(From SpeedTV) Spa-Francorchamps fell more than 10,000 tickets short of its spectator target for the recent Belgian Grand Prix. Only 52,500 spectators attended last Sunday's race, after the organizers had targeted the figure of 65,000 in order to "achieve a balanced financial position." Crowds well above 100,000 were regularly recorded early last decade. According to the AFP news agency in a French language report, the organizers are concerned about seeing the event's local government funding reduced when the current contract expires in 2012. "It is necessary to reduce the impact of this event on the finances of the Walloon region," admitted local economy minister Jean-Claude Marcourt. Added budget minister Andre Antoine: "It doesn't mean we intend to end the contract. But at the time of negotiation, it (the finances) will be borne in mind." It was reported in August that Spa is under threat from potential rival hosts who can offer much higher annual promotional fees to Formula One. One solution known to be under consideration for Spa-Francorchamps is an annual race-alternating scheme with another European circuit. "We are playing with the idea. That is the current situation, even if we are not quite at that stage," Spa president Etienne Davignon told hln.be. The actual financial figures for the 2010 event will only be known in October, and Spa official Andre Maes is not jumping to any conclusions. "Obviously the horrible weather all weekend was little incentive for people to come," he said.
As i posted last week, i for one will not return until its improved. I was there for 4 days watching the F1, and the facilities were total crap. Nothing has moved on since the 80s IMO. Yes the track and the racing was great of course, but the facilities for the paying public....crap. Porta loos, crappy muddy banks to spectate from, clueless staff members, ect, ect.
It is nice to see an honest review of a racetrack/race by somebody who isn't just a red glasses wearing fanboy. Thanks. As for Spa: They always had financial troubles with this race, which was (along with the tobacco issues) on and off in the past. If they alternate every other year, that'd be good enough for me.
I've heard similar complaints from others who visited, - fantastic track, no interest in attending a second time. Sad, improved facilities are an easy fix.
If you had 10,000 unsold seats,I would say that your ticket prices were too high ! F1 ticket prices are way too high.One problem seems to be that big companies are handing out way too many free tickets to people that aren't even F1 fans.Did you notice all the 18 y/o's in the background of the Paddock filming with DC,Brundle and EJ over the weekend? These are $6000 tickets,I doubt they paid for,and they were more interested in getting on TV,more then F1. To me a Paddock Pass would be a life dream (that i will live someday) to these people its just another party with colorful cars.
Problem is that those 10,000 would have to be sold at current prices to meet the target revenue. You can't cut prices unless you can increase the volume as well. I get the feeling that those who have decided to avoid Spa wouldn't be lured back by lower prices.
They can more than make up for the ticket prices in all the other stuff that they sell once you're there. But yeah if it's really as described then it'd probably be tough to bring back the fans. The ticket price is one of the cheaper things about an event like that unless you live in the immediate area.
In this case it seems that adding value to the physical plant can be done for a small percent of ticket price.
All in all i spent around £1500 for the whole trip last weekend. I would not have minded had the seating and facilities been up to scratch. In fact there was no seating in the Bronze area, even though it covers 3/4 of the track. I sat on the muddy hill at the "Pou on"? section of the track. There were people who even took there own spades to dig out seating area in the side of the steep hill, people were even falling and slipping down the dam thing. Were as for the cheapest section of the track (the Steel area) were all the crash accidents were. They had two bloody great grand stands in such a small area that every one got seated WTF! Then you have the silver and gold grand stand areas that over look the start Finnish lines and Eau Rouge. I did take TRY to take a look at Eau Rouge at the end of the Bronze area which finished at the top of the Eau Rouge hill. To my surprise there were large screens shielding the view, if one has not paid for the more expensive Silver seats, ones not seeing a fraction of Eau Rouge As for the toilets, they were just boxes with no running water, just holes. Even the people manning the food tents were using them......without washing there hands Then i found the Kangaroo TV stand disappointing to say they want to push this fantastic invaluable item. After asking loads of members of staff were the kangaroo TV stands were, not one knew what i was talking about One single stall with one single girl manning it to cover over 3 miles of track. This was situated at the very top of the hill, and anyone who has been there will know what i am talking about. Then at the end of the race the few who were lucky enough to have the Tvs, had to walk against the leaving crowd back up the bloody hill to take them back. Then proceed back down to our parking area. Then!! we were in the carpark for 4 hours trying to leave The car park by the way was covered in big rocks and boulders, i siht you not. I went in the Ferrari and regretted it as soon as i saw the area. Yep being there watching the race at the classic Spa was great viewing. But the whole thing was spoiled by 1970s facilities in 2010 Proper seating is needed in the biggest area (Bronze), does not matter about the stands being covered, just proper seating. Then proper toilet blocks as per lemans, with clean toilets and running water. Only then will i return to the classic Spa. Thank God i was in a Hotel and not camping on the crappy campsites.
I cant blame the man. If you spend thousands of $ you expect some creature comfort in return. If I want to go camping, I can do that for a few bucks. I always thought Silverstone was the worst when it comes to infrastructure, but Spa seems to beat it handsdown (besides I believe Silverstone has been upgraded since I was there). You're missing out. Seriously. TV isn't even close to the experience a live one offers.
I watch every F1 race on the TV... never been to a live one. From the position of my sofa, Spa is the one I look forward to the most every year (not Monaco, which is comparatively boring for modern racing). The racing really is always excellent at Spa. I'd absolutely hate to see it alternated out of the schedule every other year. Wow... that's really surprising. A shame it wasn't a better experience for you. All the best, Andrew.
Horses for courses I suppose, yes sounds to me like it needs a update, shame if it gets lost to some boring high class sand pit somewhere in outer nowhere. Personally I dont mind slumming it, if I don't get ripped off in the process that is. I always make the best of it.
I guess every race has its' challenges. I have no plans to ever go to Shanghai or Sepang again, Singapore is fantastic, Melbourne is good but not a high priority to go back to and Spa is on my "must do list"
I think you just may get along at Spa Steve. The camping pitches this year was double that of the German GP, and it cost 3.60 Euro for a 200mil (tiny) bottle of coke Happy days Anyway, 4 days left before i drive down to Monza for the Italian GP
It would be a travesty if Spa left the calendar - it is by FAR the very best track on the whole schedule. I also have to say I loved going to the race. It was the easiest race to get into and out of that I have ever been to. I found the facilities to be at least equal to any other racing venue I have been to and better than most. Spa is a MUCH better venue than Monza, Montreal, Silverstone or Indianapolis.
Your comments are 180 degrees from sambomydog's. Having been to Spa (not during a GP) it is hard for me to believe that "it was the easiest race to get into and out". Particularly since it is difficult to find hotels nearby. Easiest race to get into and out are still the city GPs where you just hop on the metro/bus/taxi (Montreal, Monaco, Singapore, Valencia). I hope you are not saying this from a visitor's perspective, because quite frankly Indianapolis was the best place to experience a race (best logistics, infrastructure, no Nazi rules for grandstand access, big town with hotel and airport nearby, parking, shopping). Whereas Montreal is probably (along with Monaco) the most fun place to visit for all the festivities going on in town. I can't help but think that your favorable comments towards your Spa experience are hugely biased by your appreciation for the historic importance of the place and because it is one of the best races in the calendar.
