The city of Spa and the region located in the eastern part of Wallonia, Belgium is famous for its natural hot springs that are used by local wellness resorts, thermal centers and treatment pools. The region also attacks millions of tourists due to its beautiful nature, extraordinary landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Nature was more than generous to this area, men decided to live up to the contribution of the environment and add to this picture by building an amazing attraction – the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps: one of the most famous race circuits in the world, the host of the Belgian Grand Prix and Spa 24 Hours endurance race.

The circuit was planned by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem in 1920 as a triangle shaped track located between the Belgian towns Spa, Malmedy and Stavelot. A few years later, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps hosted the first national race in Belgium. This is why the circuit is associated with motor races from the very early days of this sport.

The wild nature from the region influenced the configuration of the track – a twisty and hilly pattern that seems to mirror the characteristics of the environment. The circuit was famous from the very beginning due to the fact that drivers were able to achieve higher average speeds compared to other tracks. This brought the circuit the reputation of one of the fastest tracks that made the delight of drivers and spectators alike.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is also known for its unpredictable weather. Due to its location, the track can undergo unexpected weather changes. While some parts of the circuit can be clear and dry, others can be rainy and slippery. This is common for most long circuits, still the weather in the Spa region combined with an extremely fast track makes the driving conditions very difficult to tackle.

The circuit also presents a series of difficult sections. One of the most challenging part is the Eau Rouge: after passing through the La Source pin, the driver can race down practically in a straight line and then face a left-right-left turn and a blind summit. Speed often comes with a price and the Spa circuit is no exception.

There were many serious accidents and even deaths related to this ultra fast track. In 1969 the Formula 1 drivers demanded for some changes to be made to the track due to the fact that I was considered too dangerous. The Grand Prix was never held that year because these modifications could not be made on a short notice.

Some sections were improved, but that was not enough in terms of safety. The fatalities registered in 1973 and 1975 during the Spa 24 Hours endurance race influenced the faith of the circuit. This is why Formula 1 did not return to Spa until 1983 on the new, improved and modern track.

The circuit has been modified several times over the years. Some of the most dangerous sections were either eliminated, cut short or bypassed, the original start line was moved, so the final configuration of the circuit was shortened from 14 km to just 7 km. Nevertheless it the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps remains to this day one of the fastest open road circuits in the world.

Presently the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most spectacular tracks in the world. It is the favorite circuit of many professional racing drivers and motor car fans because it demonstrates the importance of driver skill and courage. Amateur drivers can also test the track due to the public driving sessions and test drives organized at Spa. This makes Spa-Francorchamps a place definitely worth visiting.