Silverstone Festival (Classic) August 2023

Silverstone Festival (Classic) August 2023

Author
Discussion

ncjones

Original Poster:

256 posts

217 months

Wednesday 14th June 2023
quotequote all
Anyone going to this?

As the proud new owner of a Porsche I’m planning to take advantage of the car club display ticket option.

I’ll be going with my 13 year old son.

I wondering whether to go for the day on Saturday, staying into the evening, or the whole weekend. How have you found it, particularly if you’ve gone with young teenagers previously?

If we camp at the main site at Silverstone Golf Course can I get in and leave with the car all over the weekend? I’m thinking of getting there Friday mid afternoon and leave Sunday afternoon.

I’m assuming, if I decide it’s worth it, I’ll be able to move my car to the Porsche display area first thing Saturday (cars have to be there before 0900 and left until after 1730hrs)? Has anyone done similar in previous years? Main thing related to this we’re interested in is the opportunity to do a parade lap on the Saturday.

Any other tips?

stevemcs

8,718 posts

95 months

Wednesday 14th June 2023
quotequote all
Don't forget you can also camp at Whittlebury and Woodlands.


ncjones

Original Poster:

256 posts

217 months

Wednesday 14th June 2023
quotequote all
Thanks. I was clearly being lazy and just looking to book camping with the tickets via the main website.

They’re all similar prices, with Whittlebury a bit cheaper any particular pros and cons?

tonymor

1,485 posts

174 months

Thursday 15th June 2023
quotequote all
I’ve been several times over the years with bmw car club.
My personal opinion is that in the last few years there have been less stalls and stands to browse, not that is the reason not to go but I’ve found in one day you can get to see everything on offer including the excellent racing.

ncjones

Original Poster:

256 posts

217 months

Thursday 15th June 2023
quotequote all
Thanks. Current thoughts are to go just for the day on the Saturday.

ChrisJ.

564 posts

242 months

Saturday 22nd July 2023
quotequote all
Only smartphone owners can get through the gate now at the Silverstone (Classic) Festival.
It's just been announced.

stevemcs

8,718 posts

95 months

Saturday 22nd July 2023
quotequote all
Same for moto go, the tickets appear in the app

ChrisJ.

564 posts

242 months

Sunday 23rd July 2023
quotequote all
stevemcs said:
Same for moto go, the tickets appear in the app
Not on my Nokia 3510i they won't.
I've asked Silverstone if they'll buy me a new phone.

ChrisJ.

564 posts

242 months

Monday 24th July 2023
quotequote all
'Looks like there may be a chance to get through the gate ok with no smartphone.
I'll update when I find out more. 'Not that there's many other dumbphone only users?

Spy

1,306 posts

209 months

Tuesday 25th July 2023
quotequote all
If you go with PCGB, you can participate in a Parade Lap on Saturday to celebrate 75 years of Porsche

Skylinecrazy

13,986 posts

196 months

Thursday 27th July 2023
quotequote all
Silverstone is bland.

Bar that, it’s a good event. Plenty of space to wander and virtually no one ventures onto the outside of the circuit, so perfect if you don’t like people. Easily the biggest grids of historic racing outside of Goodwood.

The grids have changed a fair bit in the last few years. Group C, Super tourers and other series have made guest appearances.

Easily worth £100 if you consider the price of the FOS which is wonderful if you want to watch 50% of the cars being driven at about 10% of their ability. At least at the Silverstone Classic you’ll see cars being driven properly, and it attracts the top tier of historic/modern racing drivers.

SV_WDC

722 posts

91 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2023
quotequote all
tonymor said:
I’ve been several times over the years with bmw car club.
My personal opinion is that in the last few years there have been less stalls and stands to browse, not that is the reason not to go but I’ve found in one day you can get to see everything on offer including the excellent racing.
The reason for visiting over multiple days previously was to see qualifying, multiple races/parades & go round at a more leisurely pace.

OP - they have bands and music on in the evening which caters to the family atmosphere they're going for. Could be fun.

Unfortunately a few years ago the powers that be decided that - despite being a massive event in terms of numbers - they wanted to scale it back massively so certain decisions started to put a large number of people off & numbers dropped massively. Not sure how leisurely you'd have to go round now to feel like you've enjoyed the weekend and not overstayed the experience. I guess with camping you might be able to leave the circuit and chill out for a bit.

Platinum

2,101 posts

225 months

Saturday 5th August 2023
quotequote all
ChrisJ. said:
'Looks like there may be a chance to get through the gate ok with no smartphone.
I'll update when I find out more. 'Not that there's many other dumbphone only users?
Is there any update on this? I can't recall the ticket page stating you'd need a smartphone to get into the event!

