Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

F1 fans soak up orange atmosphere with Motorsport Experiences

The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps has grown into one of the standout spectator events on the Formula 1 calendar

Motorsport Experiences, which brings over 40,000 fans to the race, is working to bring the Spa experience to other marquee events.

After a few quieter years, a recent revival has made the historic 4.3mile Ardennes venue one of the best attended events on the F1 calendar, restoring its place as one of the championship's monuments.

The undulating nature of the Spa track not only provides thrills for the drivers but also for the fans.

Spectators get to enjoy views and sightlines only seen at a handful of other circuits around the world. You never forget your first time gazing at the Eau Rouge/Raidillon combination, or following the cars through the blazingly fast Pouhon double left-hander.

The Spa organisers have improved the fan experience even further with recent investments, including a new-for-2018 circuit-wide free wifi network and well as an expanded F1 Fan Zone with plenty of displays and demonstrations for fans of all ages.

With supporters flocking to Spa from all corners of Europe to witness the F1 field tackle the legendary track, the grandstands are packed with a colourful mix of nationalities. The orange army from nearby Holland in particular adds to the electric atmosphere during the grand prix weekend, with nearly half of the 80,000 fans hailing from the Netherlands.

Following its acquisition of leading Dutch operator SportStadion, Motorsport Experiences is providing travelling F1 fans with a full range of services, ranging from tickets and travel to fan villages, campsites and even bespoke grandstands. The Belgian Grand Prix is an integral part of its success.

"Spa-Francorchamps remains an iconic circuit," says Stefan van den Berg, managing director of SportStadion and Motorsport Experiences president. "Especially for the Dutch fans, Spa is a home grand prix both in terms of its proximity and its culture. It's an important place for F1, and also for Dutch motorsport."

Through SportStadion, Motorsport Experiences plays an integral part in the filling up the grandstands around the venue - including its very own Orange Experience Stand - and creating a unique atmosphere.

"If you add up Saturday, Sunday and weekend tickets then we are talking about 40,000 people," Van den Berg adds. "As such, Motorsport Experiences is an important partner for the local promotors.

"The atmosphere at Spa is brilliant. It's almost like a football World Cup in terms of the togetherness of the fans. Fans are experiencing the emotion of Formula 1 with friends and even with people they don't know. Together they are creating memories."

Following its success in the Netherlands with SportStadion, Motorsport Experiences is now working to branch out into other territories and forms of motorsport.

"We've had success in Austria, Germany and Silverstone and also Abu Dhabi is becoming more popular," says Van den Berg.

"Now Motorsport Experiences wants to take the next step. We enjoy a good relationship with Red Bull Racing, but we're also talking to McLaren, Renault and others. We want to bring what we've learnt in terms of fan engagement to other drivers and teams.

"We also want to expand our scope outside Formula 1 and take a look at how we can improve the fan engagement in categories such as Formula E, MotoGP, the World Endurance Championship and the Isle of Man TT.

"What we're doing with Dutch fans is also possible with Americans, the British or the French. People want to have a great experience. Those are universal values. Motorsport is fun, it's exciting and it's exactly why Motorsport Experiences exists."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article What's the point of an F1 junior?
Next article DVD Review: The Top 20 Greatest Ever TT riders

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe