The GFOS Experts' Morning Approach

[wilbo83]

I will be travelling from Reading tomorrow morning to the FOS. Whilst I will be leaving early, 5.30ish, which of the routes below will be best?

My preference is the B3349 through Alton and then join the A3 north of Petersfield but worried about any road closures from that point onwards. The other option is the highlighted one using the A3 then South through Midhurst (read that Hindhead tunnel is closed until 9am which may affect this route though).

[SydneyBridge]

I live in Basingstoke and go via alton and selbourne to the A3 and off at Petersfield and then via Midhurst and over the top at singleton. Left at 6 on Thurs and took an hour, no problems. Also done it on a Sunday before easily

[mistakenplane]

Hindhead stretch closed so you can't do that one.

[wilbo83]

SydneyBridge said:

I live in Basingstoke and go via alton and selbourne to the A3 and off at Petersfield and then via Midhurst and over the top at singleton. Left at 6 on Thurs and took an hour, no problems. Also done it on a Sunday before easily

So this way?


That looks ideal as I know that route fairly well.

[SydneyBridge]

Yeah. I have never had any huge problems getting in over the top past the horse racing course. Gets you into the car park by formula one paddock as well, which is the best time of day to look round there.

[RichB]

SydneyBridge said:

...over the top past the horse racing course. Gets you into the car park by formula one paddock ...

So do you hang a left at the back of the racecourse instead of going down past the Kennels? I went over the top at the back of the racecourse and then down past the Kennels, turned left into a field and would up walking into the event across the golf course, past the back of the Goodwood hotel and in by the Moving Motor Show. Was ok because as a GRRC member I got forward parking.

[SydneyBridge]

Thurs is different because they only have one car park in use.
from Fri to sun there is a car park entrance before the kennels as you go down the hill.
you then get in just above the F1 paddock

[F355GTS]

wilbo83 said:

SydneyBridge said:

I live in Basingstoke and go via alton and selbourne to the A3 and off at Petersfield and then via Midhurst and over the top at singleton. Left at 6 on Thurs and took an hour, no problems. Also done it on a Sunday before easily

So this way?


That looks ideal as I know that route fairly well.

We went in via Singleton this morning arriving at 9.15 with zero queuing, even Midhurst was flowing freely. Left at 4.30 out from Kennels via East Lavant and again no traffic at all

[johnnymaestro]

I came in via Farham and Midhurst this morning. Drove straight in with no traffic. Was the same when leaving too.

[ecsrobin]

If people actually left early and follow the marked signs there will be no problem. You only get traffic issues when arriving from 9am. The problem is not helped by people following sat navs or not following the marked signs. This event has been going on long enough to establish a good road system in and out if obeyed.

Also as stated previously in this forum. Stop posting the local routes. The more these get publicised the more the locals and the odd PH member have of seeing these roads closed entirely for the event, not only ruining it for spectators but also making the locals very anti FOS. How would you like it with 1000's of cars passing your house at 8am on a Sunday?

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

I've been telling people on this forum about the back route for 5+ years...it's never too busy.
There is a similar shortcut to RIAT that bypasses the 2+ hour queue by using minor roads instead of the main drag.

[wessbee]

Arrived at 9:00 Friday morning drove straight in, worst traffic was normal rush hour traffic at Bognor. Had a lie in Saturday morning left home (Rustington) about 12 miles away at 10:20 parked at 10:45, no traffic anywhere.
Did seem a lot quieter this year especially Friday, have they reduced the number of tickets available?

[richebets]

wessbee said:

Arrived at 9:00 Friday morning drove straight in, worst traffic was normal rush hour traffic at Bognor. Had a lie in Saturday morning left home (Rustington) about 12 miles away at 10:20 parked at 10:45, no traffic anywhere.
Did seem a lot quieter this year especially Friday, have they reduced the number of tickets available?

Yes friday more like the old days ! tickets have been very limited this year not only have free promos stopped on the wider press and web sites, even the local paper offer had a Very limited amount of tickets this year !!

[zoonyx]

Bit late now obviously, but for next year I'm in agreement with what has been said above - Always approach from the North via Midhurst. Never consider the A27 - disaster. Also if you're near the racecourse and LEAVING, head EAST (rather than the normal west, the way you probably came in. Left at a crossroads, LEFT, LEFT, LEFT and eventually you end up at the front of the queue (at the main turn off on the midhurst road). We drove straight in and out both friday and saturday.

[Alex]

I left campsite H on Sunday morning and headed West/North. Annoyingly, the road was closed, and the marshals directed me through the car park on the right. As I was on my way home, the LAST thing I wanted to do was get stuck in parking traffic, but it was OK.