Why no Spa this season?

The track's facilities are being renovated. It'll be back on the calendar for 2007.

 

I believe this is what the FIA/FOM said. The track said they didn't have enough money to pay F1 to come iirc. I think there was a race or two already on that track this year.

 

I believe that the Belgian GP organiser has problem with the local authorities. I read that the Spa track(which is patly a public road) spans across the territory of 2 local councils, and both wants a percentage of the income.
The organiser almost went bankrupt last year and faced a huge tax bill.
Mitigation is under way to resolve the problem.

 

Unfortunately, Spa hasn't been part of a public road since 2003. As you approach the hill, the gates close, and you are put around a detour, which brings you to the base of Eau Rogue at the track entrance. You then continue down the road and you're at the top of Eau Rogue and can see the gate where that part used to continue with the rest of the public road.

No more. I was there in Feb 2006 walking around.

 

You are probably righ bjwhite! I haven't visited the track for many years. Last time I toured in the region, it was still partially open to normal traffic; that was in the early 90s, I think.

 

We've been going to the F1 race at Spa for the last 5 times - definitely our favorite. Easy to access, neat course, etc. I hope they don't sked it in '07 too early in September as school will be starting August 27 and the first couple weeks are very busy. Perhaps I need to write a "Dear Bernie" letter.

Carol

 

Track facilities are very old and not really up-to-date, same for the grandstands. But the track is very impressive, and the Eau-Rouge is a world-famous curve. But as spectator, Tickets are to expensive, for example 180$ for a F1 bronze ticket only valid to walk around the track during F1-GP. I live 150 km from Spa and 150 from Nurburgring. and love the 2 tracks, but i go more often to Nurburg as to Spa.

 

Didn't they hold a 24hr race a few months ago?
I believe it was Fia-gt.....

 

It was less than a month ago as I just looked up. 7/30 to be precise so I'm calling BS on Bernie's renovation reason.

 

Yes it was the FIA-GT and it was quite a race - I "watched" it quite a bit on live timing. There was a package available that really puts F1 to shame. As I recall it was about 380 Euro +/- and it included a bunch of meals, shuttle to six locations for viewing - food and drink at each, plus parking, entrance, and I don't remember what else and you got 24 hours worth of racing. Definitely something worth considering for next year. The sports car garages are on the back side of the F1 garages. Brussels airport is very easy to get in and out of and Spa is not a long drive away. Last time we were at an F1 race at Spa we had seats at Pouhon - they were great. I know last year advance purchase our Sunday seat at Imola was 265 Euro per person. That got us into the circuit and a seat for the 1.5 or so hour race.

Carol

 

There is more pressing issues to write to Bernie about

Hopefully Ill get to goto Spa/Monza next year as well