The Spa-Francorchamps

The Spa-Francorchamps is a legendary circuit of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, and is one of my favorite leg with its challenging route, and to think it was nearly canceled from the F1 calendar due to the locals complaining of the noise generated from the circuit.

Of course I feel for the residents living nearby, but to ignore the history behind the Spa, and the huge economic benefits from F1 to local races held there, well that’s just plain ignorant.

So Philippe Henry, the Walloon regional Minister of the Environment, Planning and Mobility has decided to renew the track license up till March 2011.

Of course the renewal comes with a compromise as the circuit will have at least two weekends in the summer months when there will be no racing at all, plus beyond March 2011, an independent company set up to monitor the noise produced by the circuit will decide if future permits should be given.

Oh well I do hope to see The Spa beyond 2011 of course, perhaps granting the circuit as a national historical landmark might help. It’s just a suggestion.