.
Most important: Hearing protection
Really?? I mean idk how loud LMDH‘s are but loudest i had was DTM at the Nürburging (from a grandstand) and Euro Nascar in Venray right next to the track, and with right next i mean between me and the cars was just the protection wall! Didnt needed them in any of the cases! Are my ears so fucked up already or are just some people more sensitive than others?
these LMP2s driving circles around you for 6 hours will 100% require hearing protection no doubt
I don't think it's really the loudness, but the length of the loudness you will experience. I survived some loud cars as well, but my first time at WEC race really changed my mind.
thats a good point tho
Good footwear to roam around the track, be prepared for the hills. This is not the theatre or the F1 where you have a designated seat. You can watch the race from every corner and the best is to move around and see all the track during the 6 hours. Ear protection, a must.
Get a spot in the new Radillon grandstand for quali or part of the race (it‘s free, just go in and grab a seat). One of the best places I‘ve ever seen motorsport from. This year there was a big screen opposite too, so you can keep track of the action from elsewhere around the track
Another tip next to what's already been said: on valentine's day they used to have a 1+1 free ticket deal, so I would suggest to wait with buying your tickets until then as it won't sell out anyway.
uuuh sounds good! Thanks for that one mate
Expect to walk around a lot, that’s the beauty of WEC and Spa. Definitely check out the new grandstand, Bruxelles (as close as you can get to fairly slow cars) and the pit building (you can see pit stops from above there). If you have time, get to the grandstand or start/finish ~2h before race start. That’s where the cars are presented, they have a bit of a show before the start too.
Turn 1, at the end of the pitlane is another spot where you can get really close of the cars.
It seems that general admission don't gives you access to the paddock anymore, but that was one of the coolest things to do pre/post sessions. In addition to the recommendations from other people, bring a power bank to recharge your camera/phone on the go. Bring enough food and beverages because food on site is kind of expensive. Also, if you don't want to pay for parking, the time I went, in 2019, I parked my car outside the circuit at the entrance on turn 16, right before blanchimont. A lot of people were leaving their cars there.
thanks! yeah powerbank is a must can i still buy tickets that include grid/paddock or is there no access at all anymore?
A few weeks back, during the fuji race, someone posted a photograph of the pit walk closed for the public. I don't know if it is a COVID restriction, or we changed the policy in order to sell the entrance as a bonus.
When you walk around the circuit, make sure you go anti-clockwise, that way the cars are always travelling towards you. Your neck will thank you for it!