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BEL - BELGIUM
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
SORRY, SOME DATA ARE NOT TRANSLATED YET
Description  
Location Francorchamps - Liège / Luik - Wallonie / Wallonië
Location  
Latitude - Longitude + 50°26'37"     + 5°57'55"
50.443611     5.965278
UTM Coordinates X = 710533.269  -  Y = 5592157.366  -  Zone 31U
Aerial photo / Map (*) Aerial photo / Map (*) OpenStreetMap  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Google Maps  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Bing Maps  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Flash Earth  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Wikimapia
Altitude AMSL 420 m - 1378 ft
Inauguration 1921
Closing  
Designer  
Sources and links (Translation) (**)
(1) English World Motor Racing Circuits: A Spectator’s Guide (page 168)Author: Peter Higham, Bruce Jones - Published by: Andre Deutsch - year: 1999 - ISBN: 0-233-99619-2
Description
(2) English Motor Racing Circuits of Europe (page 8)Author: Louis Klemantaski & Michael Frostick - Published by: Batsford Book - year: 1958
Description
(3) Italian English ForumForum --> Europe --> Benelux --> BEL Spa Francorchamps [ITA ENG]
(4) English en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spa_FrancorchampsWikipedia
(5) English goran.wall.sk/galeria/jpm_v_SPADavid Griac’s photo gallery
(6) English www.atlasf1.com (...)Autosport.com Bulletin Board --> The Nostalgia Forum --> Spa map dated 1939
(7) Italian www.baconinborzacchini.it/cspa.htmOld layout
(8) English Afghanistan www.circuitsofthepast.nlCircuit of the Past
(9) English Afghanistan www.joramvanwinkel.be (...)
(10) English www.milermeter.com/?r=1412680Track layout
(11) English www.milermeter.com/?r=1984467Track layout
(12) French www.race-styling.be/fr/circuits.htm
(13) English www.racingcircuits.netMotor Racing Circuits Database
(14) English www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/visite/index.htmPhotos
(15) Italian www.tazionuvolari.it/corse5it.htmTazio Nuvolari’s official website
(16) Italian www.tazionuvolari.it/corse6it.htmTazio Nuvolari’s official website
(17) English www.teamdan.com/archive/gen/1925.html
(18) English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeglAyTxXXQ1970 Belgian Grand Prix B&W Highlights (Rare)
(19) Italian Autosprint 2/1964 (page 53)Map
(20) Italian Autosprint 5/1967 (page 11)Map
(21) Italian Autosprint 7/1968 (page 24)In primavera sarà allargato in alcuni punti e modificata la curva Masta
(22) Italian Autosprint 21/1969 (page 19)Mappa e dati essenziali
(23) Italian Autosprint 27/1969 (page 10)Una chicane prima di Masta e altre modifiche per la sicurezza
(24) Italian Autosprint 22/1970 (page 7)There will be a new chicane on Masta straight (with very rough map)
(25) Italian Autosprint 23/1970 (page 8)Photo of the new chicane at Malmedy
(26) Italian Autosprint 49/1970 (page 40)GP F.1 1971 in dubbio, i piloti chiedono miglioramenti
(27) Italian Autosprint 19/1971 (page 23)De Adamich spiega come si guida
(28) Italian Autosprint 30/1971 (page 8)Il giudizio di Stewart
(29) Italian Autosprint 42/1975 (page 21)Primo progetto del nuovo circuito corto
(30) Italian Autosprint 30/1977 (page 27)Nel 1979 il nuovo circuito corto
(31) Italian Autosprint 31/1978 (page 18)
(32) Italian Autosprint 12/1983 (page 30)Modifiche 1983
(33) Italian Rombo 14/1983 (page 14)Modifiche 1983
(34) Italian Autosprint 15/1983 (page 72)Foto della costruzione dei nuovi box
(35) Italian Autosprint 23/1985 (page 15)Storia dei guai della pista
(36) Italian Autosprint 25/1985 (page 25)Rifatto l’asfalto
(37) Italian Rombo 1/1986 (page 20)C’era diossina nell’asfalto che ha causato l’annullamento del GP nel giugno 1985?
(38) Italian Autosprint 9/2000 (page 16)FIA changes measuring measuring system: new official lenght
(39) Italian Autosprint 29/2006 (page 31)Novità in vista per il 2007: rifatte chicane Bus Stop e La Source
(40) Italian Autosprint 48/2006 (page 23)Aggiornamento sui lavori di rifacimento dei box e del rettilineo del via
(41) Italian Autosprint 14/2007 (page 30)Works in progress, with photos and map
(42) Italian Autosprint 18/2007 (page 32)Works are in advance!
(43) Italian Autosprint 19/2007 (page 20)Photo of the new "bus stop" chicane
(44) Italian Autosprint 28/2007 (page 83)Photo of the new "bus stop" chicane already in use
(45) Italian Autosprint 29/2007 (page 22)
(46) Italian Autosprint 35/2011 (page 33)2011 changes
(47) Italian Autosprint 50/2011Poster Story: Le Grandi Corse Dimenticate [Forgotten Great Races]
(48) English Motor Sport /1970 (page 714)The Belgian Grand Prix. Fabolous Francorchamps- BRM break the Cosworth stronghold’ [Publishing date: July 1970]
(49) English Motor Sport /1970 (page 708)Reflection in the Forest of the Ardennes - The Belgian Grand Prix [Publishing date: July 1970]
(50) English French www.francorchamps-karting.beKart track
(51) English German French Afghanistan www.spa-francorchamps.beOfficial website

