Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch - tips please
Discussion
I am considering taking my sons aged 14 and 8 to the Masters Historic Festival at Brands on Sunday. It is the first time we will have gone to such an event. They don't know much about motor racing but have some interest in cars and things mechanical and seem to respond to my enthusiasm.
Do you think this would be a good event to take them to that will encourage such interest as they have?
If so, do any of you have any advice re. logistics for a newbie at this sort of thing, i.e. is parking a nightmare, when should we aim to arrive, should we bring our own lunch or is the food OK?
I have little doubt I will enjoy it but want to do what I can to ensure the boys enjoy it too.
Thank you for any feedback.
Do you think this would be a good event to take them to that will encourage such interest as they have?
If so, do any of you have any advice re. logistics for a newbie at this sort of thing, i.e. is parking a nightmare, when should we aim to arrive, should we bring our own lunch or is the food OK?
I have little doubt I will enjoy it but want to do what I can to ensure the boys enjoy it too.
Thank you for any feedback.
Be warned the viewing has now been heavily restricted on the GP loop, and if you are an amateur snapper be prepared for endless fencing. You cannot watch at Stirlings anymore much, and you will be sent on a merry little walk through the forest rather than being able to watch trackside at certain places.
If you have never been before this might not bother you, but if you had been going for years this will largely ruin your enjoyment, it certainly did mine.
Cars are great, rest of track is great, just don't expect to see all you might want to on the loop
If you have never been before this might not bother you, but if you had been going for years this will largely ruin your enjoyment, it certainly did mine.
Cars are great, rest of track is great, just don't expect to see all you might want to on the loop
Plenty of parking - albeit in a field. I've never had problems in normal cars but something very low might have a problem. You can park inside for £5 or so, print a pass off their website to put on your dash if you want to do that and they can direct you the right way for it. If you'll be bringing a picnic then parking on the southbank is a nice spot and saves a big walk out to the car to get your stuff.
Pretty much opposite the race control tower you can go between the grandstands and find the foot tunnel to get over to the garages & GP paddock. It's worth a wander over if it's open (most events it is). The lower paddock is usually open too and you can see all the cars being worked on.
Lots of good places to watch so worth wandering around - inside Druids is nice (and has some shade on a hot day), and worth a wander up from Druids over the bridge and around the GP course if you fancy the walk - lower fencing is better for photos. If you want to sit in a grandstand, Paddock Hill one gives a great view of much of the indy circuit.
Food is mostly burger vans spread around the circuit, the Kentagon does OK hot food, we tend to just take a picnic.
Pretty much opposite the race control tower you can go between the grandstands and find the foot tunnel to get over to the garages & GP paddock. It's worth a wander over if it's open (most events it is). The lower paddock is usually open too and you can see all the cars being worked on.
Lots of good places to watch so worth wandering around - inside Druids is nice (and has some shade on a hot day), and worth a wander up from Druids over the bridge and around the GP course if you fancy the walk - lower fencing is better for photos. If you want to sit in a grandstand, Paddock Hill one gives a great view of much of the indy circuit.
Food is mostly burger vans spread around the circuit, the Kentagon does OK hot food, we tend to just take a picnic.
Looking forward to this event although I have never been before so no idea what to expect!
Apparently there will be a Ferrari 512M in action too.
We have access to a suite in the Brabham Stewart building, no food etc is being provided but if anyone is planning to go and has not got tickets yet there is plenty of space.
Apparently there will be a Ferrari 512M in action too.
We have access to a suite in the Brabham Stewart building, no food etc is being provided but if anyone is planning to go and has not got tickets yet there is plenty of space.
Edited by LDM on Monday 20th May 16:03
Normally a very good meeting, entry list for the Masters series can be found below:
http://www.mastershistoricracing.com/masters-histo...
Along with a timetable. the YTCC race will be good, a Dutch series which has everything from Trabants to Porsche 935s...
Shouldn't be too busy, but might be a small queue to get in.
There is now more fencing round the GP loop, but you can still get close the cars out the back, still worth a visit.
Should be a good day! Just remember to pack for every weather eventuality...
http://www.mastershistoricracing.com/masters-histo...
Along with a timetable. the YTCC race will be good, a Dutch series which has everything from Trabants to Porsche 935s...
Shouldn't be too busy, but might be a small queue to get in.
There is now more fencing round the GP loop, but you can still get close the cars out the back, still worth a visit.
Should be a good day! Just remember to pack for every weather eventuality...
I attend lot's of Masters/historic meetings and think this is the best one. The pits/paddock are friendly and I can highly recommend lurking around the back of the pits 10-15 minutes before the F1 cars go out for qualifying. The noise of DFVs firing up will focus your lads attention! You could also stand by where the pedestrian tunnel comes out down the center and watch the cars exiting the pit lane.
Food wise the Kentagon or Hailwoods offer good food at a reasonable price. During the longer races using TSL live timing will keep you in check with what's going on and remember when there are driver changes some drivers are a lot quicker than others! Above all have a great weekend and walk the GP circuit.
Food wise the Kentagon or Hailwoods offer good food at a reasonable price. During the longer races using TSL live timing will keep you in check with what's going on and remember when there are driver changes some drivers are a lot quicker than others! Above all have a great weekend and walk the GP circuit.
I'd recommend the in-field parking. You can leave stuff in the car without having to lug it round all day.....but get there early as there's only two gates in to the in-field and can take a while!
Food in the Kentagon (and Hawthorns Cafe) is actually rather decent and not 'too' pricey. They do a rather tasty roast for about £8.00 IIRC.
Do take your lads into the pits and paddock. Don't be afraid of chatting to the drivers (unless they're just about to get in and race or have just totalled it in the armco!).
It won't be heaving but likely to be busy. Don't discount going on Saturday when it will be a lot quieter but still plenty of on-track action.
One last thing, if you're approaching from the north on the M25, there's a boot fair at the golf course at the top of the A20 as you come off the motorway which causes a bit of a hold up. I tend to head down the M20 and come off at the next junction and head to the circuit along the A20 from the east.
Enjoy!
Food in the Kentagon (and Hawthorns Cafe) is actually rather decent and not 'too' pricey. They do a rather tasty roast for about £8.00 IIRC.
Do take your lads into the pits and paddock. Don't be afraid of chatting to the drivers (unless they're just about to get in and race or have just totalled it in the armco!).
It won't be heaving but likely to be busy. Don't discount going on Saturday when it will be a lot quieter but still plenty of on-track action.
One last thing, if you're approaching from the north on the M25, there's a boot fair at the golf course at the top of the A20 as you come off the motorway which causes a bit of a hold up. I tend to head down the M20 and come off at the next junction and head to the circuit along the A20 from the east.
Enjoy!
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff