Silverstone GP Circuit - Spectators View
Discussion
Has anyone been along to the new 'Winged' Silverstone this weekend for the FIA GTs? I went today mainly to scope out general admission seating areas for the F1 in July, and came away a bit concerned to put it mildly.
Lots of unhappy folk about, one family on the bus (yes, you now have to catch a bus to visit the paddock) we spoke to had been going to the F1 for 20 years and were really worried about how many general admission tickets the circuit may have sold, as they don't appear to have added any noteable banking to give all those people a reasonable view...but have taken plenty away (they have built a nice infield bank for those with paddock access, though!)
I appreciate it's very early days and just the fact that we have a circuit worthy of F1 should be applauded, but as it stands it's a pretty brutal proposition for a spectator (much more so even than it was previously), the new infield area which was highlighted by the BRDC as the place to be was very confusing. At a certain point it becomes vehicle access only, so oddly you had to get a bus to the new paddock, but then you could walk back all the way to the point where they stopped you on the other side anyway.
I'm really surprised they never built a bridge or tunnel on the new pit straight, even on a very quiet day like today it took me 30 minutes to get from the stand directly opposite the Wing to the Wing itself, chartering public buses is surely a short-term 'get around' (I hope!)
Obviously for the F1 things will be busier, more open (the old Pit Straight was like a ghost town today) and hopefully better organised, and obviously the paddock will be entirely off limits anyhow, but I really hope they improve information and access when 'lesser' events are taking place, especially given the variety of layouts they now have.
Lots of unhappy folk about, one family on the bus (yes, you now have to catch a bus to visit the paddock) we spoke to had been going to the F1 for 20 years and were really worried about how many general admission tickets the circuit may have sold, as they don't appear to have added any noteable banking to give all those people a reasonable view...but have taken plenty away (they have built a nice infield bank for those with paddock access, though!)
I appreciate it's very early days and just the fact that we have a circuit worthy of F1 should be applauded, but as it stands it's a pretty brutal proposition for a spectator (much more so even than it was previously), the new infield area which was highlighted by the BRDC as the place to be was very confusing. At a certain point it becomes vehicle access only, so oddly you had to get a bus to the new paddock, but then you could walk back all the way to the point where they stopped you on the other side anyway.
I'm really surprised they never built a bridge or tunnel on the new pit straight, even on a very quiet day like today it took me 30 minutes to get from the stand directly opposite the Wing to the Wing itself, chartering public buses is surely a short-term 'get around' (I hope!)
Obviously for the F1 things will be busier, more open (the old Pit Straight was like a ghost town today) and hopefully better organised, and obviously the paddock will be entirely off limits anyhow, but I really hope they improve information and access when 'lesser' events are taking place, especially given the variety of layouts they now have.
Agree with all your comments ukaskew But I would go furthur and say that Silverstone is now comletely screwed as a spectator cicuit. It never was much good ( too flat/big/windy) but now it is only going to cater for the corporate elite in the new edifice which can only be accessed by helicopter.
There is no way the hoi poloi wil be let within 2 miles of the wing at GP time. and how many other tracks employ so many Gestapo guards to make you walk another 10 miles in the wrong direction?
The fencing contractor must be on the board of directors also-- I have always called it Stalag Siverstone for the last 20 years and it does not look like changing any time soon.
Now it has 200 acres of parking why do we have to park outside the track for smaller meetings like this weekends?
I Think the ordinary spectator is just an annoyance to Silverstone and F1 and they deserve one another. Thank the Lord for Jonathan Palmer!!
There is no way the hoi poloi wil be let within 2 miles of the wing at GP time. and how many other tracks employ so many Gestapo guards to make you walk another 10 miles in the wrong direction?
The fencing contractor must be on the board of directors also-- I have always called it Stalag Siverstone for the last 20 years and it does not look like changing any time soon.
Now it has 200 acres of parking why do we have to park outside the track for smaller meetings like this weekends?
I Think the ordinary spectator is just an annoyance to Silverstone and F1 and they deserve one another. Thank the Lord for Jonathan Palmer!!
I agree with you both. It wouldn't be so bad if they unlocked the grandstands around Becketts/Maggots, Copse and Club etc. Last year even at the Classic meeting Becketts was locked. The situation is exacerbated by the big runoff areas pushing spectators further back and the increased height of the debris fencing.
Is there to be no infield car access for any 'club' meetings ?
Is there to be no infield car access for any 'club' meetings ?
Mixed feeling from myself really. Unless a bridge or tunnel is built then I doubt I'll ever visit the paddock again. In the past whilst getting from Bridge to Copse via the infield I would take a detour to see what was going on but that's not going to happen now.
