My time at Silverstone (with a few pictures)
Discussion
Well, this was my first time at the BGP and I have to say, I loved it. I stayed in the Woodlands camp site from Friday to Monday morning and really enjoyed the atmosphere; especially the gigs on Saturday night – Eddie Jordan made an impromptu appearance and in spite of him being pissed, he made a good account of himself on the drums.
I took up my place next to the fence at Club from 0530 on race day and a good thing too as all such places had gone by 0600! Loved the race and the practice sessions and thought that £155, including parking and camping, was good value considering I watched 6 hours of F1 cars going right past me!
I took a few pictures from the end of hangar straight (during 2nd practice) and a few from the Force India factory having been lucky enough to know an employee and get a short tour.
I’ll be there every year now – Spa may also be on the cards next year.
I took up my place next to the fence at Club from 0530 on race day and a good thing too as all such places had gone by 0600! Loved the race and the practice sessions and thought that £155, including parking and camping, was good value considering I watched 6 hours of F1 cars going right past me!
I took a few pictures from the end of hangar straight (during 2nd practice) and a few from the Force India factory having been lucky enough to know an employee and get a short tour.
I’ll be there every year now – Spa may also be on the cards next year.
I hate the fact that the 'plebs' (ie us), have to slum it behind a fence on some gravel, while the more priviliged members get better viewing, comfort, facilities, etc. Its so cynical. In fact i can think of no other sport where this is the case. A football fan can see a good view of a match with a normal ticket, golf you can get close up, etc, the corporates may get btter food and drink, but the fans arent left out.
markcoznottz said:
I hate the fact that the 'plebs' (ie us), have to slum it behind a fence on some gravel, while the more priviliged members get better viewing, comfort, facilities, etc. Its so cynical. In fact i can think of no other sport where this is the case. A football fan can see a good view of a match with a normal ticket, golf you can get close up, etc, the corporates may get btter food and drink, but the fans arent left out.
Motorsport does have it's own unique constraints.markcoznottz said:
I hate the fact that the 'plebs' (ie us), have to slum it behind a fence on some gravel, while the more priviliged members get better viewing, comfort, facilities, etc. Its so cynical. In fact i can think of no other sport where this is the case. A football fan can see a good view of a match with a normal ticket, golf you can get close up, etc, the corporates may get btter food and drink, but the fans arent left out.
Just buy a better ticket! 
In all seriousness though, the fence is there for the safety of the fans. I'm sure a football to the face is one thing, but a car traveling at 150mph is an entirely different prospect. Although I like to splash out on good tickets, the view from the track side isn't bad at all. In fact, you're closer to the action that people in the grandstands and hospitality suits.RJB_666 said:
Nice photos. My camera couldn't quite get that close to the cars, i'm tempted every year by an slr. I left the grand prix party as soon as the girl band started so didn't see Jordan on stage.
Also how did you get so close to the Force India garage?
It is a shame that girlband was on Sunday night as when they weren't 'singing' it was a good lighthearted evening. Presumably they were 'friends' with someone?!?! And it didn't finish until 8pm and that was only cause of the football. It was good to hear from the drivers past and present the one pain was the batteries ran out on my phone and camera!Also how did you get so close to the Force India garage?
I made a short video on my iphone 4 take a look. Remember to select HD 720p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tLadwgD9r4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tLadwgD9r4
fatal said:
I made a short video on my iphone 4 take a look. Remember to select HD 720p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tLadwgD9r4
It's really great - brings back happy memories....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tLadwgD9r4
.
RJB_666 said:
Nice photos. My camera couldn't quite get that close to the cars, i'm tempted every year by an slr. I left the grand prix party as soon as the girl band started so didn't see Jordan on stage.
Also how did you get so close to the Force India garage?
The gig I was talking about was on the camp site, not in the circuit. I got into the Force India factory because I know someone who works there - can't tell you how cool it is - I even got to sit in one of the cars!Also how did you get so close to the Force India garage?
Sir Bagalot said:
I only did general admission back in the days you could also buy a centre transfer. Since then Grandstands. Simple reason. Better viewing and you don't have to get there at stupid o'clock on a Sunday!
We arrived at Stowe at 8am on the Sunday and found a brilliant viewpoint.I still think that general admission is great value for the 3 days - especially if you actually want to watch all the racing rather than just roll into your grandstand seat for the F1 and ignore the rest, which a surprising number of people seem to do.
Worries me that if more stands are going to be built over the next few years then space for general admission will decrease - and prices go up significantly if we're forced into the stands.
markcoznottz said:
I hate the fact that the 'plebs' (ie us), have to slum it behind a fence on some gravel, while the more priviliged members get better viewing, comfort, facilities, etc. Its so cynical. In fact i can think of no other sport where this is the case. A football fan can see a good view of a match with a normal ticket, golf you can get close up, etc, the corporates may get btter food and drink, but the fans arent left out.
Try becoming a Marshal - That way you get to see the cars really close up (at times) and for freeI had a seat at Becketts (was a gift) - I was there at 7am and there were about three people in the whole stand!
It was my first time and I'm so annoyed I have not been to a GP before, it really was excellent. Never appreciated the crowd element of a race, it adds a lot to the experience I thought.
Not sure if it were my money if I would buy another grandstand seat, the view was excellent - you could see most of the new part of the track plus the TV screens but I did wonder how much more you actually see compared to the people stood trackside.
I was dreading the drive home - I did Silverstone to East London in 2 hours flat, hardly saw a traffic jam. Went north out of Silverstone Village and picked up then south, crossed the traffic on the A43, went through Tocester and down the A5 to pick up the M1.
It was my first time and I'm so annoyed I have not been to a GP before, it really was excellent. Never appreciated the crowd element of a race, it adds a lot to the experience I thought.
Not sure if it were my money if I would buy another grandstand seat, the view was excellent - you could see most of the new part of the track plus the TV screens but I did wonder how much more you actually see compared to the people stood trackside.
I was dreading the drive home - I did Silverstone to East London in 2 hours flat, hardly saw a traffic jam. Went north out of Silverstone Village and picked up then south, crossed the traffic on the A43, went through Tocester and down the A5 to pick up the M1.
Rob P said:
I
I was dreading the drive home - I did Silverstone to East London in 2 hours flat, hardly saw a traffic jam. Went north out of Silverstone Village and picked up then south, crossed the traffic on the A43, went through Tocester and down the A5 to pick up the M1.
It seemed unusualy quiet this year for the Sunday on the drive home. Normaly that journey is a good 3 and a half hours (maybe more) after the race on Sunday.I was dreading the drive home - I did Silverstone to East London in 2 hours flat, hardly saw a traffic jam. Went north out of Silverstone Village and picked up then south, crossed the traffic on the A43, went through Tocester and down the A5 to pick up the M1.
covboy said:
markcoznottz said:
I hate the fact that the 'plebs' (ie us), have to slum it behind a fence on some gravel, while the more priviliged members get better viewing, comfort, facilities, etc. Its so cynical. In fact i can think of no other sport where this is the case. A football fan can see a good view of a match with a normal ticket, golf you can get close up, etc, the corporates may get btter food and drink, but the fans arent left out.
Try becoming a Marshal - That way you get to see the cars really close up (at times) and for freeForums | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff