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Monday, 06 April 2020 18:16

Spa-Francorchamps Circuit Museum

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The Spa-Francorchamps circuit was created in the early 20’s using the streets of the three villages Malmedy, Stavelot and Francorchamps. The Spa-Francorchamps Circuit Museum was opened to the public in 1984. Since 2002, it has been part of the ETC (Espace-Tourisme-Culture) museum complex located in the Abbey of Stavelot, which also houses the Museum of the Principality and the Guillaume Apollinaire Museum.
The museum, located in the cellars of the basement at the Abbey of Stavelot, provides the visitors an excellent insight into racing and the long history of the Spa Francorchamps race track. The collection features above all racing vehicles –cars and motorbikes- that illustrate the history of motorsport at Spa-Francorchamps.                                                                                                                Most of these cars and motorbikes all belong to private collectors and 95% are in perfect working order. Sometimes they leave the museum for several weeks or months as the owners wants to drive them in classic rallies or historic races. Other cars or motorbikes will replace them instead so there’s a constantly changing collection on view.                                                                                                                
Two Belgium marques of motorbikes are well represented, Saroléa and FN. Saroléa was the first Belgian producer of motorcycles, and one of the first producers of motorcycles in the world. Saroléa was established in 1850 as a weapons factory and started bicycle production in 1892. The Saroléa factory closed it’s doors in 1953. The FN (Fabrique Nationale) company established in 1889 making weapons and ammunition. As well as weapons, it was for many years a manufacturer of motorbikes and of automobiles. The FN was the first producer of an inline-four engine for a motorcycle.                                                                                                                                                                                                  
The cellars form a real labyrinth of memorabilia and homage galleries to the many famous drivers which raced at this circuit. The collection includes also interactive sections, a cinematic room to see a lap on the track and Playstation 4 consoles to make the track even more concrete for small enthusiasts.
The abbey of Stavelot is a beautiful building with several exhibitions and the Spa-Francorchamps museum in the cellar is definitely a must for car enthusiasts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Pictures by Guus Docen
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Read 2051 times Last modified on Monday, 06 April 2020 18:51