Festival of speed first timer 2024
Discussion
dr_gn said:
I have to say I was surprised at the acceleration and speed of some of the HyperCars and EV stuff, to the extent that I wondered how long it would be before chain link fencing goes up near corners (or it just becomes a low-speed procession).
Most of the cars were really well demonstrated in terms of performance (and sound) which was brilliant to see. Loved it yesterday. Now for RIAT…
I've often wondered how the public liability insurance works for an event like this. The tickets/booking always says 'Motorsport can be dangerous', but presumably this doesn't absolve them of any liability.Most of the cars were really well demonstrated in terms of performance (and sound) which was brilliant to see. Loved it yesterday. Now for RIAT…
If a car crashed and someone gets injured from flying debris, would they be able to claim?
God knows how it works with FoS, considering how close you get and that the cars get upwards of 150mph.
As for higher bales due to EVs, well they didn't have higher bales last year, even though it was '22 that the record was set. Who knows why this year (and it seems that it was mainly ICE that crashed this year
).I've never gone for the Grandstand tickets but we would consider them next time. Whilst I'm 6'3" and could see everything OK, my wife is 5'6" and really struggled to see most of the action on the actual track due to the higher bales this year.
The screens are good but sometimes they decide to follow a car all the way up the hill to the finish line, which means the two cars coming behind it don't get shown.
The screens are good but sometimes they decide to follow a car all the way up the hill to the finish line, which means the two cars coming behind it don't get shown.
Went yesterday had a very enjoyable day. Weather was good ( actually scorching in the afternoon) some fantastic machines being used as they should and plenty to look at.
Costs for stuff were generally a bit (as you would expect) steep-
Program at £22 but given the excellent quality and you get to keep it as a mommento of the day not exorbitant
Beer at £7:60 pricey but I’m used to central London prices usually £6:50ish so again not too bad
but £9 for poor quality bacon and egg roll that in normal circumstances would be £4:50 at worst was a bit of a piss take
Lots to see/do and I’m glad I finally got round to going after saying I would for a good few years.
Would i go again? - nope
Why ? - the crowds. Everyone was civil and orderly but there were just SO MANY people that getting a good view of the cars going up the hill, trying to see the exhibits, going round the pits (ie all the things you’ve paid to go and do)was just painful, everything had crowds of people 3/4 deep around it. Even just trying to get around the site or going to take a leak meant shuffling around at a snails pace with the crowds and interminable queuing. Been to big events like this before and usually things settle down as the day goes on as people spread out , find their bearings, tick off some bits on their “to do” list etc but it was just massive crowds, all day , on every part of the site.
Don’t know if Sunday is worse with it being the final day or if the other days are any quieter ???
So in short- it’s a good day out, pricey but worth it but very, very busy.
Costs for stuff were generally a bit (as you would expect) steep-
Program at £22 but given the excellent quality and you get to keep it as a mommento of the day not exorbitant
Beer at £7:60 pricey but I’m used to central London prices usually £6:50ish so again not too bad
but £9 for poor quality bacon and egg roll that in normal circumstances would be £4:50 at worst was a bit of a piss take
Lots to see/do and I’m glad I finally got round to going after saying I would for a good few years.
Would i go again? - nope
Why ? - the crowds. Everyone was civil and orderly but there were just SO MANY people that getting a good view of the cars going up the hill, trying to see the exhibits, going round the pits (ie all the things you’ve paid to go and do)was just painful, everything had crowds of people 3/4 deep around it. Even just trying to get around the site or going to take a leak meant shuffling around at a snails pace with the crowds and interminable queuing. Been to big events like this before and usually things settle down as the day goes on as people spread out , find their bearings, tick off some bits on their “to do” list etc but it was just massive crowds, all day , on every part of the site.
Don’t know if Sunday is worse with it being the final day or if the other days are any quieter ???
So in short- it’s a good day out, pricey but worth it but very, very busy.
Rockettvr said:
Went yesterday had a very enjoyable day. Weather was good ( actually scorching in the afternoon) some fantastic machines being used as they should and plenty to look at.
