- 2022 edition back to full capacity
- Parade, music concert and supercar expo all part of diverse line-up
- After-dark pit and track walk to bring public even closer to the action
- Tickets still available for legendary endurance race’s 74th running
The TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa will be at full strength this summer thanks to a comprehensive line-up of off-track activities, many of which are back on the menu following a two-year break.
The entertainment on offer is much more than a way to stay busy between track action. Indeed, it has grown into an important tradition in its own right, becoming as much a part of the event as the race itself.
Perhaps the most famous is the parade to Spa town centre, which stages its comeback on Wednesday afternoon. As always, a huge convoy of cars will make its way from Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This will include all 66 competitors from this year's race, iconic racing machinery from the past courtesy of GT Anniversary 2022, as well as representatives from all support series.
This is as much about the public as the machines they turn out to see. Spectators line the road into town, creating a festival atmosphere that grows stronger as the journey reaches its conclusion. As in previous years, the parade will be followed by an autograph session in the central square, giving fans a chance to meet their heroes and see the cars up close. Best of all, participation is completely free.
The other major comeback is the Saturday night music concert. Tipik Electro Night will feature several well-known artists from the European scene, kicking off at 20:30 with USX & Izoard and followed at 22:00 by Jeremie Charlier and MC Shurakano.
The main event is set for 23:00 when deep house superstar The Avener steps up for his headline set. Best known for the hits Fade Out Lines and Castle in the Snow, his 90-minute performance will take fans past midnight and is followed by yet more live music from Calumny. Entrance to the concert is included in the price of a general admission ticket for the full weekend.
Another popular tradition returns for 2022, with a spectacular fireworks display set to take place at 22:30 on Saturday, lighting up the night sky while the race continues below. Among the places to watch from, the grandstands at Raidillon and opposite both the Endurance and F1 pits will be open, with access to all three included in the price of a general admission ticket.
The TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa has long worked to bring fans closer to the action and that will be the case again in 2022. On Friday, once track activity is complete, fans will be able to admire the cars in their garages while mechanics work on the eve of the big race. What’s more, they will have an opportunity to walk on the legendary circuit, getting a unique feel for the challenge of Spa-Francorchamps after dark.
Whether there are cars on-track or not, it's worth making a stop at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa Fan Village. Located at the bottom of Raidillon, this includes something for every taste: simulators, face-painting for kids, merchandising stalls, food and drink stands, and much more. If you want to enjoy your lunch with a spectacular view head to the Pit Brasserie, which provides great food within sight of Raidillon and the Bus Stop, while there are plenty more places to refuel located around the venue
The Fanatec Esports Arena is also worth a look, particularly if you’re a gaming aficionado or looking to get into sim racing. The purpose-built Arena is transported to each Fanatec Endurance event, acting both as a gaming space and a meeting point throughout the weekend.
Its distinctive glass-fronted structure is easy to spot in the paddock. Step inside and you'll find more than 20 state-of-the-art sim rigs on which real-world drivers will contest Friday's Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series race. It's also set to stage a special SRO Esports event on Saturday evening, with top sim racers competing for a prize pool totalling €14,500.
At the other end of the spectrum, a historic GT event organised by Peter Auto will join this year's programme to celebrate 30 years of SRO Motorsports Group. GT Anniversary 2022 will bring some incredible historic machinery to the track. Aside from their appointments on the circuit, including the very last race before the main event on Saturday, some cars will also take part in Wednesday's parade.
Located at the heart of the venue, Paddock Rouge will feature a supercar expo that includes the stunning Pagani Huayra R and the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series, which recently made its competition debut in the Fanatec GT2 European Series. We can also expect to see some significant new cars on display from major manufacturers, so make sure a visit to Paddock Rouge is on your to-do list.
Fans of high-spec machinery should also note that the Fanatec GT2 European Series will be on show during the week. The championship contests its fourth round of 2022 on the weekend before the 24 Hours, as part of Spa Speedweek (22-24 July). Afterwards they will remain at the venue, giving the public a chance to admire exotic racing machinery from Audi, Brabham, KTM, Lamborghini and Porsche.
In fact, you can take a walk around any of the support series paddocks. Lamborghini Super Trofeo is a supercar fan’s dream, while the GT4 European Series will have a bumper grid at Spa thanks to additional entries from GT4 Scandinavia. You can also assess the latest developments in junior single-seater racing by checking out the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and Championnat de France FFSA F4 paddocks.
If that’s not enough, you can test your own driving skills at the kart circuit, which will be open throughout the weekend. With such a wide variety of things to see and do, the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa really is much more than the biggest GT race in the world. While the action on the circuit ultimately takes centre stage, it is the depth of entertainment that gives the event its character. This year will feel more special than ever as the off-track aspect makes a full comeback.