What to expect at the Britcar 24 ?
Discussion
What's it like then ?
I've been to LeMans a few times and it's simply fantastic. Now, I don't expect Silverstone to be the same in any way shape or form apart from there being a 24 hour long race.
But what is there to do ? Are there plenty of bars, side show to keep you busy etc. etc. or is it simply park your bum on a seat and watch some racing ?
All I have to go by is previous years photo's of dark, damp, wet Silverstone with not many people milling around.
I hope it's better than I'm expecting. I know of the air display and I'm in a parade lap with the TVR but after the start, are there plenty of things happening ?
Cheers
Lazy
I've been to LeMans a few times and it's simply fantastic. Now, I don't expect Silverstone to be the same in any way shape or form apart from there being a 24 hour long race.
But what is there to do ? Are there plenty of bars, side show to keep you busy etc. etc. or is it simply park your bum on a seat and watch some racing ?
All I have to go by is previous years photo's of dark, damp, wet Silverstone with not many people milling around.
I hope it's better than I'm expecting. I know of the air display and I'm in a parade lap with the TVR but after the start, are there plenty of things happening ?
Cheers
Lazy
I'm the same as you Lazy, been to lemans but first time at Silverstone - don't know what to expect!
I have also booked the lap behind the safety car with TVRCC, have you got your tickets yet? Strangely enough I have the booking confirmation but they haven't taken payment from my card yet, is this normal?
Si
I have also booked the lap behind the safety car with TVRCC, have you got your tickets yet? Strangely enough I have the booking confirmation but they haven't taken payment from my card yet, is this normal?
Si
lazyitus said:
What's it like then ?
All I have to go by is previous years photo's of dark, damp, wet Silverstone with not many people milling around.
Yep - this pretty much sums up last year. There was a bit of an airshow at midday on the Saturday. I don't even recall an ice-cream van being there. Possibly like the good ole days - make your own entertainment. All I have to go by is previous years photo's of dark, damp, wet Silverstone with not many people milling around.
SI-PEN said:
I have also booked the lap behind the safety car with TVRCC, have you got your tickets yet? Strangely enough I have the booking confirmation but they haven't taken payment from my card yet, is this normal?
Si
I haven't been charged either but I've had confirmation of the booking ? Still, there are still nearly 3 weeks left to go.Si
N24 said:
Yep - this pretty much sums up last year. There was a bit of an airshow at midday on the Saturday. I don't even recall an ice-cream van being there. Possibly like the good ole days - make your own entertainment.
Great.
I went to the Saturday last year.
There were a number of decent air displays before the main race.
There's a similar crowd to a normal club meeting, ie. not many people. This might be different this year due to the publicity on TopGear from last year's race.
There was easy access to the pitlane before the race, with all (most?) teams wheeling their cars onto the apron and posing for photos.
The only complaint I can think of is that the tannoy commentary shuts off in the late evening due to noise restrictions, so after that you've no idea what's happening on track.
There were a number of decent air displays before the main race.
There's a similar crowd to a normal club meeting, ie. not many people. This might be different this year due to the publicity on TopGear from last year's race.
There was easy access to the pitlane before the race, with all (most?) teams wheeling their cars onto the apron and posing for photos.
The only complaint I can think of is that the tannoy commentary shuts off in the late evening due to noise restrictions, so after that you've no idea what's happening on track.
Truckosaurus said:
The only complaint I can think of is that the tannoy commentary shuts off in the late evening due to noise restrictions, so after that you've no idea what's happening on track.
Well make sure you bring a radio this year as commentary is being broadcast on 87.7fm inside the circuit.lazyitus said:
Crikey, is N24 the only one with experience of this event ?
It must be a quiet meeting.
I've been to all the Silverstone 24 Hours and the first year certainly was! A very very small number of spectators, not helped by the horrible weather that year.It must be a quiet meeting.
Crowd numbers seem to have grown as the event has become more well known and hopefully, if the weather is kind to us, there'll be plenty more this year.
Personally speaking, I enjoy the fact that there aren't hordes of people there as it makes moving about the place so much easier. I'm one of those 'strange' people that couldn't really care less about sideshows and air displays and swanky facilities - not that there's anything wrong with Silverstone's, IMO - as I go to a race meeting to watch racing! As long as there's an accessible paddock area to mooch about in and some decent action on track, then I'm happy. Britcar amply provides both of these which is one of the main factors why I follow the series.
