F1 Silverstone advice

[AreseV6]

Want to get my brother in law and myself tickets for the weekend at silverstone have never been so would appreciate some advice , is the general admission weekend pass a good bet ? interested in camping at the silverstone site is this included ? Also best areas for viewing the race ?

[kybo]

My personal opinion, but avoid GA [general admission] like the plague. Why?
1/ I don't think you can access any stands on Saturday - only Friday will you get to visit all the stands.
2/ You have to be queuing at 4-5am on the Sunday to be in with a shout of getting a half decent spot.
3/ I don't think the views are that great
4/ You may be sat behind someone who has flags, banners, large umbrellas that WILL get on your TTS
5/ It's difficult to leave your spot once you're settled.
6/ Sunday is an extremely longgggg day

[It's the cheapest ticket for a reason]

That said I know people who wouldn't buy a grandstand ticket!!

Grandstands - A lot of people like either Becketts, Club, or Luffield/Woodcote. Benefits:
1/ guaranteed seat
2/ go anywhere you like within your ticket band (Silver/Gold/Platinum) on Friday and Saturday.
3/ Great views
4/ come and go as you please - easy exit/access to your seat
5/ Cover on some stands

Camping is not included in the the price of any ticket but can be added on at time of booking. Again people's choice of site will vary: Silverstone campsite, Litchlake, Whittlebury, New Rookery are all good and nearby, but vary in price quite a lot. Some put on good entertainment and have bars/beer tents on site. Depends what you want.

I'm sure you'll enjoy any ticket you get and these comments are just my personal opinion/preferences.

Your question has been asked a lot if you can be bothered to search for similar topics.

Hope it helps.

Scott

[Cyder]

kybo said:

My personal opinion, but avoid GA [general admission] like the plague. Why?
1/ I don't think you can access any stands on Saturday - only Friday will you get to visit all the stands.
2/ You have to be queuing at 4-5am on the Sunday to be in with a shout of getting a half decent spot.
3/ I don't think the views are that great
4/ You may be sat behind someone who has flags, banners, large umbrellas that WILL get on your TTS
5/ It's difficult to leave your spot once you're settled.
6/ Sunday is an extremely longgggg day

I went in 2006 and my experience was completely different to yours (granted things may have changed).

1. Probably true, but I'm pretty sure we managed to get into some of the stands on Saturday, but it doesn't really matter if you can't (unless it's raining).

2. Tosh, we got into the circuit at around 7.30-8am having bussed it in from one of the airfield P+R's. Walked round to the exit of Becketts/Maggots (Chapel?) and found a spot leading on to...

3. The view from where we watched the race was spot on in my opinion, we could see the cars coming down the short straight into Becketts/Maggots and then changing direction at speed. I think with the new circuit loop you'd be able to see more now?

4. We had no such problems sat on the banking, we took camping chairs and sat quite happily with unobstructed views all day leading on to 5...

5. No problem leaving our stuff to go for a wander/beer/burger/piss. We spoke to the people beside us and kept an eye on each others stuff while we disappeared.

6. No denying this point, but take chairs and you can have a nap!

[Vocal Minority]

you can see a hell of a lot from the maggots grandstand now. Presumably it will be similar if a little more restrcted from GA

[GAjon]

Cyder said:

I went in 2006 and my experience was completely different to yours (granted things may have changed).

1. Probably true, but I'm pretty sure we managed to get into some of the stands on Saturday, but it doesn't really matter if you can't (unless it's raining).

2. Tosh, we got into the circuit at around 7.30-8am having bussed it in from one of the airfield P+R's. Walked round to the exit of Becketts/Maggots (Chapel?) and found a spot leading on to...

3. The view from where we watched the race was spot on in my opinion, we could see the cars coming down the short straight into Becketts/Maggots and then changing direction at speed. I think with the new circuit loop you'd be able to see more now?

4. We had no such problems sat on the banking, we took camping chairs and sat quite happily with unobstructed views all day leading on to 5...

5. No problem leaving our stuff to go for a wander/beer/burger/piss. We spoke to the people beside us and kept an eye on each others stuff while we disappeared.

6. No denying this point, but take chairs and you can have a nap!

Thing is 2006 was a world cup year and Silverstone was not as busy as usual, plus as I remember, the weather was fantastic which makes all the difference.

