I went to the first services on the A43 at just before 0800. We were parked up and in the circuit in time for the GP2 races at 0930 (which included filling with fuel at the services). Perfectly OK by me.

As mentioned above, the signage could have been improved on the way.

Fields were water logged but the marshalling to park was good.

On the way out, the biggest issue was a lack of sensible marshalling at the exits from the parking lanes and general exits. There seemed to be quite a few people stood around not doing much, and one or two of those who were trying to do something weren't really paying attention to alternating the queues exiting which got a few people pretty pissed off (there was very nearly a dust up as a white Mazda pretty much tried to run over a marshall. Thankfully he was forced to stop and hopefully got into deep bother for being a dhead).

It took 90mins to do the same stretch that had taken 60 mins in the morning.

Even with the weather it was significantly better than I remember it all being 15 yrs ago.

Well I'm sorry but I think the organisation of this event takes the pi$$. OK, getting in wasn't too bad - sat in slow moving queue for 1 hour. I had a general admission ticket which I know is the cheapo option but it still cost £150 - for this I expect a decent view and not to wait 45mins for the toliet to find none of them work, etc. Been to Le Mans & Wales Rally GB loads of times (and many other big sporting events) and all are great value compared to a GP at Silverstone. I think its a disgrace. Not normally one for moaning but we had such a guts full of the non-existent services that left before the end of the race and we were not the only ones. On our way out, I couldn't believe how many people there were that couldn't see the circuit so were either looking at the TV screens or just listening to the cars behind the stands. This event is corporate or don't bother. No doubt many enjoyed it but I had not been for 10 years and won't be going again whilst still at Silverstone. Because we left early, at least we got home in time to watch the end of the tennis (poor old murray but you gave it your best shot and made the country proud unlike silverstone). I feel totally ripped off at £300 for the two of us. Just watched highlights and it looked like a decent race - pity Silverstone won't invest in some decent spectator facilities.so that everyone can enjoy the experience.

Rant over, feel a bit better now. I'll await the response from the Silverstone lovers!!

Left a hotel nr Oxford at 6.30 and was parked and in circuit at 7.30. Left after the race and was in Reading at 5pm. I think they did well all things considered.

Got in at 5:20 after queuing for no more than 10 minutes. Parked up on the tarmac bumper to bumper no problem. Marshalls gave us sensible gaps between the cars.

Was told we would receive a time when we would be able to leave as they'd clear the tarmac row by row(Good luck). Instead I had to zig zag in reverse through a maze of empty spaces about 30 minutes after the race. Once out the car park is was a piece of cake getting back to the M1.



Considering what they had been through I'd say it was a pretty good job done by the guys at Silverstone(except for the food, naturally)

You should have gone to RIAT!

It is not the headline cost that bothers me, but the poor value for money and the rude and grasping attitude of the staff and merchandisers. Being treated like a criminal as you are about to hand over silly money for hats etc for children is not delightful.

As for the food, compare Twickenham, where much better quality burgers etc are on offer.

To be fair, Twickenham is hardly haute cuisine either. And the prices won't be attracting the homeless too.

I treat "event" food like I do airline food. I know it's not going to be restaurant quality. Even Uncle Jim's kebab house restaurant quality. But it's a damn site better than it was 15yrs and depending on what you choose it can taste perfectly edible (though probably worthy of picture on the fast food thread in the food section!).

The price of it is not on (8.50 for a small box of fish and chips?). But again I don't think Bernie is blameless here. If he didn't charge so much, ticket prices and all the fripperies wouldn't need to be so expensive either. (Whether they would be or not is an open question!).

On the merchandising front, I'm sure caps were only £10 or £15 not so very long ago. £30 for a cheap tat baseball cap is a con though. And it seems to be geared towards those who can least afford it.

In general, the level of disorganisation was notable. No one seemed to be managing the car parks, for example. In some of the the hard car parks, people were being allowed to leave enormous gaps between cars. It was very irksome to have to walk with tired children past closed hard car parks with many spaces in them. It might have been an idea to put all the SUVs in the fields (although it may be that most SUV drivers do not know how to operate them off road). At one field, they decided "no BMWs", which was sensible enough, but made other RWD cars use it (mine included) . Inside the circuit, the staff had little idea what was where. We were given incorrect directions three times, the little maps issued with tickets being insufficiently detailed, and the sign posting sparse. For some reason, the stand we had tickets in is not listed on the small maps or on the signs.

My comparison with Twickenham is that the ticket price there is high but feels more like value for money. The place is better organised, and the fast food is of edible quality. I expect merchandising prices to be daft, but do not expect the hostility of the staff selling the tat, treating customers as chavs who were about to run off with the goods.

Overall, Silverstone conveys an air of the managers not giving a monkeys. It's just :"give us your money, now **** off". I think that the current management is the issue. I attended a wet GP at the circuit some years back, which was much better organised.

Hey, I started this thread and I'm a Welsh rugby fan so can we stop drawing comparison's with Twickenham and draw comparison's with the Millenium Stadium please!!!

Tickets for middle tier at the Millenium are now £75 which I am starting to get peed off with however no longer - compared with the GP it is bargain. Millenium has a great view and (apart from just before KO or halftime), you don't have to queue for the toliets (which do work at the millenium) or food.

After yesterday, I would not go to Silverstone for a GP even if I had a free enclousure ticket!

Surely they can do something with Rockingham???!!

That has to be the most poor excuse I have heard in along while. It was an airfield about 50 years and since - apparently - has gone through upgrades. If its not purpose built for F1 then it should not be hosting the event or charging so much money.

Maybe it is unfair to draw on comparisons with rugby however value for money, Le Mans wins hands down and caters for almost twice the number of attendees much better than Silverstone.

£150 for a ticket is a rip off - I wouldn't go again for free but can see why people would pay £30 or £40 but no where near £150. Thats my point which I've made so sill shut up now.

Cheers