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Spa-Francorchamps

The legendary Spa-Francorchamps racing circuit in Belgium is finally getting a much-needed renovation ahead of the planned return of two-wheel racing in 2022.

Crews already began the extensive work of the circuit at the end of last year as preparation for the 2022 Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Endurance World Championship (or FIM EWC) scheduled to take place on June 2, 2022.

Spa CEO Natalie Maillet oversaw an intention to renovate the track back in 2019, but her tragic death at the hands of her husband jeopardized the plan.

However, Maillet’s dream to modernize Spa-Francorchamps is now back on track (no pun intended) which will cost around EUR25 million (RM115mil).

The main criteria of the renovations are to upgrade the condition of the facilities and increase the safety aspect of the surrounding area.

Careful analysis of how and why racers have crashed, including meeting the circuit certification requirements from FIM and FIA, is extensively considered during the renovations.

The upgrades also include a state-of-the-art medical facility.

The plan is to prepare the track for the FIM and FIA inspections in April 2022.

Europe’s most iconic circuit, Spa-Francorchamps just turned 100 years old this week and as a commemoration, a specially built Honda CBR1000RR-R is chosen to honour the racetrack.

Introducing the Honda CBR1000RR-R Spa 100, a track-only machine built by DG Sport to pay homage to the Belgian circuit.

While it may look identical to the stock CBR1000RR-R, DG Sport has done massive changes in order to turn it into a track weapon.

As usual, the first to go is the side mirrors, lights and number plate holder.

Next, the Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) is slotted with Öhlins cartridges into the 43mm front fork along with an Öhlins TTX rear shock and steering damper.

DG Sport proceed to remove the ABS system entirely and replaced all the hoses with braided parts while adding a Corsacorta master cylinder.

Meanwhile, the engine also received huge upgrades, thanks to a new HRC engine management sytem and a full exhaust system from Arrow.

While further details are still unknown, we can be sure the special edition Honda CBR1000RR-R Spa 100 is considerably lighter and more powerful than the stock machine.

By the way, with just 10 units built, we are pretty sure the bike is sold out the moment you finished reading this.

 

Selekoh Eau-Rouge di litar Spa-Francorchamps
  • Litar Spa-Francorchamps di Belgium kini sedang dinaiktaraf untuk kejohanan MotoGP dan EWC.
  • Litar ini masih memegang rekod untuk perlumbaan GP motosikal terpantas.
  • Perlumbaan GP motosikal terakhir di litar berkenaan telah dilangsungkan pada tahun 1987.

(more…)

  • The Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium is being upgraded to being MotoGP and EWC back.

  • The circuit still holds the record for the fastest motorcycle GP race.

  • The last motorcycle GP race held there was in 1987.

Belgium is working to upgrade the Spa-Francorchamps circuit for MotoGP and FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC).

The government of Wallonia region announced that the circuit had been granted a €29.5 million loan to make the circuit safe for motorcycle racing. The loan is part of an €80 million financial package to upgrade and modernize the track and bring international motorcycle racing back to Belgium.

The objective is to hold the WEC in 2022 and MotoGP in 2024.

According to sources, upgrading the track is a daunting task as the circuit winds through the Belgian Ardennes. The area is wooded and has steep hills. (The Battle of the Bulge in World War 2 happened in this vicinity.) As such, there isn’t much room for runoffs. Being a forest and highlands also means lots of rain. There is an average of 12 rainy days per month.

However, Spa-Francorchamps is famous for featuring high-speed racing. Eau Rouge, Radillon and Blanchimont are the fastest corners of all tracks. But there is little room for mistakes due to limited runoff areas.

In fact, Spa holds the fastest average speed in the history of Grand Prix racing. Barry Sheene lapped the circuit at an average of 220.721 km/h, when it was still 14.1 kilometres long.

The last time GP motorcycles raced at Spa was in 1987 after being held there for 40 times. The FIM deemed the track too dangerous after remedial works weren’t carried out. It has been a regular venue for Formula 1 since then.

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