What is so special about Spa?

[TheCracker]

I think it's hard for a computer game to fully represent what a real life circuit is like. You don't get the atmosphere of a place where the history of the track is a big part of that. Circuits like the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps also have noticeable elevation changes that just don't translate well digitally.

Circuits like this gain a reputation through drivers loving racing on them. As organic circuits they're in great un-race track like locations (both are situated in hilly, dense forests) where the track follows the contours of the land, not the other way around like modern tracks. This throws up some spectacular sections of track, like Eau Rouge/Raidillon or Quiddelbacher-Hohe/Flugplatz that you just don't get now. I also think these locations, and the physical size of the Nürburgring, make driving these circuits feel like a journey too. The forest at all sides and lack of spectators and buildings will give you a real feeling of being man and machine on your own against the elements. The original Hockenheim, La Sarthe and probably Monza will be similar.

As i said, this is something that doesn't translate in a game very well. So i'm not really surprised to see people here questioning it's 'greatness' when they're only real exposure to the circuit is through the game. The difference with the Nürburgring in this instance is probably down to it's length and narrow track width, which stand out against other tracks in both real life and equally in the game.

 

[Lambob]

I played SPA for my first time last night, and tried a few of the new DLC cars for kicks. I remember it vaguely from Need for Speed Shift, or perhaps some other game, but never like this. It is now my favorite high speed technical track, after Tokyo, but will never quite dethrone the Nordschleife for me.

However, SPA really shines, when it comes to taking a random neglected car from your garage, and compare laptimes with, and see how it handles in all the formidable Apexes. Don't be fooled by it's cushy rumblestrips, they will only laugh at your wheels as you lateraly understeer (or oversteer into) away from them, if you are rough with your approach.

5 laps in, 5 different cars, now I'm set to race on it. Totally memorized, and respected.

So happy this is now part of GT5. Thanks Kaz.

Best time so far, is 2:17in a 620pp NSX R1 Hards. Trying new tunes for this amazing SMOOTH track to better my times. I am all giddy to test it in the F1 tonight, with Spec 2.01

I hope a GTPlanet Leaderboard is setup for this track.

 

[maciej908]

I also don't see anything special in this track, however I don't dislike it.

I like it quite a lot actually, especially the downhill section after sector one including Bruxelles and Pouhon Corners, I love that section to bits... I don't think Eau Rouge can be as exciting in the game as in real life, as we cannot feel the G-Forces when sitting on a chair in our living room... 👎

Ohh I think I contradict myself there ^ The track is awesome, although some sections are better than others...

 

[Grand Prix]

It's really a fantastic circuit. It brought new life to GT5 for me. I also find Eau Rouge is particularly challenging, as each car you use on it needs a different line and different amounts of braking and throttle. Some cars can take it flat out, others not so much. It's a learning experience for each car. Additionally, Pouhon, Blanchimont, and Stavelot are all super-fast and extremely challenging sweepers, in the spirit of the original circuit.

Still, the only thing that could have been even better is if PD modelled the older circuit with the Masta Straight. This really would have separated them even further from the competition. There is currently a roundabout on the Masta Straight, but provided PD have the imagination I'm sure could have gotten rid of it in the game. I wouldn't even care if it wasn't 100% accurate. They had enough imagination to make "Fuji 80's" at least.

Just imagine this with GT5's graphics.

(Dreaded Masta Kink at 1:50, )

 

[dhandeh]

You exit la Source, you see Eau rouge unfold in front if you, you get yourself ready, you hit the apex and then carry all the extra speed you maintained up the straight. Nailing Eau Rouge flat out, or close to flat out gives you a buzz.

Then a sneaky look in the mirror, to see it disappear. But don't worry, in a couple of minutes you can do it all again

This is why I like Spa-Francorchamps.

 

[Pupik]

I think it's hard for a computer game to fully represent what a real life circuit is like.

I had heard it was a "driver's favorite" circuit from watching WSC/F1 coverage, but of course, I had to take it as hearsay evidence. But playing it on Formula 1 for the PSX, is what really clinched it for me, and that was a video game. Not too short a track, offers elevation changes, no two corners are the same, and it's possible to get into an awesome rhythm and also relax a little — not a lot — on those long straights. To be fair, I'm making my analysis based on everything but GT5 (because I don't have a PS3).

But even only getting to play it on a simulator (I know you've driven in it in real life, TheCracker) really made me enjoy the actual racing at Spa even more.

I do have one more story: I was watching a Spa race one morning while in college, and ESPN (yeah, this is a while ago) showed a little track map to illustrate the circuit. A fellow in the dormitory looked over, and said..."that's one bad-ass looking track", and watched some of the event. Of course, he may have been hungover...

 

[WarriusZero]

Nothing. The reason why everyone here is so "OMFG SPA the best track EVER THANK YOU PD I LOVE YOU" is because it's SOMETHING and something is better than nothing. Particularly after the disappointing DLC, Spa looks like a king's banquet lol.

With all due respect, along with Suzuka, Spa is the F1 drivers' preferred track. That by itself is a very good clue that what you're putting forward here makes little sense.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I don't rate Spa that highly, it's pretty enjoyable to drive round - except for the final chicane. I personally find it harder to put in a clean fast lap at Suzuka or Fuji than I do at Spa, and in most other respects Spa is trumped in the game by the Nürburgring. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's in the game, but I'm not going to get as misty-eyed as some do about it! I'd have been just as happy if it had been any non-F1 venue touring car track.

I think it needs a decent endurance event for Spa in the game though.

 

[JOSHIE-G]

is that the freaking game??!?!?!?!?!?!!??!

 

[GeneralJesh]

I had the same feeling as OP but I can see why people love it simply for it's history. I think it's a C+ track at best as eau rouge and the chicane after it are the only good part's of the track to me, as the rest has no rhythm to me. PD did create it beautifully though.

May god save your soul

 

[Tired Tyres]

It's really a fantastic circuit. It brought new life to GT5 for me. I also find Eau Rouge is particularly challenging, as each car you use on it needs a different line and different amounts of braking and throttle. Some cars can take it flat out, others not so much. It's a learning experience for each car. Additionally, Pouhon, Blanchimont, and Stavelot are all super-fast and extremely challenging sweepers, in the spirit of the original circuit.

Still, the only thing that could have been even better is if PD modelled the older circuit with the Masta Straight. This really would have separated them even further from the competition. There is currently a roundabout on the Masta Straight, but provided PD have the imagination I'm sure could have gotten rid of it in the game. I wouldn't even care if it wasn't 100% accurate. They had enough imagination to make "Fuji 80's" at least.

Just imagine this with GT5's graphics.

(Dreaded Masta Kink at 1:50, )

They didn't need imagination for Fuji 80's. PD made play at the time that they were able to scan/photograph/whatever the track before the bulldozers went in and the changes to the track to create the 90's version didn't replace the original track, just bypassed it so the original track was still there.

It would be the same if they ever added Oulton Park to GT. Both chicanes on this track bypass the original track therefore the original track is available to scan.

I really don't think PD will ever add the full SPA since the track itself no longer exists in full form to physically scan.

 

[Goudvis]

Actually, Spa is a mere shadow of its former self as well, even if you ignore the long old circuit. Was it Tilke who ruined it with his computer or was it someone else? I can't remember. But in either case it is now just a bland super smooth track with parking lots everywhere, and the new chicane at the end is simply awful.

Don't get me wrong, I love Spa. It is still one of the great circuits in the world, but a bit less so than even just a few years ago. It still feels like you are going somewhere, but it feels more like you are doing so in a well designed and very safe driving park rather than on roads running through the forest.

And to top it all off, they keep talking about shortening it even more, when they're not talking about pulling it from the F1 schedule entirely.

Only the bus-stop chicane has really changed in the track layout since a few years ago.
They've also included tarmac in the run-offs to make it more secure. (which makes for example eau rouge a bit less scary and special) But that's not really a change in the track itself.

The real change between the old, long circuit and the new happened happened decades ago when drivers refused to drive there, because it was to dangerous.

 

[MARcFuLLa]

I'm going to admit this...

I thought this was real life footage until i saw it was from the video.

is that the freaking game??!?!?!?!?!?!!??!

Yep, This was the gif intention, you can see they've removed the HUD information in superior/inferior parts in the image to make this!

From the cockpit view and with cloudy weather it looks a real life footage!

 

[RacingManiac]

The real change between the old, long circuit and the new happened happened decades ago when drivers refused to drive there, because it was to dangerous.

Old Spa used to be public roads linking 3 towns in the area in a Triangle fashion. I remember reading a Dan Gurney piece on Road & Track about his 67(or 68?) race about driving on the old track. They remember braking point and turn-in reference from someone's front porch and turn in when you can see straight at a house's front door, without even seeing the apex of the actual turn.....must be scary as hell...

That track was long gone though. The current Spa is very good for racing. I think GT5's version is very polished. I've been doing lots of laps around it the last few days and doing Eau Rouge or Pouhon or Blanchemont I find myself have to mentally prepared for them as they all have very high entry speed....

 

[ZeGermanBastorD]

Ive raced it and i just cant see how it is the best or i cant see how its special.

That's what I thought after the first laps I did on the track.

But after taking some of my favourite cars to the track & some more laps, I kinda felt in love. Spa has everything. Low/mid/high speed corners, high speed straights ending in right/left chicanes & "hidden" corners. It's a very technical track which requires a lot of practice if you want to be fast.

With RS soft tires the track is boring. But with RH or sport tires it's a blast. The right braking points are for sure the key on Spa. I personally would say Spa is the LaSarthe for non LMP/super cars. :tup:

 

[Haakert]

I love Spa, I've attended the 24-hour two times, when the Vipers GTS-R, Lister Storm, Ferrari 550 were still competitive. One year it rained so hard all weekend long, a Porsche 911 GT3 from the slower class won the race because the smaller tires coped better with all the rain (Stephane Ortelli won it). It's so fun, because as a spectator, walking the hills around the circuit is very tough all weekend long. In the evening you've got parties, fireworks etc, and ofcourse some rain, somestimes ALOT of rain .

I also went there about 12 years ago during the holiday. We just passed Spa and my father and I wanted to check out the circuit. At that time it was already closed for public and when we walked to the circuit, we heard thunder, though the weather was pretty good... When we were at the La Source hairpin, we saw that Toyota was testing the GT-One! The thunder sounds in the hills were produced by the GT-One which was downshifting, all the unburned fuel exploded in the exhaust. I will never forget that! It also didn't have sponsoring on the body, just red paint.

Also another fun story about the history of the bus-stop chicane:

That chicane is called the bus-stop chicane because a long time ago, there wasn't a chicane. The speeds were very high and the circuit was almost banned from the F1 calendar because it wasn't safe enough. The organisation had no money the build a chicane so what they did was write the government and tell them about planning a bus-stop there. With the money the government payed them, they could build a chicane which avoided the racers to pass the bus-stop. The only thing they actual did about creating a stop for the local bus was placing a sign and a bench .

 

[176OES]

Meh... spa... boring.

Bring in Mt Panorama, those delicate little F1 cars wouldnt last 5 laps on that track

 

[Nicktune]

I love Spa,The track is fluid....If you don't have the right racing line,it destroy your momentum...

 

[DiersZee1]

I personally love the way PD made Spa, but just the course in it self! I did five 24H races in Simbin's GTR2 and only finished 1 out of the 5 due to engine failure towards the end of the race...argh.

The replay in GT5 is amazing and the background is very enjoyable. Put this track on my top 5 list for me in GT5.

 

[HKS racer]

Meh... spa... boring.

Bring in Mt Panorama, those delicate little F1 cars wouldnt last 5 laps on that track

Meh... foolish comments... boring.
"F1 at Bathurst" can easily be the dumbest statement of the month, so congrats dude.

 

[TypeRDC5]

Spa is well known for being a drivers favorite along with suzuka and monza they always produce great racing and have a lot of history, that obviously makes it a classic and very well known.

And then theres eau rouge and the fact that PD got it spot on, its actually a challenge to drive through it and its great how different each car's grip level is through that corner, and the rest of the track is also spot on, nice flowing feel to it in the middle sector leading up another famous corner blanchimont.

By far my favorite track in the world and i might just have to make the trip to belgium for a trackday and drive it for real one day when i can actually afford it.

 

[JOSHIE-G]

Yep, This was the gif intention, you can see they've removed the HUD information in superior/inferior parts in the image to make this!

From the cockpit view and with cloudy weather it looks a real life footage!

That is outstanding

 

[Crimson]

It's a fun track, suitable for a wide range of cars, and it's the first DLC track we've had after nearly a year.

 

[TouringDevotee]

Spa has a marvelous beginning and a very anticlimactic end. They really need to do away with the Bus Stop chicane and implement some other slowdown safety feature; the finish feels too contrived and therefore, hollow.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

The challenge for drivers has always been to take Eau Rouge-Raidillon flat out. Regular touring cars can take the corner at 160–180 km/h, Formula One at over 300 km/h.[10] This is due to the huge amount of downforce on the cars. World Champion Jacques Villeneuve once spoke of the effects of downforce saying that to get through the corner they have to go faster as the faster the car is going the more downward force there is, thus explaining the phenomenon of Eau Rouge flat out. - wiki

 

[SLK230]

The elevation, the technical corners and the scenery make it an awesome track.

But, I understand that it can be a bit boring in slower cars, mainly because of the long straights. Straights are much more fun in real life than in games and you don't really notice the elevation in a game either.

 

[NEO_saffy_7]

Its a special track, has a lot of history, and just unique compared to all others

 

[blauster654]

Spa is an old-ish style track thats quite rare these days, it has quirks that you just dont get on modern designed tracks. That said I'm not a huge fan myself but adored the old pre 70's layout. Rouen is another classic old track that tragically no longer exists.

 

[Energizerrr]

Really overrated track, on par with GT's original tracks (better than High Speed Ring but worse than Deep Forest).
Also, another track which got ruined by F1.
Very dull and boring track when driven with anything slower than a F1 car.


Don't see why everyone has a boner over it.

 

[Off the Bit]

Spa is a great track and would be one of my top ten tracks I would want in any racing game. The history (the fact that when they had to shorten it, they somehow managed not to ruin it), the curves, the weather... It is a long track in modern circuit-racing terms, easy to learn but difficult to master. Built from public roads, one of the last modern circuits to have a proper link to the great road racing circuits of the past.

That's why I like it. But each to their own, we all like different circuits for different reasons. I have never "got" the hype surrounding Suzuka, but I'm happy to accept that I am wrong. Probably wrong, anyway.