Silverstone Circuit

[Bo_apex]

The former layout with Bridge was great fun and challenging. Now is pretty dull, especially when compared to Brands GP and Spa.

[mistakenplane]

The only interesting way to spectate there I generally find is walking around the circuit during longer races. When its quiet there's plenty of nice places to stand and observe, but yes, generally it is a horrible place to visit. And usually freezing!

[Mr Red Barron]

pablo said:

The grandstand on the inside of the circuit just after copse where the pit lane joins the circuit is a perfect spot to watch the silverstone classic, sit at the back and the DFVs resonate perfectly.

Silverstone Six? This was open for the BTCC....pretty rubbish for that but if you are at an event using the GP layout, you get to see most of the track. If you get one of the seats at the very top you can also turn round to see the old first corner running into maggots/becketts etc.

[TIGA84]

The Mean Machine said:

Is it just me or is Silverstone a boring flat track?

Went to the BTCC yesterday at Silverstone for the first time, a very disappointing track.
The grandstands were a long way from the action made worse by the excessive run off areas, both contributed to very detached viewing experience.
The pit straight had no screens so that explained why there was nobody in the grandstand.

Would not contemplate watching F1 there especially at the prices charged. Recently went to F1 at Spa, now that's a proper track!

You're not wrong, its even worse now. It's is an old airfield though, they tended to be pretty flat! Snetterton is the same, flat and dreary and both are fking freezing!!

[24lemons]

I'm very fond of Silverstone for numerous reasons but it is a frustrating place to visit. It's so spread out that it's an arse ache to get anywhere and it's so flat that good vantage points are few and far between.

It needs some decent raised spectator banks building, and not out of rubble and hardcore. While they are at it, plant a few (hundred) trees around the place. It might help to create shelter and it'll make the place a bit more attractive.

The temporary scaffolding stands that have become permanent in need to be replaced with something purpose built and befitting of a world class racing circuit. I fear that will never happen though.

[jonny142]

Silverstone to get Hilton hotel overlooking the International Pit Straight

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/eu...

[Nampahc Niloc]

jonny142 said:

Silverstone to get Hilton hotel overlooking the International Pit Straight

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/eu...

Well that would ruin your lie in on a Sunday morning.

[Nampahc Niloc]

jonny142 said:

Silverstone to get Hilton hotel overlooking the International Pit Straight

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/eu...

On a more serious note, do you think the foot bridge mentioned in that article (across the pit straight) will be open to us mere civilians? Presumably not at the Grand Prix, but I’m talking about other events. That’s my one biggest issue with the new circuit: the lack of bridge/tunnel giving access to the international paddock.

[generationx]

Nampahc Niloc said:

On a more serious note, do you think the foot bridge mentioned in that article (across the pit straight) will be open to us mere civilians? Presumably not at the Grand Prix, but I’m talking about other events. That’s my one biggest issue with the new circuit: the lack of bridge/tunnel giving access to the international paddock.

Plus one to this - otherwise it's a ***king long walk or a long wait for the "regular" shuttle bus. Why they haven't already put a bridge or tunnel here or nearby is beyond me.

Will this new building replace the pit straight grandstand too, or will there still be one as part of the design?

[Oilchange]

I reckon a tunnel would be super expensive to build and also think that in the last few years of the Ecclestone era he was fleecing so much money from the F1 deal that they didn’t have a pot to piss in...

[Kraken]

Oilchange said:

I reckon a tunnel would be super expensive to build and also think that in the last few years of the Ecclestone era he was fleecing so much money from the F1 deal that they didn’t have a pot to piss in...

That's more to do with the Governments attitude to F1 and motorsport in general compared to other countries really.

[HustleRussell]

I really like the GP circuit especially with the eased club chicane as per Historic events, a good mixture of corners, it's wide and varied enough to encourage overtaking. Copse, Stowe, Brooklands / Luffield are some of my favourite corners.

Viewing is pretty good from the stands after Copse from which you can see the exit of Copse then Maggotts, Becketts, Chapel and then the exit of Abbey through the Village section. The Brooklands stand is good too.

The National is obviously a fraction of the GP but does at least feature Copse and Brooklands / Luffield.

I hate the International circuit, I’d happily never race on it again.

I think the below is probably true of the GP, I’d love to drive something really fast around it.

Thurbs said:

I think you need a car with aero to really get the best from it.

[chunder27]

The lack of money is lot's of peoples fault. The deal now was done by the guy who resigned, it was an escalator and should never have been signed in the first place. They were paying Wales an amount for MotoGP rights as the track was never going to be built. that money should really be claimed back.

Can you blame the BRDC? Maybe.

The F1 race should simply be dropped as it literally has crippled the place financially over the last 20 years. MotoGP, Classic and numerous other events can help to bring some money back in.

Seriously, what is a hotel that is only going to be popular for a few weekends a year (at no doubt immensely inflated prices for those ) going to offer? Who would want to stay there mid week or any other time?

This is not the Nordschliefe, it is not a popular resort for petrolheads like the Ring is. The whole area around the Ring is tourism based, that will never happen at Silverstone. It's a drab, poorly designed track on an airfield. A hotel would last a few years before closing.

[Oilchange]

Well, interesting you ask.
On race weekends I’d normally sleep in a tent on my trailer. Having a cheap hotel room would be very tempting just to get a good nights kip prior to a long race day. Essential when you’re a one man band.
My mechanic mate would pop along for support and sharing a room would be worth tye money.

Edited by Oilchange on Wednesday 12th September 13:34

[chunder27]

Well that is presuming it would be cheap.

I suppose if you are circuit racing anyway, budgets are less tight so a room might be more likely to be taken?

[anonymous-user]

Kraken said:

Oilchange said:

I reckon a tunnel would be super expensive to build and also think that in the last few years of the Ecclestone era he was fleecing so much money from the F1 deal that they didn’t have a pot to piss in...

That's more to do with the Governments attitude to F1 and motorsport in general compared to other countries really.

Well, if that’s the case and you’re suggesting taxpayer support for the GP, then good for the government.

The very last thing taxpayers’ money should be spent on IMO is a sport awash with cash.

[chunder27]

And awash with dodgy cash

If you look at a few big events, you can almost smell the laundry!

[andrewcliffe]

I'm sure a hotel would be popular. If priced correctly it could have a high occupancy rate Thursdays through to Sunday mornings during the summer race season. Track day participants may like a restful nights sleep during the rest of the week - and there are plenty of travelling business people with corporate hilton accounts.

[teamHOLDENracing]

The hotel won’t just be about race weekends- Silverstone let The Wing as a conference venue so there will be demand for rooms for this. Makes sense

[chunder27]

But the Wing is miles away from this hotel?

I do see what people mean, just can't see it being packed every day like one near a busy motorway junction would be. And can you imagine how much any room would be during F1, or classic weekends.

It will be laughably dear