| Author |
Message |
Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member
Username: Miami348ts
Post Number: 1929
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 9:33 am: | |
enjoy Tom ! |
Tom Antal (Intenso)
Junior Member
Username: Intenso
Post Number: 80
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 9:29 am: | |
Thanks one more time for everyone's help. I secured tickets through gpticketshop.com (not a lot of seats to choose from at this point) and they are delivering them to my hotel in Barcelona. I can't wait to experience the thrill of an F-1 race in person! Tom |
Jack (Gilles27)
Junior Member
Username: Gilles27
Post Number: 119
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 4:41 pm: | |
Another thing--I don't know about European races, but when we go to Montreal, we have resorted to getting tickets through our hotel concierge. I have grown extremely tired of the way they handle the ticketing up there, especially since Villeneuve increased the demand. They have messed up my order every which way, and as a result, we have been forced to get better seats at a small premium. That's just my rant, though. "Bird in hand" is always a comforting feeling, too. |
Tom Antal (Intenso)
Junior Member
Username: Intenso
Post Number: 78
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 9:05 am: | |
Thank you everyone for all this great information. I will find out today if my trip is a 100% go ( just found out the clients product might not be available that week for the introduction), then will pull the trigger on the tickets. There is a site called www.gpticketshop.com out of Austria that looks like they still have tickets in the upper level of Grandstand D and E. D is directly across from the pits and E is down near the first turn. Not sure which one might be better. I'll probably call them to see if they have anything else, even at a premium. Based on this great info I think I will leave all my serious camera lenses at home and just take the F5 with wide and tele-zooms. I'll just concentrate on soaking up the experience. I've been to Barcelona a couple times before, it's a beautiful city with wonderful people. Thanks again, Tom |
ross koller (Ross)
New member
Username: Ross
Post Number: 35
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 4:36 am: | |
tried to find you some tel numbers for barcelona tickets but haven't yet. try roaming around the net. a place to start would be www.planet-f1.com
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Jack (Gilles27)
Junior Member
Username: Gilles27
Post Number: 110
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 3:19 pm: | |
Tom,
I've been to a lot of different grands prix, and other races as well. I have also been a photography enthusiast for 25 years. My advice to you would be to focus your time on enjoying yourself at the track, taking in the sights and sounds. Let photography be secondary, and like Martin said, go light with the camera gear. You will probably do a lot of walking, and won't get the great photo ops you might at other events. Use a light bag, and all you should need is a zoom/telephoto lens and perhaps a wide angle. Have fun--I know you'll be hooked after this--and then figure out which races are next! |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 793
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 1:37 pm: | |
I have been to several F1 races including Montreal and Indy. The bast seats are at the apex of a curve, not on the straightaway . On the straights the cars go by so fast its just a blur. If you are willing to spend around $4500.00 the Paddock passes are worth it. You can get them directly from FIA . Or if you own a Ferrari you can order a package at www.owners.ferrari.com that includes times in the Ferrari pits. Its a once in a lifetime event to get in the pits. |
ross koller (Ross)
New member
Username: Ross
Post Number: 34
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 11:18 am: | |
have been to the barcelona a couple times. i must say that as far as f1 races go it is not that exciting. hard circuit to pass on and so ends up being a little processional and places get swapped with pit strategy rather than on the road. as far as seat are concerned, the worst place to be for viewing anything other than the start, and the champagne, is that pit straight. better places are at the end of the pit straight, and then in the back curves. you can move around some during practice and during the race, but not as much as the states. one of the better, and cheaper, areas to view from is the big right hander in the back that kind of loops around like a lightbulb. there ia hill behind it and you can just set up your lawn chair and watch. the temps will be hot and there is zero shade so prepare accordingly. the best way in and out of the circuit is actually to get a cabby downtown and then get him to meet you after the race in the same place as he dropped you off. f1 races are notoriously bad about entry and exit traffic and there are no races after f1 so now point sticking around. barcelona is actually very easy to get in and out, and if you arrange the cabby you'll be having a cold one on the ramblas within an hour of the checkered flag ! you can of course by tickets through specialist tour agents, most of the listing for these can be found in autosport magazine. |
Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Junior Member
Username: Wsawyer
Post Number: 91
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 9:44 am: | |
Tom:
Sounds like you are getting some great advice here. Have you thought about taking an organized tour? If you are an experienced European traveller it might make sense to go it alone, otherwise a tour might make sense. I went to Le Mans in '98 and we rented a motorhome in Paris and drove down, but I was with two Brits who are fluent in both the French language and their idiosyncratic ways. Alone it might have been much more difficult. In Paris I found that if I stayed in the tourist areas I was fine, but if I strayed out of the normal tourist traps the French people (many of who speak fluent English) enjoyed torturing me. Actually, I don't blame them, I was in their country, after all.