I hope the buses are a permanent feature just to make getting around the circuit easier, yesterday I walked from Luffield via Club to Stowe and back carrying 10kg's of camera equipment so today I'm knackered. They would also be very useful during the Britcar 24 as somewhere warm to catch a couple of hours of sleep.
I'm not convinced the lack of banking is a problem as the only place I think it has disapeared from is along the new pit straight, but a bit more would be useful especially in the new spectator area opened up between the Wellington Straight and Luffield.
In the end though I think spectator comfort is the least of Silverstones concerns as the only time the business model depend on tickets receipts is for the F1 and that will sell out regardless and the wing has only been built to keep Bernie sweet. Personally if they used the wing for F1 and reverted to the original pits for everything else then that would suit me.
I hope the buses are a permanent feature just to make getting around the circuit easier, yesterday I walked from Luffield via Club to Stowe and back carrying 10kg's of camera equipment so today I'm knackered. They would also be very useful during the Britcar 24 as somewhere warm to catch a couple of hours of sleep.
I'm not convinced the lack of banking is a problem as the only place I think it has disapeared from is along the new pit straight, but a bit more would be useful especially in the new spectator area opened up between the Wellington Straight and Luffield.
In the end though I think spectator comfort is the least of Silverstones concerns as the only time the business model depend on tickets receipts is for the F1 and that will sell out regardless and the wing has only been built to keep Bernie sweet. Personally if they used the wing for F1 and reverted to the original pits for everything else then that would suit me.
Problem with opening up the grandstands for the "smaller" meetings is again elf and safety. If they're open, the have to be adequately staffed - extra staff means extra costs - just not economical for the Circuit.
I heard a whisper that the next stage of development would be permanent grandstands opposite the "Wing" with a bridga access from these. AS with anything in British Motorsport though - don't believe it until you can touch it !
I heard a whisper that the next stage of development would be permanent grandstands opposite the "Wing" with a bridga access from these. AS with anything in British Motorsport though - don't believe it until you can touch it !
The answer to the question is very simple.....THEY DON'T CARE...about spectators other than taking the money for a p*** poor proposition. As said about, spectators are merely an irritant at Silverstone. Great for the corporates and the BRDC I'm sure. But for the rest....it's a shambles.
Hi, agree with all the comments - been going to Silverstone since late 1980's spectating as a kid now more recently as a competitor as well as a paying spectator.
They really don't want spectactors at most meetings - you can no longer sit in your own car to spectate, grandstands are closed and as for the grand prix you won't see anything unless in a grandstand.
On friday I went to catch the end of the GT's (hospitaility pass and car park) but impossible to get any where of interest. Security very tight considering the time and number of spectators
They really don't want spectactors at most meetings - you can no longer sit in your own car to spectate, grandstands are closed and as for the grand prix you won't see anything unless in a grandstand.
On friday I went to catch the end of the GT's (hospitaility pass and car park) but impossible to get any where of interest. Security very tight considering the time and number of spectators
I agree, Silverstone as a place to watch motor racing has been ruined. I first started going in the early 70's and the changes since then are astonishing. I used to sit in Woodcote and watch the cars come down the straight. Not any more and I agree about the wire fencing, it's everywhere!
MWebby said:
and as for the grand prix you won't see anything unless in a grandstand.
This is the one and only year I'm going to the British GP (a wedding present from the missus) so I was absolutely gutted after seeing the circuit yesterday. General Access alone cost her £400 for the both of us and by the looks of things there are two or three small areas at the most where we would see more than 300m of track (and no doubt those spaces will be filled quickly)It didn't help that they advertised big screen TVs for the GTs this weekend...they certainly didn't have any yesterday (not that I spotted anyway)
Good for 15 days of action this year (with great viewing!)Funny there does not seem to be much disagreement with this thread so PH ers seem to me to be a sensible experenced bunch of petrolheads who know how a circuit should operate based on past knowledge, so how do we let Silverstone know they are getting it hopelessly wrong? Do they even care?
One thought that crossed my mind yesterday was that if the new engine regs for F1 turn out to be a disaster in2013 as Bernie fears the effect on the sport could be serious and the BRDC could have a rather large white elephant sitting at Abbey.
As an aside i timed the GT3 cars in the race and the leaders lap time was in the 2min 6 second bracket-- as I said its a big track now!!
One thought that crossed my mind yesterday was that if the new engine regs for F1 turn out to be a disaster in2013 as Bernie fears the effect on the sport could be serious and the BRDC could have a rather large white elephant sitting at Abbey.
