Silverstone F1 - First Timer

[burns863]

I'm going to the British F1 Grand Prix for the first time and wondered if anyone can give me any advice/tips to get the most out of the weekend?

I have a 3 day general admission ticket, plus camping at Whittlebury. Planning to get to the campsite on Thursday night as thats the earliest I can get there. What can I expect from the campsite? Are the facilities any good? I expect with so many people, the toilets/showers are a little dirty?

Also been wondering about security. Are cars parked within the pitch (ie next to my tent), or are they some distance away in a car park?

In terms of getting to the track, I guess I need to be heading over early to pick a spot? I was at Silverstone for the GT1 Championship a few weekends back and found that Hangar Straight and Stowe to be where all the action was. I'm guessing this will be a popular spot?

Can't wait to go! Lets hope its warm and sunny and a more exciting race than Valencia earlier today Any advice would be hugely appreciated!

[GAjon]

Facilities at Whittlebury are pretty good, the toilets & showers are maintained, but you do have to time your run slot of people going to the same event. You park your car at your pitch and Whittlebury security and the local police patrol the site.
Take headphones for your phone and tune into radio Silverstone or take a radio with headset.
Insect repelant, toilet roll and wet wipes are always useful.
Oh and 60 cans of lager.

[MondeoMan1981]

Sun lotion and a hat are a must. My first time I had no sun lotion on the Saturday and by Sunday morning I was burnt to a crisp.

About 60% of my face peeled in the end!

[Sir Bagalot]

Silverstone is about the only place you can get soaked to the skin, sunburnt and get windburn all on the same day. Enjoy

[CurvaParabolica]

I went to Silverstone for my first F1 weekend last year and it was simply the best weekend of my life. Swore to myself that I wouldn't go back to the UK GP any time soon as I wanted to preserve my memory of the weekend and not sully it or risk the second time not being as good as the first (as petty as that may sound).

Can't really give any tips on how to get the best out of it; we flew in on the Friday, watched practice/support races and wondered around the site until the big day, then had to fly straight home after the race. One thing I will say; nothing prepares your senses for the first time you hear an F1 engine up close! Not just the noise, but the smell (and the taste)! Got there mid-day Friday, sitting in the grandstand at the start of what is now the old start/finish straight; Alonso rags it around the bend on to the straight and there is a massive exhaust pop. A few seconds later we get blasted in the face with a breeze that smells densely of petrol and motor oil.

Like I say, best. weekend. ever. Enjoy!

[burns863]

Didn't expect such a quick response! Thanks!

"Toilet rolls and baby wipes" ....these are the key tips I need!!

Really glad sun lotion was mentioned, that's something that I would likely have forgot.

Everything I've heard about the weekend sounds brilliant, I actually cannot wait. And yes, I'm massively excited to hear the noise of 24 F1 cars billowing around the circuit! Been told I should take ear plugs. Good advice? Haha

Any tips on locations then? Like I say, I'm expecting Stowe to be an awesome place watch out the race! I guess Friday will be a good day to scope out other potential good spots

I've noticed people talking on forums about where abouts in Whittlebury park they have a pitch. As far as I know my ticket doesn't give any details other than the campsite name. Is it just first come first served with the pitch locations then? Hoping that getting there on Thursday evening isn't going to leave me with no choice!

[Streps]

I was up at stowe in 08
I managed to get sunburn in the rain
I'd grab a waterproof just to be sure after that.

It's just fantastic up there.
it's worth bringing a fold up chair
so you can wonder around aswell.

[burns863]

Got some waterproofs! Didn't fancy trusting our English weather.

I've been thinking about food. I'm planning to get a small fold away BBQ and have a camping stove to take. After I was there for the GT's earlier this month and saw the food prices, I didn't fancy buying everything!

In general, how do you find the people? Should I expect drunken chavs? Haha

[rhysenna]

We always take a small gas stove with us. Fire it up once you've got your spot and stick the sausages/kettle on.

The prices for the food are ridiculous. Take your own and as said before, plenty of beer. Enjoy.