[Cyder]

True, I can't compare with other years on business and I suppose it was the year before the 'Hamilton factor' kicked off.

The weather definitely makes a difference, if it had been raining it would have been fairly grim!

[kybo]

Cyder said:

kybo said:

My personal opinion, but avoid GA [general admission] like the plague. Why?
1/ I don't think you can access any stands on Saturday - only Friday will you get to visit all the stands.
2/ You have to be queuing at 4-5am on the Sunday to be in with a shout of getting a half decent spot.
3/ I don't think the views are that great
4/ You may be sat behind someone who has flags, banners, large umbrellas that WILL get on your TTS
5/ It's difficult to leave your spot once you're settled.
6/ Sunday is an extremely longgggg day

I went in 2006 and my experience was completely different to yours (granted things may have changed).

1. Probably true, but I'm pretty sure we managed to get into some of the stands on Saturday, but it doesn't really matter if you can't (unless it's raining).

2. Tosh, we got into the circuit at around 7.30-8am having bussed it in from one of the airfield P+R's. Walked round to the exit of Becketts/Maggots (Chapel?) and found a spot leading on to...

3. The view from where we watched the race was spot on in my opinion, we could see the cars coming down the short straight into Becketts/Maggots and then changing direction at speed. I think with the new circuit loop you'd be able to see more now?

4. We had no such problems sat on the banking, we took camping chairs and sat quite happily with unobstructed views all day leading on to 5...

5. No problem leaving our stuff to go for a wander/beer/burger/piss. We spoke to the people beside us and kept an eye on each others stuff while we disappeared.

6. No denying this point, but take chairs and you can have a nap!

Cyder, good post - nice for the OP to get the 'other side'. As mentioned it is only my personal opinion - I've had far better experiences in the stands, is all. I did forget to mention that, in most cases, the 'neighbours' are a very friendly bunch. Glad you brought it up.

Biggest factor could well be the budget - if you can't afford anything other than GA go for it - far better to be there than not at all. Camping over the weekend makes a massive difference too, IMO. I've stayed at New Rookery, Litchlake and Whittlebury and they've all been up to the task.

Does anyone know if you still get a weekend pass to the SRA and their club if you stay at New Rookery Farm, in the village?

Thanks,
Scott

[maffski]

I've been three times so far

2009 - sat in stands at Stowe - good view (although fairly far back from the track) but very little room bewteen each row of seats so I felt like I was anoying people every time I wanted to get out.

2010 - sat on the banks (GA) at Becketts - got in about 7am and no problems - right at the fence and a fantastic noise - about 15 ft from the track edge

2011 - GA somewhere around Luffield / Woodcote - got in about 7:30 and a naff view


Best was 2010, view was good and the tickets were a fair bit cheaper, the difference in ticket costs don't seem so good anymore so I'd probably go for a stand.

Where ever you are try and ensure theres a big screen in view.

[stoocake]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but does anyone have any advice for this year? Considering buying some tickets but not sure whether to go GA or spend the extra £130 each for a grandstand. We'll be camping too.

[kybo]

stoocake said:

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but does anyone have any advice for this year? Considering buying some tickets but not sure whether to go GA or spend the extra £130 each for a grandstand. We'll be camping too.

Well, I imagine the comments/opinions of the posters so far won't have changed a deal.

My preference is for grandstand seating (as mentioned before) but GA tickets can be a lot closer to the track and the comeraderie amongst neighbours is fantastic. As mentioned, space is limited between rows so you'd struggle with coolboxes full of beer etc.


Not sat around the new Village complex yet but I liked Club for being able to see a fair bit of the track (top of Hangar straight, round Stowe, through Vale and Club and down Pit straight (if far enough around the grandstand)).
Which campsite are you staying at? Whittlebury's good for extra entertainment, litchlake is very atmospheric and closer to the circuit and New Rookery is closer to the village centre used to give you a weekend membership to the SRO club, where they'd put bands on etc. My aim was to always be at the site for early thursday evening (I don't like to miss any of the weekend). It also cuts down on the traffic getting there, too.

I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you decide on - I'm not going this year so I'm just Jealous as hell!

Scott

[GAjon]

Just booked tickets last night, of what was still available I narrowed it down to Becketts or Woodcote, and went for Becketts again, I just love to see the cars go through there and not just the F1 cars.

Camping at Whittlebury for convenience and entertainment.