I envy your trip. I've been to over two dozen Grand Prix in North America (Watkins Glen, Mosport, Detroit) but never in Europe. Before you ask, I never was a bog rat at the Glen. The silliest thing I ever did was walk behind Lord Hesketh in the garage area singing "Oh Lord, Won't You Buy Me A Mercedes Benz?" He graciously declined. |
Tim Hogan (Tojo)
New member
Username: Tojo
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 8:45 am: | |
Hi Tom, I've had the pleasure of going to every Melboune GP, an Adelaide GP and went to Malaysia in 2000 when Shuey won the world championship, so here's my advice:
Every GP is organised differently by the host city, so it is best to do some real thorough research before you go.
In Melbourne we buy a general admission every time which allows us to walk around almost everwhere except the pits and corporate areas. In Malaysia we bought a grandstand pass and it only allowed us into that area of the track and you could hardly go anywhere else, though that particular seat was one of the best we've had.
As for buying the tickets I would go there, ask the local fans what they think is the best, look at the circut layout and whether there are hills or buildings that may block your view and then buy the ticket there. The Spanish are big motorsport fans though, so find out how much has been sold out before you go.
Getting into the pits can be hard. In Melbourne you can only get near there on satuday when the have a pit walk down pit straight before qualifying. Otherwise you need a media or F1 paddock pass which are really expensive, about $4000US.
We got into the F1 paddock in Malaysia because security was slack and we jumped a fence then cut through the Bennetton Garage when no one was around after the race. It's a fantastic experiance to walk around all the teams and drivers and be able to talk with them, get photos, etc.
Spain is sure to be differnt again but I hope this helps. Have fun and let us know how you get on
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Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member
Username: Miami348ts
Post Number: 1890
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 8:41 am: | |
Tom,
you can usually not enter the pits unless you have a pit pass. These are hard to come by. YOu may be able to buy one in BArcelona on the street. Likely this will only be possible on Friday practice.
As far as tickets. The straight end would be my choice. Most likely place for something to happen.
I must admit that F-1 Races are a great thrill for the first time but during the race not much is happening. You see a lot more in the TV but will never be able to get the sound and smell, which is awesome. That reminds me, get ear plugs!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
You can not walk around. At least in Monte Carlo you can not. Once you are in your area, that is it!
Go with light camera equipment. You don't want to schlepp too much with you going there! |
Tom Antal (Intenso)
Junior Member
Username: Intenso
Post Number: 77
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2002 - 8:15 am: | |
Well, it looks like I have the pleasure of going to Barcelona at the end of next week for a business trip. Just in time for the F-1 Race! I have never been to an F-1 race before so I need some advice.
1) I see that you can get tickets through the DailyF1.com Web site. Is this the best place?
2) They have some Grandstand seats still available. Up high at the start and also lower down at the end of the straight near the first turn. Any suggestions?
3) Are F-1 tracks laid out like Laguna Seca where you can wander around the infield and get some get shots? I have been a professional photographer in the past so I have equipment coming out my ***. So before I drag my 500mm to Europe I want to make sure I can utilize it. It won't do me any good if I'm stuck in the Grandstands (unless of course I have a good view of the F1 babes).
4) Is it possible to get into the Pits?
I'm truly looking forward to this so any suggestions you can toss my way would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Tom
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