As an aside i timed the GT3 cars in the race and the leaders lap time was in the 2min 6 second bracket-- as I said its a big track now!!
burman said:
Funny there does not seem to be much disagreement with this thread so PH ers seem to me to be a sensible experenced bunch of petrolheads who know how a circuit should operate based on past knowledge, so how do we let Silverstone know they are getting it hopelessly wrong? Do they even care?
No, they do not care and they never have.The other posters in this thread have got it spot on. Spectators are an inconvenience to them unless it's the GP or one of the "major" meetings. For the club events the circuit would happily lock the gates and have a couple of hi-vis wearing Apes shooing the rabble away if they could get away with it.
I dunno. I could see the action pretty well.
Seriously though, I kinda agree. The new layout is confusing and a nightmare at the moment for pedestrians. I got totally confused and walked to The Wing via the bridge at the Porsche Experience Centre which was about a three mile round trip and which included yomping across a building site at the bottom of the Stowe Circuit. Then when I went to go home, the buses had stopped (I attended a party in the paddock) and I had to walk across the track to shortcut back to the main exit.
I heard a few people complaining that The Wing had ruined infield spectator viewing. I had a good look round the building and there's still quite a smell of fresh paint in some bits. The media centre is unfinished too, with abouyt half the terminals yet to be wired up.
Amazing where a bit of front and no media credentials can get you in that place...
Seriously though, I kinda agree. The new layout is confusing and a nightmare at the moment for pedestrians. I got totally confused and walked to The Wing via the bridge at the Porsche Experience Centre which was about a three mile round trip and which included yomping across a building site at the bottom of the Stowe Circuit. Then when I went to go home, the buses had stopped (I attended a party in the paddock) and I had to walk across the track to shortcut back to the main exit.
I heard a few people complaining that The Wing had ruined infield spectator viewing. I had a good look round the building and there's still quite a smell of fresh paint in some bits. The media centre is unfinished too, with abouyt half the terminals yet to be wired up.
Amazing where a bit of front and no media credentials can get you in that place...
There's lots unfinished. Media centre being just one part. Media shuttle running every 30 minutes doesn't exactly help either when the race is one hour in length. *ucking pointless springs to mind.
Hey ho, another race at Silverstone finished. Thank god.
Back for the British GP next month - I'm sure some things will have improved by then....I hope.
Hey ho, another race at Silverstone finished. Thank god.
Back for the British GP next month - I'm sure some things will have improved by then....I hope.
Do the BRDC still own Silverstone as I noticed it's not just the paying punters who have been shortchanged? The very fancy BRDC clubhouse is now essentially stranded in a circuit backwater and I can imagine the high and mighty who frequent the clubhouse are going to be less then pleased when they realise all the action is happening half a mile away.
Edited by Arnold The Bat on Sunday 5th June 17:15
I just got back from the GTx racing, a couple of comments:
1) You can do what you like to the track, stands and pits but to insult the customers by having no credit card facilities for ticketing at the entrance is just stupid. We had to walk round to another ticketing booth where they had some very slow machines in operation that were hung over the top of the window for inserting your pin #. Pathetic.
2) We then made the mistake of taking the nearest entrance rather than miss the first race completely and we walked to the closest stand - Village. It was ok but left us pretty much stranded with a long walk to get back round to the preferred International Pits Straight Stand (the one right next to the booth where they had no credit card machines). Great view once we got there, but very cold due to the high wind blowing through it.
To be honest, the experience left me less than impressed and thinking that if I go the GP next year it will only be on a mega-money ticket in one of the better stands - with a prayer for good weather and no wind thrown in.
On a more positive note, the GT1 racing was spectacular and the noise was simply wonderful.
1) You can do what you like to the track, stands and pits but to insult the customers by having no credit card facilities for ticketing at the entrance is just stupid. We had to walk round to another ticketing booth where they had some very slow machines in operation that were hung over the top of the window for inserting your pin #. Pathetic.
2) We then made the mistake of taking the nearest entrance rather than miss the first race completely and we walked to the closest stand - Village. It was ok but left us pretty much stranded with a long walk to get back round to the preferred International Pits Straight Stand (the one right next to the booth where they had no credit card machines). Great view once we got there, but very cold due to the high wind blowing through it.
To be honest, the experience left me less than impressed and thinking that if I go the GP next year it will only be on a mega-money ticket in one of the better stands - with a prayer for good weather and no wind thrown in.
On a more positive note, the GT1 racing was spectacular and the noise was simply wonderful.
I went to the opening round of the Carrera Cup at Brands back in April and I was struck by how good the cicuit looked -- much better than the old days BUT STILL ESSENTIALLY THE SAME not a completely different track as is SIverstone now- change for changes sake not nessesarily for the better.
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