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BEL - BELGIUM
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
SORRY, SOME DATA ARE NOT TRANSLATED YET
Description  
Location Francorchamps
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 (*) Zoom Earth  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Wikimapia
Altitude AMSL 420 m - 1378 ft
Inauguration 1921
Closing  
Designer  
Sources and links (Translation) (**)
(1) English French www.francorchamps-karting.be Kart track
(2) English German French Dutch www.spa-francorchamps.be Official website
(3) Italian English Forum Forum --> Europe --> Benelux --> BEL Spa Francorchamps [ITA ENG]
(4) English en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spa_Francorchamps Wikipedia
(5) English goran.wall.sk/galeria/jpm_v_SPA David 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.htm Old layout
(8) English Dutch www.circuitsofthepast.nl Circuit of the Past
(9) English www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1412680 Track layout
(10) English www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1984467 Track layout
(11) English Dutch www.joramvanwinkel.be (...)
(12) French www.race-styling.be/fr/circuits.htm
(13) English www.racingcircuits.net Motor Racing Circuits Database
(14) English www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/visite/index.htm Photos
(15) Italian www.tazionuvolari.it/corse5it.htm Tazio Nuvolari's official website
(16) Italian www.tazionuvolari.it/corse6it.htm Tazio Nuvolari's official website
(17) English www.teamdan.com/archive/gen/1925.html
(18) English www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeglAyTxXXQ 1970 Belgian Grand Prix B&W Highlights (Rare)
(19) English Motor Racing Circuits of Europe (page 8) Author: Louis Klemantaski & Michael Frostick - Published by: Batsford Book
Description 		1958
(20) Italian Autosprint 2/1964 (page 53) Map January 31st 1964
(21) Italian Autosprint 5/1967 (page 11) Map January 30th 1967
(22) Italian Autosprint 7/1968 (page 24) In primavera sarà allargato in alcuni punti e modificata la curva Masta February 12th 1968
(23) Italian Autosprint 21/1969 (page 19) Mappa e dati essenziali May 26th 1969
(24) Italian Autosprint 27/1969 (page 10) Una chicane prima di Masta e altre modifiche per la sicurezza July 7th 1969
(25) Italian Autosprint 22/1970 (page 7) There will be a new chicane on Masta straight (with very rough map) June 1st 1970
(26) Italian Autosprint 23/1970 (page 8) Photo of the new chicane at Malmedy June 8th 1970
(27) English Motor Sport 1970 (page 708) Reflection in the Forest of the Ardennes - The Belgian Grand Prix July 1970
(28) English Motor Sport 1970 (page 714) The Belgian Grand Prix. Fabolous Francorchamps- BRM break the Cosworth stronghold' July 1970
(29) Italian Autosprint 49/1970 (page 40) GP F.1 1971 in dubbio, i piloti chiedono miglioramenti December 7th 1970
(30) Italian Autosprint 19/1971 (page 23) De Adamich spiega come si guida May 10th 1971
(31) Italian Autosprint 30/1971 (page 8) Il giudizio di Stewart July 26th 1971
(32) Italian Autosprint 42/1975 (page 21) Primo progetto del nuovo circuito corto October 14th 1975
(33) Italian Autosprint 30/1977 (page 27) Nel 1979 il nuovo circuito corto July 26th 1977
(34) Italian Autosprint 31/1978 (page 18) August 1st 1978
(35) Italian Autosprint 12/1983 (page 30) Modifiche 1983 March 22nd 1983
(36) Italian Rombo 14 (103)/1983 (page 14) Modifiche 1983 April 4th 1983
(37) Italian Autosprint 15/1983 (page 72) Foto della costruzione dei nuovi box April 12th 1983
(38) Italian Autosprint 23/1985 (page 15) Storia dei guai della pista June 4th 1985
(39) Italian Autosprint 25/1985 (page 25) Rifatto l'asfalto June 18th 1985
(40) Italian Rombo 1 (246)/1986 (page 20) C'era diossina nell'asfalto che ha causato l'annullamento del GP nel giugno 1985? December 31st 1985
(41) English World Motor Racing Circuits: A Spectator's Guide (page 168) Author: Peter Higham, Bruce Jones - Published by: Andre Deutsch - ISBN: 0-233-99619-2
Description 		1999
(42) Italian Autosprint 9/2000 (page 16) FIA changes measuring measuring system: new official lenght February 29th 2000
(43) Italian Autosprint 35/2002 (page 4) Photos of the new Bus Stop chicane August 27th 2002
(44) Italian Autosprint 36/2002 (page 16) Eau Rouge history September 3rd 2002
(45) Italian Autosprint 36/2002 (page 28) Now it's a permanent circuit September 3rd 2002
(46) Italian Autosprint 45/2002 (page 16) History November 5th 2002
(47) Italian Autosprint 27/2004 (page 10) New bus stop chicane under construction July 6th 2004
(48) Italian Autosprint 34/2004 (page 32) La chicane Bus Stop fa discutere August 24th 2004
(49) Italian Autosprint 29/2006 (page 31) Novità in vista per il 2007: rifatte chicane Bus Stop e La Source July 18th 2006
(50) Italian Autosprint 48/2006 (page 23) Aggiornamento sui lavori di rifacimento dei box e del rettilineo del via November 28th 2006
(51) Italian Autosprint 14/2007 (page 30) Works in progress, with photos and map (by Cesare Maria Mannucci) April 3rd 2007
(52) Italian Autosprint 18/2007 (page 32) Works are in advance! May 1st 2007
(53) Italian Autosprint 19/2007 (page 20) Photo of the new "bus stop" chicane May 8th 2007
(54) Italian Autosprint 28/2007 (page 83) Photo of the new "bus stop" chicane already in use July 10th 2007
(55) Italian Autosprint 29/2007 (page 22) Insalata belgta - non a tutti piace la pista modificata (by Alberto Antonini) July 17th 2007
(56) Italian Autosprint 35/2011 (page 33) 2011 changes August 30th 2011
(57) Italian Autosprint 50/2011 Poster Story: Le Grandi Corse Dimenticate [Forgotten Great Races] (by Mario Donnini) December 13th 2011
(58) Italian Autosprint Collection 1/2018 (page 52) SPAventosa arena da veri gladiatori - ricordi del circuito (by Arturo Merzario) March 6th 2018
(59) Italian Autosprint Collection 1/2018 (page 52) SPAventosa arena da veri gladiatori - ricordi del circuito (by Mario Donnini) March 6th 2018