(*) NOTE: a complete and detailed view of the circuit can be found (if available) on Street View by Google Maps and/or Bird's Eye and 3D views by Bing Maps for Enterprise (former Microsoft Virtual Earth): both can be reached using their own link in Aerial photo / Map cell.

(**) For on-line not-English speaking sources, click on each small flag and you open the corresponding Google Translator page with automatic translation.

Spa Francorchamps
Description Map shown here is wrong in the Stavelot area, as the banked Stavelot bend was built only after Second World War. Before, the circuit went through Stavelot village.
Malmedy chicane was active.
Years 1921÷1929
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Road course
Inauguration 1921
Closing 1929
Last update of this page May 11th 2020
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 14980  m 49147  ft 9.308  mi   (17)
length 14982  m 49154  ft 9.31  mi   (13)
length 14416  m 47296  ft 8.958  mi Calculated from aerial photo (*) (11)

Spa Francorchamps
Description From 1930 to 1933 Malmedy chicane was not anymore in use. The circuit went through Stavelot village, as banked Stavelot bend was built only after Second World War.
Years 1930?÷1933
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit  
Motorbike circuit  
Type Road course
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page May 11th 2020
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 14914  m 48930  ft 9.267  mi   (15)

Spa Francorchamps
Description From 1934 to 1939 Malmedy chicane was used again
Years 1934?÷1939
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Road course
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page May 11th 2020
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 14500  m 47572  ft 9.01  mi   (16)

Spa Francorchamps
Description Banked bend at Stavelot was built just after Second World War and old section through Stavelot village was abandoned.

Malmedy chicane was built in spring 1970. It was not used for 1000 km held on May 17th 1970, but it was tested for F.1 Belgian GP in 1970 held on June 7th 1970. Even if some sources reported that it was not used for the race, race highlight available on Youtube show that it was used. In following years it was used for 1000 km and 24h races. Some sources described it like this: «after its construction, the circuit had to overcome an "island", then a triangular junction was built using roads to Malmedy, Stavelot and Spa».