Costs for stuff were generally a bit (as you would expect) steep-
Program at £22 but given the excellent quality and you get to keep it as a mommento of the day not exorbitant
Beer at £7:60 pricey but I’m used to central London prices usually £6:50ish so again not too bad
but £9 for poor quality bacon and egg roll that in normal circumstances would be £4:50 at worst was a bit of a piss take
Lots to see/do and I’m glad I finally got round to going after saying I would for a good few years.
Would i go again? - nope
Why ? - the crowds. Everyone was civil and orderly but there were just SO MANY people that getting a good view of the cars going up the hill, trying to see the exhibits, going round the pits (ie all the things you’ve paid to go and do)was just painful, everything had crowds of people 3/4 deep around it. Even just trying to get around the site or going to take a leak meant shuffling around at a snails pace with the crowds and interminable queuing. Been to big events like this before and usually things settle down as the day goes on as people spread out , find their bearings, tick off some bits on their “to do” list etc but it was just massive crowds, all day , on every part of the site.
Don’t know if Sunday is worse with it being the final day or if the other days are any quieter ???
So in short- it’s a good day out, pricey but worth it but very, very busy.
To depress you even further, we usually go on the Sunday and thought yesterday was quieter than usual...Costs for stuff were generally a bit (as you would expect) steep-
Program at £22 but given the excellent quality and you get to keep it as a mommento of the day not exorbitant
Beer at £7:60 pricey but I’m used to central London prices usually £6:50ish so again not too bad
but £9 for poor quality bacon and egg roll that in normal circumstances would be £4:50 at worst was a bit of a piss take
Lots to see/do and I’m glad I finally got round to going after saying I would for a good few years.
Would i go again? - nope
Why ? - the crowds. Everyone was civil and orderly but there were just SO MANY people that getting a good view of the cars going up the hill, trying to see the exhibits, going round the pits (ie all the things you’ve paid to go and do)was just painful, everything had crowds of people 3/4 deep around it. Even just trying to get around the site or going to take a leak meant shuffling around at a snails pace with the crowds and interminable queuing. Been to big events like this before and usually things settle down as the day goes on as people spread out , find their bearings, tick off some bits on their “to do” list etc but it was just massive crowds, all day , on every part of the site.
Don’t know if Sunday is worse with it being the final day or if the other days are any quieter ???
So in short- it’s a good day out, pricey but worth it but very, very busy.
I went on the Saturday and don’t really have anything negative to say - we got soaked for a bit, but didn’t seem as caught out as others 
Entry: We arrived at around 9:30 and it took no more than 10 minutes to get from the back of the queues into the car park. Then a short walk across a golf course into the supercar area.
Grandstands: Would’ve been nice at times, but we somehow blagged our way onto the sky stand just before filming took place - we had to move from our great spot to let Rachel Brookes, Karun Chandhok and Max Chilton through for filming We also got up onto the BMW owners stand.. you only had to show you have the MyBMW app to be allowed on. There were also great vantage points higher up the hill so it’s very possible to see everything without paying extra.
Food/drink: we took lunch, so didn’t actually need anything at all but there was a steak and chips place half way up the hill at £15, which seemed pretty decent value to me. Free water and redbull dotted around too!
Crowds: yes, some stuff was busy sometimes. We were in the supercar paddock as they were leaving for a run and it was carnage.. except for that we didn’t wait more than a minute or two to get to the front of any area.
All in all a great day out. We walked nearly 20km in total so it can be exhausting especially if you had kids in tow, but left feeling we’d covered pretty much everything.
Entry: We arrived at around 9:30 and it took no more than 10 minutes to get from the back of the queues into the car park. Then a short walk across a golf course into the supercar area.
Grandstands: Would’ve been nice at times, but we somehow blagged our way onto the sky stand just before filming took place - we had to move from our great spot to let Rachel Brookes, Karun Chandhok and Max Chilton through for filming
We also got up onto the BMW owners stand.. you only had to show you have the MyBMW app to be allowed on. There were also great vantage points higher up the hill so it’s very possible to see everything without paying extra. Food/drink: we took lunch, so didn’t actually need anything at all but there was a steak and chips place half way up the hill at £15, which seemed pretty decent value to me. Free water and redbull dotted around too!
Crowds: yes, some stuff was busy sometimes. We were in the supercar paddock as they were leaving for a run and it was carnage.. except for that we didn’t wait more than a minute or two to get to the front of any area.
All in all a great day out. We walked nearly 20km in total so it can be exhausting especially if you had kids in tow, but left feeling we’d covered pretty much everything.
Deranged Rover said:
I've never gone for the Grandstand tickets but we would consider them next time. Whilst I'm 6'3" and could see everything OK, my wife is 5'6" and really struggled to see most of the action on the actual track due to the higher bales this year.
The screens are good but sometimes they decide to follow a car all the way up the hill to the finish line, which means the two cars coming behind it don't get shown.
Agreed, mainly saw the tops of lots of cars and I am slightly taller than youThe screens are good but sometimes they decide to follow a car all the way up the hill to the finish line, which means the two cars coming behind it don't get shown.
Rockettvr said:
Went yesterday had a very enjoyable day. Weather was good ( actually scorching in the afternoon) some fantastic machines being used as they should and plenty to look at.
Costs for stuff were generally a bit (as you would expect) steep-
Program at £22 but given the excellent quality and you get to keep it as a mommento of the day not exorbitant
Beer at £7:60 pricey but I’m used to central London prices usually £6:50ish so again not too bad
but £9 for poor quality bacon and egg roll that in normal circumstances would be £4:50 at worst was a bit of a piss take
Lots to see/do and I’m glad I finally got round to going after saying I would for a good few years.
Would i go again? - nope
Why ? - the crowds. Everyone was civil and orderly but there were just SO MANY people that getting a good view of the cars going up the hill, trying to see the exhibits, going round the pits (ie all the things you’ve paid to go and do)was just painful, everything had crowds of people 3/4 deep around it. Even just trying to get around the site or going to take a leak meant shuffling around at a snails pace with the crowds and interminable queuing. Been to big events like this before and usually things settle down as the day goes on as people spread out , find their bearings, tick off some bits on their “to do” list etc but it was just massive crowds, all day , on every part of the site.
Don’t know if Sunday is worse with it being the final day or if the other days are any quieter ???
So in short- it’s a good day out, pricey but worth it but very, very busy.
Agree, the crowds are the worst part of the day, but of course we are part of the crowd!Costs for stuff were generally a bit (as you would expect) steep-
Program at £22 but given the excellent quality and you get to keep it as a mommento of the day not exorbitant
Beer at £7:60 pricey but I’m used to central London prices usually £6:50ish so again not too bad
but £9 for poor quality bacon and egg roll that in normal circumstances would be £4:50 at worst was a bit of a piss take
Lots to see/do and I’m glad I finally got round to going after saying I would for a good few years.
Would i go again? - nope
Why ? - the crowds. Everyone was civil and orderly but there were just SO MANY people that getting a good view of the cars going up the hill, trying to see the exhibits, going round the pits (ie all the things you’ve paid to go and do)was just painful, everything had crowds of people 3/4 deep around it. Even just trying to get around the site or going to take a leak meant shuffling around at a snails pace with the crowds and interminable queuing. Been to big events like this before and usually things settle down as the day goes on as people spread out , find their bearings, tick off some bits on their “to do” list etc but it was just massive crowds, all day , on every part of the site.
Don’t know if Sunday is worse with it being the final day or if the other days are any quieter ???
So in short- it’s a good day out, pricey but worth it but very, very busy.
As people advised on here previously, next year we'll try to get there 30 minutes earlier for when the gates open.
Do the F1 paddocks when there's fewer people, then cross the track and get installed in a Grandstand about 10:30 for the duration. Then wander around that side of the track, cross and back to the car via the F1 paddock again.
Wouldn't even consider not having a grandstand ticket, although I'd expect other people will have the same idea and the best spots will soon fill up for the day.
Either way - loved it.
Just an observation on the bales - mine was a return after many years this weekend.
The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
Whilst initially me and my mate were a bit the same about the bales lower down the track, we headed up top towards the rally satve fairly early where it was a bit quieter, stayed up that way until around 11, thought the views were much better up there too.
Massively enjoyed the rally stage.
