Spa-Francorchamps Old & New Circuit in 2023
In this Circuits of the past video, we show you Herman’s track visit to Spa-Francorchamps in June 2023. We will show you the Works on the current track and much more. But first the old circuit.
We start our lap on the old street circuit at Les Combes. The current track turns right here. But we follow the historic street circuit. It was actually Herman’s purpose to film the pre-1939 layout of old Spa-Francorchamps. But as you will see in the video, it went a bit different…
A bit of the history of the circuit. Spa-Francorchamps was originally a 14.9 Kilometers, or 9.3 Miles long street circuit which was used for the first time in 1922 for motorcycle races. Actually, the first race should take place in 1921, but that event was cancelled because of a lack of compettitors. There was only one registration!
Old Spa-Francorchamps was a pure high speed circuit. And that’s exact what the circuit bosses wanted. To makei t even faster they introduced the famous artificial steep corner named Raidillon in 1939.
In 1947 another artificial corner was introduced. The slow Stavelot Corner was replaced by a fast banked corner. But when people start to think more about safety, the old Spa-Francorchamps Circuit was found too dangerous. In 1971 it lost the Formula One Grand Prix, which went to Zolder and Nivelles.
In 1979 the new Spa-Francorchamps Circuit opened. The new layout was with 6.9 Kilometers, or 4.3 Miles half the length of the original track.
For the new Spa-Francorchamps they reused a part of the original circuit, with a new artificial loop between Les Combes and Blanchimont. Since 2000, Spa-Francorchamps is a full permanent race track and still the favorite of most drivers.
After a lap at old Spa-Francorchamps Herman shows you the current circuit. When Herman entered the circuit ground he immiately saw this huge construction site. Here they built a rallycross stadium, just before the Raidillon. If you think the name of this corner is Eau Rouge you should watch our video ‘Eau Rouge or Raidillon’: • Eau Rouge or Raidillon...
Via a new tunnel we walk to the infield. On the day Herman visited it there was a track day for motorcycles, a so called Bikers Day.
One of the funny things during days like these is that you can enter places that are normally closed for the crowd. Like the Formula 1 paddock and pits. As you may know, Spa-Francorchamps has two pit buildings. The old one and a new one, especially built for Formula 1.
Also watch the other video ‘Old Spa Francorchamps Full Lap with Abandoned Sections’: • Old Spa Francorchamps ...
Special thanks to Simon Smith for the voiceover. Visit also his channel: / higherplaingames
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27 июл 2023