Masta chicane was built in 1975 (even if there were rumors about it at least since 1968; Autosprint just after 1970 1000 km wrote that it would have been built within 1970 F.1 Belgian GP), but it was never used as it was too dangerous.
Years ...÷1978
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Road course
Inauguration  
Closing 1978
Last update of this page May 11th 2020
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 14100  m 46260  ft 8.762  mi    
length 14039  m 46061  ft 8.724  mi Calculated from aerial photo (*) (10)

Spa Francorchamps
Description Proposal dated 1975 for shorten the old Spa circuit. It should have been opened in 1978. 7 km long, it should have used 4 km of the old track, while a section 3 km long should have been built. It should have had a semipermanent street circuit, with all facilities ready for a sudden close to traffic.
Years 1975
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal Proposal  YES
Proposal not developed YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Road course
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page March 9th 2007
Info last update September 1975
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length (approx) 7000  m 22966  ft 4.35  mi   (29)

Spa Francorchamps
Description Draft proposal for shorten the old track dated spring 1978. In summer 1978 it was replaced by the short track that is still in use
Years 1978
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal Proposal  YES
Proposal not developed YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Road course
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page March 9th 2007
Info last update March 1978
Designer  
Distinctive points  

Spa Francorchamps
Description In few weeks, draft of proposal of the new short circuit presented in spring was completely changed and now it’s nearly the same as what it was really built. The last international race run on the old 14 km track was Spa 24 hours on July 22nd-23rd 1978, then the old track was abandoned because of its dangerousness. A long section of the old circuit (from Blanchimont to Raidillon) is unchanged, next section was modified in order to build the new Kemmel straight and then a new section was built. Totally, 4.2 km of new track were built. New track was inaugurated with motorbike Belgium GP, on July 1st 1979.
Years 1978
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal Proposal  YES
Proposal not developed  
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit YES
Type Road course
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page March 9th 2007
Info last update July 1978
Designer  
Distinctive points Eau Rouge - Raidillon - Kemmel - Blanchimont - House - La Source

Spa Francorchamps
Description  
Years 1994
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Permanent
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page May 20th 2006
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 7001  m 22969  ft 4.35  mi    

Spa Francorchamps
Description  
Years 2000÷2001
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Permanent
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page July 8th 2006
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 6968  m 22861  ft 4.33  mi Unchanged track, measuring system changed (38)
length 6967  m 22858  ft 4.329  mi Temporary unconfirmed track length, while waiting for new measuring systems (Spring 2000) (38)

Spa Francorchamps
Description  
Years 2002÷2003
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Permanent
Inauguration 2002
Closing 2003
Last update of this page July 8th 2006
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 6968  m 22861  ft 4.33  mi   (13)

Spa Francorchamps
Description  
Years 2004÷2006
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Permanent
Inauguration 2004
Closing 2006
Last update of this page January 5th 2011
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 6976  m 22887  ft 4.335  mi   (13)

Spa Francorchamps
Description The circuit was completely rebuilt in the section between the old Bus Stop Chicane and straight after La Source hairpin, including Paddock and Pits. Before F.1 Belgian GP 2011 (August 28th) run off area at Rivage - Turn 8 was modified (gravel was replaced by asphalt), but the track was unchanged.
Years 2007÷...
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational  
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Permanent
Inauguration 2007
Closing  
Last update of this page September 1st 2011
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 7004  m 22979  ft 4.352  mi   (4)

Karting Sokafran
Description Kart track inside main circuit, it’s a little after Stavelot bend
Years  
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational  
Car Circuit  
Motorbike circuit  
Type Kart track
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page March 9th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 1070  m 3510  ft 0.665  mi    
length 1075  m 3527  ft 0.668  mi   (13)
Width 8  m 26  ft      (9)
Straight length 548  m 1798  ft 0.341  mi Start finish straight (12)

Supermotard
Description Circuit derived from kart track inside main circuit, it’s a little after Stavelot bend
Years  
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational  
Car Circuit  
Motorbike circuit YES
Type Supermoto
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page January 12th 2008
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 1226  m 4022  ft 0.762  mi   (12)
length 1076  m 3530  ft 0.669  mi asphalted sections only (12)
length 150  m 492  ft    dirt sections only (12)
Straight length 548  m 1798  ft 0.341  mi Start finish straight (12)

Spa Francorchamps: comparison between different layouts

Due to technical problems, temporarily it’s no longer possible to see the circuits on Google Maps embedded in the current page.
This feature will be restored as soon as I figure out how to do (any help would be appreciated!)

