British GP to use new Arena Circuit for 2010

[boycieboy]

Bernie Ecclestone has given the thumbsup to the new Silverstone arena circuit for 2010 which looks to increase lap times by around 4s.

Silverstone has confirmed the Arena section of the circuit will be up to 3.666 miles from 3.194 miles.

Circuit Details

Looks like it will be the MotoGP development - should make for some exciting racing

[mattikake]

OooOOOoooh.

This is half the MotoGP infield lap. Shame Bridge corner has gone, but all the fun to be had to discover a new vantage point. Still thinking Luffield will be the best place for entertainment or maybe a Becketts grandstand...

[BigBen]

According to Autosport the extra 700 odd meters will add 4 seconds to an F1 lap.

Seems a rather fast section to me

Ben

[dougc]

Try the FIA GT on the first weekend in May for a preview - they should be using it. Can't wait!

[djchocice]

great, my favourite part of the track is no longer going to be used, bloody great. Sitting in front of the fence just before Bridge corner about a foot or two away is imprinted onto my memory forever. New circuit layout looks a bit crap to me considering braking for Abbey, Priory and the complex always made for good overtaking. Hopefully the cath fencing pixies have not been too hard at work.

[Rude-boy]

All i know is that the campsite is going to be bloody noisy this year!

[Allyc85]

Not that bothered that bridge will no longer be used as it was easy flat and the challange of getting the car over to the right for priory seemed to be long gone.

Just got to get my ass in gear and get some tickets booked!

[Derek Smith]

I was at Bridge the first year it was used for the GP and I was astounded at the speed the cars carried around it. I could see them just breasting the rise and them coming downhill flat out. Awesome. I'll sorry it has gone.

[boycieboy]

Just found this;

Arena circuit pictures

Lots of work going on....hope they will be ready in time!

[teamHOLDENracing]

I can't help feeling that the installation of a gravel trap on the outside of Woodcote will neuter the corner somewhat.

Whilst its not the most challenging corner in the world, the proximity of the wall on the outside certainly focuses the mind. The element of danger in the back of your mind will now go - and with it some of the (mental) challenge.

[Rude-boy]

teamHOLDENracing said:

I can't help feeling that the installation of a gravel trap on the outside of Woodcote will neuter the corner somewhat.

Whilst its not the most challenging corner in the world, the proximity of the wall on the outside certainly focuses the mind. The element of danger in the back of your mind will now go - and with it some of the (mental) challenge.

I am sure that it will still catch out a lot of the less wary and thoes who don't fully appreciate it though. Wonder if we will see more cars running off there in the future though as inexperianced drivers fail to grasp that at speed on track it isn't anythng like it looks when you walk it!

[skinny]

just read an interview with damon hill, he doesn't like it, thinks it's boring from a drivers perspective. from the look of it, i'd be inclined to agree.

[teamHOLDENracing]

If true then that is a very odd comment from President/Chairman or whatever his position is at the BRDC. You would think that as head honcho at the BRDC, and as an ex F1 world champion, he would have had some input into the changes at the BRDC owned Silverstone

I think more drivers will go off at Woodcote now - the penalty for getting it wrong is less severe so people will push it more

[Allyc85]

Maybe in the wet but surely for most car races thats an easy flat corner?

[teamHOLDENracing]

Yes you are right. Although the sort of racing I do has huge speed differentials between cars and moving off line to overtake through there can easily make it feel rather hairy.

Irrespective of that, a big concrete wall always make you have more respect for a corner

[boycieboy]

teamHOLDENracing said:

If true then that is a very odd comment from President/Chairman or whatever his position is at the BRDC. You would think that as head honcho at the BRDC, and as an ex F1 world champion, he would have had some input into the changes at the BRDC owned Silverstone

I agree, I wonder if he had no input due to it being re-designed for the MotoGP? Surely when the changes were on the drawing board they never thought they would get the Brit GP back?
I wonder what the perspective of the changes would be from a 'bike' racer?

Maybe, other changes will appear over the next few years for the track to become a great F1 & MotoGP circuit?

[lewis1]

just wait till you all see the amount of debris fencing, stepladders anyone? fiver a day rental

[stephen300o]

It will be interesting to see the cars coming into Brooklands flat out, maybe a possibility of taking the outside line there to overtake at Luffield?
Also the new sweeping bends at Farm/Abbey are going to show off these cars downforce.(these will be flatout?)