This post has been a long time coming... but with the new
alias23 web site and getting ready for our official launch at JapFest 2012 things have been hectic!
Anyhow here's a brief review and a few pics of the awesome time we had at SPA. We'd booked to go via the channel tunnel as its super quick and easy, but meant an early morning take off! Given that a picture of the time isnt really interesting we found instagram to be our friend in adding some extra style to marking our departure.
The tunnel went fine and we began our 2-3 hour trip from Calais to the circuit. We were recommended to follow the E42 but found this diverted you completely off track only to miss out the Brussels ring road. On the way back we went via the E40 and found this route simpler, quicker, and just a lot easier!
We stayed at the
Hotel De La Source which is situated literally next door to the track, now the web site shows the hotel 'on' the track, dont be mislead this is not the case and looks like someone has been playing with photoshop! Be warned as the suite(s) which are marketed as 'hovering' over the track are basically made up from what we experianced...
Anyhow, main track day next morning, up bright and early again and eager to go play. This was our first time at SPA, so was a little 'nervous' at the beginning after hearing a few scaremongering stories, as you can see though we got straight into it...
Credit to the fantastic Circuit Day instructor we had for the morning, he was extremely competent and quickly helped us build our confidence and start attacking the circuit.
For anyone who seems 'shy' or 'reluctant' to get tuition, seriously get over it and ask for help we both found the instruction invaluable and dramatically helped us get the flow of the track and reduce our times in the quickest and safest way possible.
The car performed really well with the KW coilover spring kit, Whiteline ARBs, and Stage One remap from
Litchfield.
Oil temps seemed to keep in control, the only real problem we had was the frequency of filling up at the on track petrol station!
So to end and summarise our brief time at SPA - The place is magical, the track is challenging and varied, but its awesome. We can't wait to go back, its just a shame that once you've done SPA all other tracks in the UK just don't compare. Until next time...
