Belgian GP

Spa

Spa Francorchamps is still considered to be one of the most challenging race tracks in the world. But today's circuit is far removed from that which faced the drivers in 1966.

The original circuit was nearly nine miles long, and incredibly fast, but had barely any safety features to speak of. Like many other tracks, Spa has now been significantly shortened, and safety features have been improved beyond all recognition.

The Circuit

Length: 8.761 Miles, 14.120 km
Direction: Clockwise

Designed in 1920 by Jules de Thier and Henri Langlois Van Ophem, the original Spa course used public roads between the Belgian towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot. The first car race was held at the circuit in 1922, and 1924 saw the first running of the now famous 24 Hours of Francorchamps race. The circuit was first used for Grand Prix racing in 1925.

Spa is located in the Belgian Ardennes countryside, and the old circuit was, and still is, used as everyday public road, and there were houses, trees, electric poles, hedges and other obstacles located right next to the track. Before 1970, there were no safety modifications of any kind done to the circuit and the conditions of the circuit were, aside from a few straw bales, virtually identical to everyday civilian use. Former Formula One racing driver and team owner Jackie Oliver was quoted as saying "if you went off the road, you didn't know what you were going to hit".