The FAQs say what to do if your guest doesn't have a smartphone, but don't seem to mention how the purchaser (also without a smartphone) can get into the event.

stevemcs

8,718 posts

95 months

Saturday 5th August 2023
quotequote all
Someone managed to get out today without a smart phone, they had a vip pass and a qr code to scan. (Moto gp)

ChrisJ.

564 posts

242 months

Sunday 6th August 2023
quotequote all
Platinum said:
Is there any update on this? I can't recall the ticket page stating you'd need a smartphone to get into the event!

The FAQs say what to do if your guest doesn't have a smartphone, but don't seem to mention how the purchaser (also without a smartphone) can get into the event.
I sent an email to Silverstone regarding the tickets I'd bought for the Festival, and the fact that I didn't own a smartphone and therefore I couldn't access the digital tickets. I got a reply suggesting that if "one of my party" had a smartphone and would be attending at the same time, that would be a way that I could get into the event.

I said that if that wasn't possible (it would be a long shot, because I'd have to meet up with them on the outside of the track first) could I have a refund for the tickets, given that the digital only service was announced AFTER I'd bought the tickets. I was told that Silverstone don't refund tickets, but they suggested that I could donate them for free or give them to a friend.

So,... as I'd already arranged accommodation for the 3 days I'd be there, I reluctantly bought a smartphone that I had previously had no intention of buying, and downloaded the Silverstone app and digital tickets.

I have since read that recent Silverstone tickets buyers have been given printed QR codes to get through the gate. This includes one dumbphone owning member of the MX5 Owners Club who managed to state (better than I did obviously) that the digital tickets only was NOT stated by Silverstone at the time he bought his tickets for the MX5 club stand at this year's Silverstone Festival (Classic).

I've been attending the classic event at Silverstone for the full weekend since the 1990s, but I'm not sure whether I'll ever be going back, after this year.
It's all very annoying.


Edited by ChrisJ. on Sunday 6th August 08:15


Edited by ChrisJ. on Sunday 6th August 08:17

ncjones

Original Poster:

256 posts

217 months

Sunday 6th August 2023
quotequote all
ChrisJ. said:
I sent an email to Silverstone regarding the tickets I'd bought for the Festival, and the fact that I didn't own a smartphone and therefore I couldn't access the digital tickets. I got a reply suggesting that if "one of my party" had a smartphone and would be attending at the same time, that would be a way that I could get into the event.

I said that if that wasn't possible (it would be a long shot, because I'd have to meet up with them on the outside of the track first) could I have a refund for the tickets, given that the digital only service was announced AFTER I'd bought the tickets. I was told that Silverstone don't refund tickets, but they suggested that I could donate them for free or give them to a friend.

So,... as I'd already arranged accommodation for the 3 days I'd be there, I reluctantly bought a smartphone that I had previously had no intention of buying, and downloaded the Silverstone app and digital tickets.

I have since read that recent Silverstone tickets buyers have been given printed QR codes to get through the gate. This includes one dumbphone owning member of the MX5 Owners Club who managed to state (better than I did obviously) that the digital tickets only was NOT stated by Silverstone at the time he bought his tickets for the MX5 club stand at this year's Silverstone Festival (Classic).

I've been attending the classic event at Silverstone for the full weekend since the 1990s, but I'm not sure whether I'll ever be going back, after this year.
It's all very annoying.


Edited by ChrisJ. on Sunday 6th August 08:15


Edited by ChrisJ. on Sunday 6th August 08:17
I’m surprised they tried going fully digital without an alternative option. A very high proportion of folk would be happy to used their smartphone (I would have much preferred to not have to download another app though!), but they should have at least provided a QR code people can print out.


RGG

284 posts

19 months

Wednesday 9th August 2023
quotequote all
Silverstone Festival Ticket App and "Activation".

I received the tickets on the App a week or so ago.

They're not yet activated.

That's making it difficult to sell on the camping pass that is now superfluous.

Has anyone had their tickets activated yet?

Or does anyone know when they are due to be activated?

Thanks

stevemcs

8,718 posts

95 months

Wednesday 9th August 2023
quotequote all
Usually 2-3 days before the event - thats if moto gp is anything to go by.

RGG

284 posts

19 months

Monday 14th August 2023
quotequote all
I've got a spare camping ticket.

Two adults. Thursday - Monday.

The Official Silverstone Golf Course Site.

Sold out on the Silverstone Website.

Standard Pitch 7M X 8M.

From the Website

"STANDARD PITCH
7m (d) by 8m (w)

For 1 family sized tent and 1 car OR 2 x two-person tents and 1 car OR 1 x caravan, motorhome or campervan (under 6.5m) and 1 car'

Cost me £130 - Selling for the same.

PM if interested.



Edited by RGG on Monday 14th August 14:21

Fiestaracer

31 posts

94 months

Tuesday 15th August 2023
quotequote all
Spare Friday ticket available £30

Edited by Fiestaracer on Thursday 17th August 14:54