To be honest, I massively enjoyed all of it. The price of everything is expensive but any event like that where you're essentially at the mercy of the location unless you take your own, you are going to pay the prices.
Massively enjoyed the rally stage.
To be honest, I massively enjoyed all of it. The price of everything is expensive but any event like that where you're essentially at the mercy of the location unless you take your own, you are going to pay the prices.
It was my/our first time yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Expensive for food/drink definitely but no different to other event catering and the quality seemed better than the usual run of the mill burger type offerings you often get.
My partner is quite small so struggled seeing over the hay bails so found a seat in the shade in the cricket pitch and watched from there and wandered around some of the many pavilions/stands. She still said she enjoyed the day and would like to go back. Most likely go for grandstand tickets though.
We had spent Friday and Saturday in London so the crowds didn’t seem too exceptional, still plenty of places to get close up views. We had no problems getting close in the paddocks and other areas. Places like the Cartier lawn seemed fairly quiet, though I prefer the older stuff over the new so perhaps other places were busier?
We got there about 8-ish and went straight in, no queueing (from the Guildford direction). Getting out was quick with a few short hold ups at the first couple of junctions but I have seen far worse elsewhere.
Overall I thought it was a great, if tiring, day out and we would go again. Probably too much to realistically see in a day, so maybe two days makes more sense!
Expensive for food/drink definitely but no different to other event catering and the quality seemed better than the usual run of the mill burger type offerings you often get.
My partner is quite small so struggled seeing over the hay bails so found a seat in the shade in the cricket pitch and watched from there and wandered around some of the many pavilions/stands. She still said she enjoyed the day and would like to go back. Most likely go for grandstand tickets though.
We had spent Friday and Saturday in London so the crowds didn’t seem too exceptional, still plenty of places to get close up views. We had no problems getting close in the paddocks and other areas. Places like the Cartier lawn seemed fairly quiet, though I prefer the older stuff over the new so perhaps other places were busier?
We got there about 8-ish and went straight in, no queueing (from the Guildford direction). Getting out was quick with a few short hold ups at the first couple of junctions but I have seen far worse elsewhere.
Overall I thought it was a great, if tiring, day out and we would go again. Probably too much to realistically see in a day, so maybe two days makes more sense!
Ranger 6 said:
Just an observation on the bales - mine was a return after many years this weekend.
The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
An observation on the wider bales and stand off rope - from talking to one of the MSUK Safety team, the problem is not the speed, but the fact that cars are getting heavier while doing the same 100mph+ up the hill - need more mass between the car and the crowd to handle the kinetic energy. The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
ecsrobin said:
Interesting how my bit of advice for first timers is never buy a grandstand ticket as you won’t have time to use it! Just shows we all want different things from FOS.
My advice is the opposite-always buy a grandstand ticket so that you've got somewhere to go to sit, shelter from the weather and watch the action. The other essential is get there no later than 7.30 amPaul Dishman said:
ecsrobin said:
Interesting how my bit of advice for first timers is never buy a grandstand ticket as you won’t have time to use it! Just shows we all want different things from FOS.
My advice is the opposite-always buy a grandstand ticket so that you've got somewhere to go to sit, shelter from the weather and watch the action. The other essential is get there no later than 7.30 amThat's what we will be doing next year anyway.
Ed Moses said:
Ranger 6 said:
Just an observation on the bales - mine was a return after many years this weekend.
The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
An observation on the wider bales and stand off rope - from talking to one of the MSUK Safety team, the problem is not the speed, but the fact that cars are getting heavier while doing the same 100mph+ up the hill - need more mass between the car and the crowd to handle the kinetic energy. The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
horacethefrog said:
I've read this entire thread and am astonished that there has not been a single mention of the massively increased height and depth of the straw bales this year. I walked the entire length of the hill and discovered that there were only two places where you could see the entire car going up the hill - opposite the house and at the exit of the flint wall. I'm six foot tall and everywhere else I could just see the drivers head. Anyone of more compact stature would see precisely nothing. Yet people still seemed to be content to stand 10-deep beside the hill watching drivers' heads go by. Bizarre.
