Spa in September

Guest · Jul 2, 2004

Hi all,

I am really tempted to go to the Spa track-day in September as it has been an ambition to drive there for years. A few questions for those that have been before:

(1) What is the best route to get to the continent?
(2) Roughly how much doeas it cost to get to and from?
(3) Where do you stay when over there?
(4) Will my standard 993 C2 put up with a whole day's abuse (it has only done four hour stints at Knockhill before) or should I think about upgrading brakes, brake fluid, oil, etc?

Your help would be much appreciated!

Jonathan

gaxor · Jul 2, 2004

Jonathan

Definately worth going if you can, I went in May this year.

We crossed on the Dover Calais ferry, and it costs about £100 return. A list of hotels in Spa is sent to you with your booking confirmation from Auto-Track, prices vary from about â‚¬50.00 to â‚¬150.00 depending on distance from Track and quality of hotel.

Finally, your 993 should be more than capable of a full day on the track, It is open pit lane so you can go on and off the track at will, most tended to do about 20-30 minute sessions, and then come off for a break. However, read the track day guide under the motorsport heading on the PCCB home page, there is much useful advice regarding brakes tyres etc.

GreigM · Jul 2, 2004

jonathan,

just be careful of your brakes, make sure you give them proper warm up and cool down laps....it's oh so easy to be pushed by a car behind into forgetting this. How old is your fluid? If over a year you might want to consider changing it for some race-spec fluid...more expensive, but will definitely help.

I had an incident at knockhill where we were red-flagged when my brakes were really hot, didn't get a cool-down and subsequently warped the discs. I then changed to some "Carbon Metallic 97" pads from "Performance Friction" and their resistance to fade is very impressive, but they are expensive and very dusty (so much so I now just change them in for track days when changing my wheels anyway).

You might also want to take a pressure gauge and monitor tyre pressures on a full day - I tend to not bother if it's only a few hours (although I possibly should pay more attention).

Hope you enjoy it....wish I could go.

Guest · Jul 2, 2004

Johnathan, was there in April for a day. We stayed in the Best Western in Spa which is a pleasant 3* type hotel. They have a garage but we parked on street which was fine too.
As far as I can remember, Spa is approx. 10 kms from the circuit, there is also a garage at the circuit for refuelling with the requisute 98 octane.

Enjoy it!

kitchens · Jul 2, 2004

Johnathan

I think a couple of guys from Scotland have done this trip,....The crossing is from Rosyth ,or you have to drive down to Hull . We did a visit to Spa on our last trip when we went to Nurburgring ,we did not drive on it as they where testing that day, your car will be ok but as Greig said brakes are the important thing, I am no expert it depends on how hard you drive it, but do rember the car was got to get you back home again .

Have Fun

Brian RO1

PhilRS · Jul 5, 2004

Jonathan,

I have done this trip several times (and am planning two such trips right now: one in July, and probably the same as
yours in September--Autotrack?). Nowadays, I always go via Rosyth and Superfast ferries. It is more expensive, but
much shorter on driving time (and I do find driving from here to Spa via Calais to be a real bore).

It is easy to find a hotel around Spa and being a former local I can give you advice on the 'cheap and cheeful' ones.
I do find Spa to be much easier than Knockhill on the car. Brakes and fluids must be in top condition though because
there are two massive braking points (130+ to lower 70s).

Once on the track watch out for stones when following others! When people go off at Spa, they bring plenty of rocks
back on the track (often from the cover underneath the engine). Sticky tyres and the high velocities (130mph+ with a 993)
of the car in front of you in fast curves (when this rocks roll from the cover onto the track) will quickly translate into a
cracked windshield (2 so far for me!) and stones chips.

Are you going to Knockhill this Saturday?

Phil.

chfs911 · Jul 5, 2004

I'll be going too hopefully :O) My wife says we can do Spa, The Ring and Hokenheim on the way to Monte Carlo. Hurrah that hypnosis course was well worth the money ;O)

Phil, I am interested on the Hotels around Spa and the others too if you have details? Just need someone to buy my 3.2 and I will book up via Rosyth.

Charles

kitchens · Jul 5, 2004

I will be going to KH but not to drive . Ian is on holiday and has asked for assistance to run the day ... so see you all there

Brian RO1

Guest · Jul 6, 2004

Thanks for all your posts, guys. This is great info and has wetted my apetite to go in September.

I did wonder about brakes, and am not surprised that they actaully do better at Spa because there is more cooling between corners. I think I'll change fluid and pads anyway just so I don't have to think about it.

Yes, I'm thinking about the Autotrack day. I do prefer open pit-lane even if it means that you are looking for super-fast guys coming up behind.

Haven't yet got a pass but have started negotiations. I have fitted her Elise with a new Janspeed exhaust this weekend that has earned me a few brownie points so I am optimistic [

]

<thick mode on> What happening Staurday at KH? <thick mode off>

Jonathan