Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

Spa-Francorchamps is a circuit in Eastern Belgium, which features in Gran Turismo 5 as part of the first set of DLC, released on 18 October 2011. It is also available in Gran Turismo 6, with weather and a day/night cycle, which can be used to recreate the real-life 24-hour race.

Sector 1
The Spa-Francorchamps begins with a short run from the start line to a very tight, off-camber, right-hand hairpin (La Source). In reality, this is a very risky overtaking spot which usually results in multiple collisions at the start of a race. Out of La Source, the track proceeds downhill, past the pit-lane exit, before reaching the most famous corner on the circuit, Eau Rouge. This corner, named after the red water stream which runs alongside the track at this point, is a steep, sweeping uphill right hand turn, leading into a blind left hander at the crest (Raidillon). Following this is the long 1.2 mile Kemmel Straight, climbing steeply uphill to the end of sector 1.

Sector 2
Sector 2 begins just before the heavy braking zone for Les Combes, a mid-speed right-left-right switchback which requires a lot of skill. Braking problems are not uncommon here, as the brakes are cold having not been used since La Source. Out of Les Combes is a short run to Bruxelles, a very tricky, off-camber right hander which steeply falls away towards the outside of the track. As a result, drivers running wide here will have a hard time staying out of the gravel trap. This then leads downhill into a fast left hander.

Following this is a short straight, ending in Pouhon. Pouhon is a very fast double-apex left hander. It is quite common for inexperienced drivers to outbrake themselves on this tricky corner and run wide. Fortunately there is plenty of tarmac runoff.

After a short climb lies the campus chicane. Taken at medium speed, taking the correct line here is imperative, because a driver taking too much from the right hander is compromised into the left hander. The left turn of Campus leads almost directly into the braking zone for Stavelot, a tight right-hander which marks the end of the very long Sector 2.

Sector 3
Following Stavelot is a short straight leading to a high-speed right hander (Paul Frere). This corner is often taken flat out, as are the next two. First of these is a slight left hander, followed by a much tighter left (Blanchimont) which can also be take flat out in a well set up car. At the end of this section is a very heavy braking zone for a very tight right-left chicane (originally called Bus-Stop, now simply Chicane following numerous changes). The very tight pit lane entry now appears on the right, as the main track straightens out to the finish line.