See this track layout with Google Earth
(milermeter.com can be used in your browser, without installing anything; Google Earth is a program that must be installed in your computer)
(Map shown here above can show at the same time all eventual layouts drawn. If you want to see only some of them, please go to Google Maps or Google Earth, by clicking on its own link)

Spa Francorchamps 192x (approximated - wront in the section near Stavelot)

Due to technical problems, temporarily it’s no longer possible to see the circuits on Google Maps embedded in the current page.
This feature will be restored as soon as I figure out how to do (any help would be appreciated!)

See this track layout with Google Earth - milermeter.com
(milermeter.com can be used in your browser, without installing anything; Google Earth is a program that must be installed in your computer)
(Map shown here above can show at the same time all eventual layouts drawn. If you want to see only some of them, please go to Google Maps or Google Earth, by clicking on its own link)

Spa Francorchamps ...÷1978

Due to technical problems, temporarily it’s no longer possible to see the circuits on Google Maps embedded in the current page.
This feature will be restored as soon as I figure out how to do (any help would be appreciated!)

See this track layout with Google Earth - milermeter.com
(milermeter.com can be used in your browser, without installing anything; Google Earth is a program that must be installed in your computer)
(Map shown here above can show at the same time all eventual layouts drawn. If you want to see only some of them, please go to Google Maps or Google Earth, by clicking on its own link)

1975 proposal

1975 proposal

Spring 1978 proposal

Spring 1978 proposal

Summer 1978 proposal

Summer 1978 proposal


PHOTOS

Photos taken during Belgian F.1 GP 2005, originally published (with some more) on goran.wall.sk, David Griac’s website, and published here with his authorization. Description in English are by the author, translation in Italian is mine

Photos by David Griac (jpm) - September 11th 2005
Click on thumbnail to open original large photo

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Pouhon & BusStop from RivageBusStop GP2

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Pouhon

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Porsche Cup

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FagnesInside Fagnes

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Fagnes to StavelotStavelot

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Pouhon: peoplePouhon-Fagnes

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Räikkonen and TrulliOut of Rivage

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Juan Pablo Montoya (treed) and Ralf SchumacherInto Blanchimont kart track

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RivageMalmedyJarno Trulli vrak

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CameramanGiancarlo Fisichella vrakInside Malmedy: Kimi Räikkonen (winner) at press conferenceMalmedy

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Nearing Les CombesLes CombesEau Rouge

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Oz was here

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Back to CombesTruckGarbage

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Visibility zeroInto CombesGP2 trucks leaveCan you make it in there

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Sherlock in Malmedy

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Malmedy fogThe curbMalmedy curb 


Updates
Date Track layout Years Description by Map by Thanks to Note
May 11th 2020     Guido de Carli   whrphlio Update Description
December 17th 2011     Guido de Carli     Update Description
September 23rd 2011     Guido de Carli   David Griac (jpm) Update Description
September 1st 2011   2007÷... Guido de Carli     Update Description
January 5th 2011     Guido de Carli   Lale Update Description
September 2nd 2010     Guido de Carli   micap Update Description
March 25th 2009 Karting Sokafran   Guido de Carli     Update Description
November 14th 2008   ...÷1978 Guido de Carli Vasco Vasco Update Map
June 13th 2008   1921÷1929 Guido de Carli Roelard Smit Roelard Smit Update Map
January 12th 2008 Supermotard   Guido de Carli     Update Description without map
May 16th 2007     Guido de Carli   David Griac (jpm) Update Photos (on this site)
May 16th 2007     Guido de Carli   David Griac (jpm) Update Photos (link)
March 9th 2007     Guido de Carli     Update Description
April 12th 2005   1975 Guido de Carli Guido de Carli   Update Description with map
December 26th 2004   1978 Guido de Carli Guido de Carli   Update Description with map
September 21st 2004     Guido de Carli     Update Photos (link)
January 9th 2004   1978 Guido de Carli     Update Map
January 7th 2004     Guido de Carli     Update Description
June 6th 2003     Guido de Carli     Update Description
October 1st 2002     Guido de Carli     Update Map
Not all eventual updates issued in last years are already visible in this list
 
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