Several modifications were made at this point the Malmedy chicane was once again bypassed and, in order to keep the circuit of the town itself, a new sweeping and banked corner was built at Stavelot.Įven then, safety was marginal, as racers did battle on a circuit which was little different from the normal roads used by the public, save for a few strategically placed hay bales. World War Two intervened before too long, however, and like many other circuits in Europe, Spa-Francorchamps suffered at the hands of heavy artillery, so racing did not resume until repairs were complete in 1947. The sweeping uphill left-right-left combination (known popularly, but incorrectly, as Eau Rouge this is actually the first corner at the bottom of the hill, rather than the one at the top, which is Raidillon), became an instant classic. It was also in this year that the circuit's signature corner sequences was born when a connecting road, bypassing the Virage de Ancienne Douane, was constructed. Over the years there were relatively few modifications to the circuit a chicane at Malmedy was bypassed in 1930, then reused again four years later before being discarded once more in 1939. The first course saw the cars head down the hill from La Source to a left-hand band leading to a hairpin (named after a former customs post which had occupied the site until 1920), before the track rose to Raidillon and headed out on fast, flowing roads to Malmedy, onto Stavelot before sweeping back to Francorchamps in a roughly triangular course. Seven cars took part in this event with victory falling to Antonio Ascari and Alfa Romeo. Two years later came the first running of the famous 24 Hours of Francorchamps, only one year after Le Mans, while the first real big international race for single-seaters, the European Grand Prix, was run in 1925. Attempts were made to organize the first race in 1921, but these foundered when there was only one entered car.Įventually, the track was inaugurated by the motorcyclists, with the cars following in 1922. The combination of long straights and rolling countryside seemed perfect for the new sport, offering the chance to attain high speeds. Motor racing had become increasingly popular in Belgium after the First World War and the Ardennes region hosted a number of races before the spotlight fell on the roads around the town of Spa-Francorchamps – until then more famous for its healing waters. Fast straights, sweeping corners and unpredictable weather could combine to create a lethal combination – and too often did. However, it hasn't always been like this in its original incarnation, Spa was a circuit truly to be feared as it posed dangers almost like no other. Spa-Francorchamps is one of the classic race circuits beloved by drivers and spectators alike, where today the true essence of speed can be explored in spectacular style on a safe and modern facility.
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