(*) 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.<br />
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 (*) (10)

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.<br />
<br />
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».<br />
<br />
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 (*) (9)

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   (32)

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 (42)
length 6967  m 22858  ft 4.329  mi Temporary unconfirmed track length, while waiting for new measuring systems (Spring 2000) (42)

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      (11)
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
(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
(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

See this track layout with 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)

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
(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

See this track layout with 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)

1975 proposal

1975 proposal

Spring 1978 proposal

Spring 1978 proposal

Summer 1978 proposal

Summer 1978 proposal


PHOTOS
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS

Foto scattate durante il GP Belgio F.1 2005, originariamente pubblicate (insieme a molte altre) su una pagina di goran.wall.sk, il sito di David Griac, e qui pubblicate con il suo consenso. Le descrizioni in inglese sono dell'autore, le traduzioni in italiano sono mie

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

2805 2806 2807 2816
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Pouhon e BusStop dalla Rivage   BusStop durante la gara GP2  
2817 2818 2819 2820
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
    Pouhon  
2823 2824 2825 2826
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Porsche Cup      
2827 2832 2833 2838
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
    Fagnes All'interno della Fagnes
2839 2840 2841 2843
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Da Fagnes a Stavelot   Stavelot  
2844 2847 2848 2849
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
  Pouhon: spettatori Pouhon-Fagnes  
2850 2851 2853 2867
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
  Räikkonen e Trulli   Rivage
2870 2871 2886 2887
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
    Juan Pablo Montoya (nascosto dagli alberi) e Ralf Schumacher Verso il kartodromo a Blanchimont
2892 2893 2894 2906
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Rivage   Malmedy La macchina incidentata di Jarno Trulli
2908 2909 2910 2911
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Cameraman La macchina incidentata di Giancarlo Fisichella All'interno della Malmedy: Kimi Räikkonen (vincitore) alla conferenza stampa Malmedy
2914 2915 2916 2917
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Avvicinandosi a Les Combes   Les Combes Eau Rouge
2918 2920 2921 2923
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Gli australiani erano qui      
2924 2925 2926 2927
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Indietro verso Les Combes   Camion Spazzatura
2928 2929 2930 2931
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
Visibilità zero Les Combes I camion della GP2 trucks partono  
2932 2933 2935 2936
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS
      Sherlock a Malmedy
2937 2938 2939  
SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS  
Nebbia a Malmedy Cordolo Cordolo a Malmedy  


Updates
Date Track layout Years Description by Map by Thanks to Note
September 18th 2024     Guido de Carli     Update Sources and links
June 13th 2024   2002÷2003 Guido de Carli     Update Description
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 (link)
May 16th 2007     Guido de Carli   David Griac (jpm) Update Photos (on this site)
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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