[Streps]

I found it warm and friendly.
You will get some idiots trying to sell and buy tickets but it's common with any big event.

Once you are in the circuit it's just fantastic.

No drunken chavs in my experience.
Just some weird ferrari guys who give Hamilton the finger every lap.

[anonymous-user]

On the Saturday and Sunday wake up very early if you don't want to be sitting 6 miles back from the circuit.
On the Friday however just stroll in about half 9 10ish, a lot more relaxed then.

[burns863]

rhysenna said:

We always take a small gas stove with us. Fire it up once you've got your spot and stick the sausages/kettle on.

The prices for the food are ridiculous. Take your own and as said before, plenty of beer. Enjoy.

Gas Stove, Sausages and Beer. Got it

Streps said:

I found it warm and friendly.
You will get some idiots trying to sell and buy tickets but it's common with any big event.

Once you are in the circuit it's just fantastic.

No drunken chavs in my experience.
Just some weird ferrari guys who give Hamilton the finger every lap.

Bit weird. Each to their own though! One thing I love about F1 (and motorsport in general) is how fans of different drivers/teams can generally sit together in the same grandstand or on the same corner. Not like football where fans have to be separated!

This thread has made me even more excited to go now

[GAjon]

My brothers coming with me and my two sons this year, he's never been to F1.
For FP1 I'm taking him to maggots, the approach to becketts and chapel for his first view, I can guarantee a 'fkin hell'!

[burns863]

PSBuckshot said:

On the Saturday and Sunday wake up very early if you don't want to be sitting 6 miles back from the circuit.
On the Friday however just stroll in about half 9 10ish, a lot more relaxed then.

I seemed to miss this post!

Thanks for the advice I guessed this would be the case. 7am ish?

[burns863]

GAjon said:

My brothers coming with me and my two sons this year, he's never been to F1.
For FP1 I'm taking him to maggots, the approach to becketts and chapel for his first view, I can guarantee a 'fkin hell'!

I imagine I'll be the same The GT's were pretty loud but I'm told it's nothing compared to an F1 car!

[darren f]

GAjon said:

My brothers coming with me and my two sons this year, he's never been to F1.
For FP1 I'm taking him to maggots, the approach to becketts and chapel for his first view, I can guarantee a 'fkin hell'!

Becketts is a great "come and see what F1 cars can do" spot. Another suggestion for maximum breath-taking effect- if you can (Friday maybe?) try to get a spot looking down the old start finish straight looking towards Copse Corner- you would not believe the speed of the direction change into the right hander... 170mph turn-in, simply amazing.

[n3il123]

burns863 said:

I imagine I'll be the same The GT's were pretty loud but I'm told it's nothing compared to an F1 car!

F1 cars are LOUD... I was standing at the back of the grid on the TV building at Donington '93 for the start, the volume of 26 (?) f1 cars plus the echo of the metal building has actually damaged my right ear. So N3's advice take some ear plugs at least for the first couple of laps!!

[Killer2005]

darren f said:

GAjon said:

My brothers coming with me and my two sons this year, he's never been to F1.
For FP1 I'm taking him to maggots, the approach to becketts and chapel for his first view, I can guarantee a 'fkin hell'!

Becketts is a great "come and see what F1 cars can do" spot. Another suggestion for maximum breath-taking effect- if you can (Friday maybe?) try to get a spot looking down the old start finish straight looking towards Copse Corner- you would not believe the speed of the direction change into the right hander... 170mph turn-in, simply amazing.

Copse is always the first place I have headed. Seeing them chuck the car in at such speeds is always amazing.

[nick997]

I've got three day tickets plus camping too, is it worth taking mountain bikes for getting round the circuit on the Friday and Saturday to check out the action from various points or is it too busy to use them?

[Killer2005]

nick997 said:

I've got three day tickets plus camping too, is it worth taking mountain bikes for getting round the circuit on the Friday and Saturday to check out the action from various points or is it too busy to use them?

I'd say very useful. Race day is usually far too busy for them, but would definitely be worthwhile on Friday and Saturday. However I've seen mention of a bus service going round the track from the Moto GP Silverstone threads