If you're expecting a 'British Le Mans' then I fear you may be disappointed. Northamptonshire in September is never going to be La Sarthe in June! If, however, you go expecting to see what promises to be a great race with recognisable cars - quite a few driven by PHers - and a good, almost 'clubbie' type of atmosphere, then you'll love it! I personally can't wait!
Trackside said:
lazyitus said:
Crikey, is N24 the only one with experience of this event ?
It must be a quiet meeting.
I've been to all the Silverstone 24 Hours and the first year certainly was! A very very small number of spectators, not helped by the horrible weather that year.It must be a quiet meeting.
Crowd numbers seem to have grown as the event has become more well known and hopefully, if the weather is kind to us, there'll be plenty more this year.
Personally speaking, I enjoy the fact that there aren't hordes of people there as it makes moving about the place so much easier. I'm one of those 'strange' people that couldn't really care less about sideshows and air displays and swanky facilities - not that there's anything wrong with Silverstone's, IMO - as I go to a race meeting to watch racing! As long as there's an accessible paddock area to mooch about in and some decent action on track, then I'm happy. Britcar amply provides both of these which is one of the main factors why I follow the series.
If you're expecting a 'British Le Mans' then I fear you may be disappointed. Northamptonshire in September is never going to be La Sarthe in June! If, however, you go expecting to see what promises to be a great race with recognisable cars - quite a few driven by PHers - and a good, almost 'clubbie' type of atmosphere, then you'll love it! I personally can't wait!
See you at the race
Trackside said:
Personally speaking, I enjoy the fact that there aren't hordes of people there as it makes moving about the place so much easier. I'm one of those 'strange' people that couldn't really care less about sideshows and air displays and swanky facilities - not that there's anything wrong with Silverstone's, IMO - as I go to a race meeting to watch racing! As long as there's an accessible paddock area to mooch about in and some decent action on track, then I'm happy. Britcar amply provides both of these which is one of the main factors why I follow the series.
If you're expecting a 'British Le Mans' then I fear you may be disappointed. Northamptonshire in September is never going to be La Sarthe in June!
Good points.If you're expecting a 'British Le Mans' then I fear you may be disappointed. Northamptonshire in September is never going to be La Sarthe in June!
Of course, I don't expect to come home with a sun tan !
I love my racing and will sit and watch motor racing for ages. I just might get a bit itchy if I did it for 24 hours, that's all.
I'm going with the old man as I don't see alot of him. I just hoped there might be something else going on of interest just to dilute the full on race experience a little. More for him than me, in fairness.
I suppose it's best to stock up on beer and wine and grub and just enjoy it as it happens.
Have a look at www.beechdean.co.uk and then click on their motorsport link. I'm out in one of their Astons for the race and they are holding a big party on the Saturday night which you can get tickets for. Might be worth calling them if you want to do something a bit different!
See you there!
See you there!
I'm going,
I'm marshaling the event along with large numbers of other marshals from around the country - I think 35 or so scottish marshals, 30 or so from the north west and numbers from other regions - of course BTCC are at brands that weekend for the season finale ..
Should be a good weekend, hope all of you racing keep it on the island and don't come visit me when I'm on post...
No doubt I'll run into some of you over the 3 days...
Simon.
I'm marshaling the event along with large numbers of other marshals from around the country - I think 35 or so scottish marshals, 30 or so from the north west and numbers from other regions - of course BTCC are at brands that weekend for the season finale ..
Should be a good weekend, hope all of you racing keep it on the island and don't come visit me when I'm on post...
No doubt I'll run into some of you over the 3 days...
Simon.
I'll be there.. Pit wall For Eclipse this year...slowly working my way towards a drive 
spectator facilities should be getting better year on year.. The big advantage of going now is you'll get much more access to the teams, with the radio going it should make more sense as well..
just be prepared for the possibility of some crap weather and take plenty of beer
cheers
G
spectator facilities should be getting better year on year.. The big advantage of going now is you'll get much more access to the teams, with the radio going it should make more sense as well..
just be prepared for the possibility of some crap weather and take plenty of beer
cheers
G
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