I wrote this a number of years ago after my 1st track day at Spa, which till today, is still my favorite track.
To most people going to a Spa conjures up images of excessive pampering, blissful relaxation, body scrubs, thermal baths, and total escape from the stresses of daily life. This Spa is a bit different, far less than relaxing, actually quite terrifying in parts. This Spa does help release endorphins, normally right after the terror dies down.

Dawn came, and the skies were clear. As Spa is located in the eastern corner of normally wet grey Belgium, clear skies are not a given by any means. It seemed that the gods were smiling, and the day would be good. As I had brought a friend along for his first Ferrari trackday, rookie excitement meant that we had to get to the pits bright and early to see everything being set up. At 7:00 AM we met in the hotel lobby and headed out towards the track, a 30 minute drive away. Upon arrival we headed immediately to the pits. They were already covered in a sea of Ferraris being readied for exercise. With over 40 Ferraris present, ranging from a F40 to a F430 GT3, the scene in the pits was most impressive. As the engines were fired up to move the cars out of the garage area into the pit lane, the barely muffled exhausts of the Challenge cars were near deafening. Over a dozen Ferrari mechanics were swarming over the cars checking wheels, tires, fluid levels, and safety equipment.

We then headed outside to find my 360 Challenge which was already lined up and ready to go. A quick look into the cockpit indicated that a new driver’s seat had been fitted as the old one had expired. I dropped myself a bit less than elegantly through the roll cage into the seat to check that it had been positioned properly (the seat is not adjustable) for both the steering wheel and pedals. As usual the highly skilled crew had fitted it perfectly. Next it was time to pull the oversize oven mitt (race suit), driving shoes, and helmet out of the front compartment and so we could go get ready for the day. A quick walk around the car for a visual inspection, and then we headed off to the lounge to check in and change.
At 8:45 AM the safety briefing started. It was the usual speech about rules, flags, and track tips. I find them always to be a good reminder before heading out but this one had a slightly different twist at the end. A short speech on Eau Rouge was delivered by the Motorsports Director which got all of our attention. It started with a statement that if we went off at Eau Rouge our cars would not become a banana (i.e. bent) but rather two bananas. This was followed by the instruction that the proper way to take Eau Rouge was flat out. This would be interesting.

Briefing complete, I found my instructor, and we headed off to the car. As I had not driven Spa before, we agreed that he would take the wheel for a few warm up laps (and yes, it is much easier to have a professional race driver warm up the tires and brakes). Out of the pits we rumbled and were waved immediately onto the track. As we were one of the first out, we had the luxury of gently climbing from Eau Rouge to Raidillon before setting a leisurely pace around the rest of the 4.3 mile circuit. First impressions were that Spa is a very challenging circuit with a range of fast and slow corners along with multiple elevation changes. For the second lap, it was time to pick up the pace and this only served to reinforce my 1st impressions. After the 2nd lap we returned to the pits and swapped seats.

Now that I was seated on the business side of the cockpit, the one banana, two banana comment immediately came back to mind. Even worse, I hate bananas. Flip the ignition switch, punch the starter button, check left hand side for traffic, and off down the pit lane we rolled. Before clearing the pit lane exit, I tapped the brakes for a quick check, and off we went. Clear tarmac both in front and in back, afforded us the chance to take a slow initiation lap. Even at cruising speeds, Spa is a track on which you have to keep your concentration levels up on at all times. As we cleared the pit lane entrance to begin our second lap, the instructor’s voice came through the intercom reminding me to not lift off going through Eau Rouge-Raidillon and to make sure we were lined up straight when we hit the crest. Sure, simple, right foot down, wheel straight. The first serious time through we did it at 75%, fantastic and the flow of the entire circuit started to come together. Once through Eau Rouge, it is a flat out run in 6th for about half a mile before a sharp right left 3rd gear combination leading into the slow tight Bruxelles corner. From Bruxelles you head downhill into fast Double Gauche where you need to run the gearbox from 3 to 4 to 5 to 4 to 5 before braking heavily into Stavelot. Exiting Stavelot in 4th you need to line the car up properly to drift across the track into the right line for Blanchimont. The Stavelot to Blanchimont section is a very challenging 4th to 6th gear section as it includes several shallow corners which again can be taken at almost flat out, if you hit the apexes properly. If you miss the apex, there are plenty of tires on the other side of the shallow gravel trap to impede your progress.

