Silverstone viewing spots for 1000km race

[robstopper]

First post from a newbie, be gentle!!

I'm off to Silverstone this weekend for the 1000km race. Can anyone recommend me a decent viewing spot on the new GP loop? Looks like there's a grandstand just at the Loop, think that might give some good views as the cars are braking from high speed?

Thanks in advance.

[RJB_666]

Be gentle?! Where do you think your posting? The lounge?

Theres quite a lot of good spots at Silverstone. My personal choice would be in the becketts grandstand. You will also get to see the arena section from there. The grandstands are good at arena as well though, quite close to the circuit. Another one to check out is club corner. Great to see so many cars trying to slow down there. Slightly ruined with this years changes now they've effectively added another apex.

[y2blade]

you are able to walk around during the duration of the race, so you can watch from all around the circuit....take a lightweight folding chair

that is what we'll be doing

[williamp]

Its a 6 hour race, and you'll be free to roam around so why not walk the track? Easily done in 6 hours with lots of stops. This is what I do, walking against the oncoming racing cars so I can always see them. Dont forget a radio and headphones for the commentary

[anonymous-user]

+1 for walking and a folding chair.

It's the ONLY way to experience an endurance race.

[robstopper]

cheers chaps.

Am reasonably familiar with Silverstone - have attended 3 British GP's, BTCC, historics, Time Attack, and last year's FIA GT race amongst other visits, but haven't been since the track was extended, so was just wondering what the views are like within the new section.

As you've all said - 6 hours to kill, so better to be moving around than sat on ones behind in the same spot!

[v1nce]

Interestingly, the covered seat on the new stand at Becketts provides 1 of the best views of the new section. From there you can see the cars through Maggots, Becketts, onto the Hanger straight, and then pick the cars back up at Abbey, up the hill, into the loop and down the Wellington straight (slipped into Legard). Views from the stands overlooking the new loop are a little restricted in comparison, offering only a limited view of the sweep up from Abbey (read about 50 metres) the 2 new corners.

Its a 6 hour race so, as people have already pointed out, have a walk around in a anti clockwise direction so your facing oncoming traffic .

[robstopper]

wicked, that sounds like the best place to start. My 71 year old dad is coming with me, so doubt he's gonna be too up for walking ALL the way round the circuit tho!

[IainW]

If it's dry, walk about. We did that last year, watched the start process and the start from the pit straight grandstand, then going anti-clockwise (as recommended here) around the circuit until we were back at that bit for the finish. Although we did go across to the bar for a cold drink and get some food during it too. Not sure how you can cover a full lap with the Arena circuit though, so you might just have to walk between Luffield and Abbey with no cars going past which is a shame. I'll miss the LMP1s through Bridge.

Sat in the stand at the Arena for the FIA GT1s on the Saturday in May and I was impressed by how much you could see. I like how the stands are higher than the debris fence in most places, making photos easier to get. The first few photos here show some of the view from Arena: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iainw81/sets/72157623...

Really looking forward to it at the weekend.

Edited by IainW on Tuesday 7th September 20:40

[Ricepilot]

y2blade said:

you are able to walk around during the duration of the race, so you can watch from all around the circuit....take a lightweight folding chair

that is what we'll be doing

+1

But make sure you at least walk down the Hangar Straight (by the bridge) to hear the Aston go past.

[Parsnip]

Desperate here, but will try my luck anyway:

Long story short, finished uni, accepted job abroad starting this weekend, visa is fked, am free for a month.

Is there anyone heading down from Scotland who has a spare seat, or anyone who wants to head down but has noone to go with (have already sold the car, so would be a hire jobbie) or anyone down there who would have me drink beer and be merry in their general vicinity?

PM/reply if the above sounds like you - I wouldn't mind going alone, but it is a hell of a drive to turn around straight after the race, would prefer to stay an extra night for a bit of beer and BBQ nonsense.

I take it tickets are easy to get hold of? I think the last time I went for the LMS there were tickets on the door - but this was 5 years ago.

[robstopper]

Ricepilot said:

But make sure you at least walk down the Hangar Straight (by the bridge) to hear the Aston go past.

Oh yes indeedy..........really looking forward to hearing that! The FIA GT's were loud enough last year, so I'm interested to see how close these are to the F1 cars.

Weather is looking good too - 20 degrees and sunny, so will be worth missing the Italian GP for this!

[Nick M]

Would I be correct in thinking that, with the introduction of the new 'loop', it's no longer possible to get from the infield side of the bridge over the Hangar straight (where the driving school is) across to the infield area by Copse corrner ? Previously it was possible to walk from the infield side of Becketts / Maggots up to the banking which took you along to the pit exit, but I assume that's a no-no now the new bits of track are there ?


Just thinking about my normal route round the track, but wanting to avoid getting stuck somewhere and having to back-track too far.

Thanks

[entropy]

A personal favourite mine (and very rarely mentioned):

Walk across the bridge at Hangar Straight and view from the banking that supports the bridge. You get a damn good view of cars flying down the straight, drafting and weaving through traffic. Contact between cars is very common into Stowe Corner because its not unusual to see car 3 abreast down the straight.

[webby74]

robstopper said:

Ricepilot said:

But make sure you at least walk down the Hangar Straight (by the bridge) to hear the Aston go past.

Oh yes indeedy..........really looking forward to hearing that! The FIA GT's were loud enough last year, so I'm interested to see how close these are to the F1 cars.

Weather is looking good too - 20 degrees and sunny, so will be worth missing the Italian GP for this!

Yes to watch some proper racing!

[dougc]

Tips.

Buy a radio. It is invaluable
Walk the track anticlockwise, or you'll get a cricked neck from looking over your shoulder.
Stand at the entry to Stowe for glowing brakes
The stand in the new GP loop is a belter

[dougc]

Nick M said:

Would I be correct in thinking that, with the introduction of the new 'loop', it's no longer possible to get from the infield side of the bridge over the Hangar straight (where the driving school is) across to the infield area by Copse corrner ? Previously it was possible to walk from the infield side of Becketts / Maggots up to the banking which took you along to the pit exit, but I assume that's a no-no now the new bits of track are there ?


Just thinking about my normal route round the track, but wanting to avoid getting stuck somewhere and having to back-track too far.

Thanks

Correct. This route is no longer available.

[Nick M]

dougc said:

Nick M said:

Would I be correct in thinking that, with the introduction of the new 'loop', it's no longer possible to get from the infield side of the bridge over the Hangar straight (where the driving school is) across to the infield area by Copse corrner ?

Correct. This route is no longer available.

Thanks, and bugger... Will have to have a think about a suitable route working my way round from Copse corner anti-clockwise round the track.

[robstopper]

Thanks for all the advice guys, knew you would be the lot to ask!

Can't wait for this now, never seen full-on LM prototypes in action before.

[williamp]

robstopper said:

Can't wait for this now, never seen full-on LM prototypes in action before.

The speed they carry through the corners is breathtaking. And the noise (or surprising lack of it with the Diesels). The speed difference between them and the GT2 is amazing as well- you think the Gt2 drivers arent really trying! cant wart!