Here's a visual comparison of the bale height. The bales are now positioned vertically adding ~30% to the height:
2023:
2024:
And I agree with the comments about the crowding - it is more extreme every year (I've been going every year since 1994) and I have never seen it so rammed as it was this year on the stretch of hill by the off-road arena. Oddly, it was much quieter than usual by the leap on the rally stage. Thank goodness most people are too lazy to walk to the top of the hill.
Here's a visual comparison of the bale height. The bales are now positioned vertically adding ~30% to the height:
2023:
2024:
And I agree with the comments about the crowding - it is more extreme every year (I've been going every year since 1994) and I have never seen it so rammed as it was this year on the stretch of hill by the off-road arena. Oddly, it was much quieter than usual by the leap on the rally stage. Thank goodness most people are too lazy to walk to the top of the hill.
Edited by horacethefrog on Tuesday 16th July 09:59
horacethefrog said:
Ed Moses said:
Ranger 6 said:
Just an observation on the bales - mine was a return after many years this weekend.
The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
An observation on the wider bales and stand off rope - from talking to one of the MSUK Safety team, the problem is not the speed, but the fact that cars are getting heavier while doing the same 100mph+ up the hill - need more mass between the car and the crowd to handle the kinetic energy. The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
horacethefrog said:
I've read this entire thread and am astonished that there has not been a single mention of the massively increased height and depth of the straw bales this year. I walked the entire length of the hill and discovered that there were only two places where you could see the entire car going up the hill - opposite the house and at the exit of the flint wall. I'm six foot tall and everywhere else I could just see the drivers head. Anyone of more compact stature would see precisely nothing. Yet people still seemed to be content to stand 10-deep beside the hill watching drivers' heads go by. Bizarre.
Here's a visual comparison of the bale height. The bales are now positioned vertically adding ~30% to the height:
2023:
2024:
And I agree with the comments about the crowding - it is more extreme every year (I've been going every year since 1994) and I have never seen it so rammed as it was this year on the stretch of hill by the off-road arena. Oddly, it was much quieter than usual by the leap on the rally stage. Thank goodness most people are too lazy to walk to the top of the hill.
Here's a visual comparison of the bale height. The bales are now positioned vertically adding ~30% to the height:
2023:
2024:
And I agree with the comments about the crowding - it is more extreme every year (I've been going every year since 1994) and I have never seen it so rammed as it was this year on the stretch of hill by the off-road arena. Oddly, it was much quieter than usual by the leap on the rally stage. Thank goodness most people are too lazy to walk to the top of the hill.
Edited by horacethefrog on Tuesday 16th July 09:59
dr_gn said:
The bales were positioned horizontally, 2 deep, then with a 1m or 2m gap to a rope line in front of our grandstand.
Agreed, the bails were indeed horizontal on some parts of the track but, as you say, two deep which has a similar effect on sight line to the track i.e. you still can see bugger all 
Whatever the reason, higher or wider, paying good money to not be able to see what you came to see is unacceptable.horacethefrog said:
dr_gn said:
The bales were positioned horizontally, 2 deep, then with a 1m or 2m gap to a rope line in front of our grandstand.
Agreed, the bails were indeed horizontal on some parts of the track but, as you say, two deep which has a similar effect on sight line to the track i.e. you still can see bugger all Whatever the reason, higher or wider, paying good money to not be able to see what you came to see is unacceptable.For the money, they ought to put a slightly raised platform behind the bales. Much easier said than done of course, but this isn't a cheap event to go to and be disappointed.
Ed Moses said:
Ranger 6 said:
Just an observation on the bales - mine was a return after many years this weekend.
The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
An observation on the wider bales and stand off rope - from talking to one of the MSUK Safety team, the problem is not the speed, but the fact that cars are getting heavier while doing the same 100mph+ up the hill - need more mass between the car and the crowd to handle the kinetic energy. The bales aren't higher - just twice as deep and with a rope barrier so you can't stand up against them. That simply reduces the viewing angle so as has been said, all you see is the top of the cars.
For those who went and didn't go to the rally stage, you missed some fantastic machinery, some of it being driven very well!!
Hence now, the double bales and rope barrier. The knock on affect is that if you want to see the cars, then you'll need a grandstand ticket. Or go to the rally stage where the cars are much more 'visible'.
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