With the basic flow now down, it was time to get serious. Clearing La Sources for the downhill run to Eau Rouge, it was a quick 4th, 5th, 6th gear run before braking slightly and downshifting into 5th. The compression on your body, even when strapped down hard in a race seat, as you cut across the 1st corner and start heading sharply uphill is intense. Accelerator down hard, a short move right, back slightly left, look for the crest, wheels straight, and there is nothing but blue sky through the windscreen. Get the line right and you actually cut the corner. Clearing the crest (and hopefully not your bowels) you keep your foot firmly planted and aim straight for Le Kemmel. At Le Kemmel shift up into 6th and then run flat out before braking hard and dropping to 3rd for Malmedy Les Combes. Then it is through the tough back side of the circuit to Blanchimont and the pitlane straight. The strip of asphalt from Les Sources to Malmedy Les Combes has to be the single most thrilling piece of tarmac I have ever had the pleasure to drive. It is both terrifying and utterly thrilling.
After a further ten laps with the flow getting better each time, it was time to head back into the pits for a break. I have no idea how anyone could do a 24 hour race here, after 40 minutes I found my concentration starting to drop off slightly. At these speeds, slightly off, is what leads to “bananas”.

Back in the pits, I went and found my friend who was just minutes away from his first session out. I of course offered him a bit of less than helpful advice before heading into the lounge for water and coffee. It is only when you sit down that you start to unwind and realize how both fantastic and intense the Spa circuit is. As one of the first drivers both out and then back in, I had the pleasure of watching others come in with the same ear to ear grin and look of excitement in their eyes. However, I was not here to sit in a lounge sipping espresso so after 15 minutes it was back to business.
After the mechanics checked the tires pressures and wheel bolts, off we rolled down the pit lane. Spa is a very large track, but by now most drivers were out and with 30 plus cars on the track at any given time, pockets of traffic were beginning to form. That is traffic in the high speed, late braking, definition. The cars were an even split between 430 Scuderias, 430 Challenges, 360 Challenges, along with a couple of other exotics. With a bit over 100 more bhp, the 430 Challenges were definitely faster than the 360 Challenges through Eau Rouge and Blanchimont. An extra hundred horsepower does make a difference when doing up hill. As the 430 Scuderias were on road tires and the 360 Challenges were on slicks, the Challenges had a distinct advantage. Knowing the basic differences in characteristics between the Ferraris is important when you are driving with others on the track. While this was an open pit lane strictly noncompetitive day, there was still plenty of “gentleman” passing.

The second session was even better than the first. After about ten laps on a track you start to refine the driving lines. Braking points become more precise and your sight lines improve. This also means that speed starts to increase and at points you begin to feel where the limits might be. Both the track and car were starting to heat up quite a bit as well. The fans in a 360 Challenge are very effective at blowing hot air off the track right into the cockpit. Getting roasted is not much more than a minor annoyance but you do need to be careful not to get dehydrated. After pushing much harder for another 30 – 40 minutes it was back into the pits for a brief respite before one final session prior to lunch.
At this point I caught back up with my friend and started trading stories and tips. Clearly, he was having a great time. He had done sessions in both a 430 Scuderia and a 360 Challenge. I would have guessed that he would have preferred the more civilized Scuderia but it was the track focused Challenge that really won him over. It is hard for any car on road tires to match a track car on slicks.

After the hour break, the pitlanes opened back up and out we went. By this time, I had the lines through Eau Rouge down, the difficulty at this point was solely related to making sure the intestinal fortitude held through the crest. Most of the work now was concentrated to hitting the lines through Double Gauche and Blanchimont. After a few good laps, I was quite surprised at how much faster these sections could be taken by making a few slight adjustments to the driving lines. Blanchimont in particular is deceiving as you don’t really need to brake. If you hold 5th gear a bit longer going in, you can lift off slightly, use a bit of engine braking to slow the car, and then get right back on the power as you cross the apex. This then puts you in a perfect line for the final 6th gear run to the final chicane.

By the end of the final session in the afternoon, we were both drained. The 6 fantastic hours on the track had left us both simply wiped out. The speeds and challenges of Spa demand complete focus and concentration at all times. This is the first time I have ever felt completely mentally and physically sapped at the end of a day, but what a great feeling. Before changing and exchanging farewells, I climbed to the top of the pit building to take on final look at Eau Rouge. From the viewing platform, it is a thin black ribbon cutting through a majestic forest. For those who have had the privilege of driving it, well you understand.