What IF tracks could be run in both directions?
Discussion
N0ddie said:
I find driving Knockhill in reverse more enjoyable than "the right way round".
Surely somewhere like Silverstone (using the GP layout) would be fairly easy? Walls and barriers are miles from the track edge so changes should be simple?
Why would Silverstone management bother? Surely somewhere like Silverstone (using the GP layout) would be fairly easy? Walls and barriers are miles from the track edge so changes should be simple?
N0ddie said:
I find driving Knockhill in reverse more enjoyable than "the right way round".
Surely somewhere like Silverstone (using the GP layout) would be fairly easy? Walls and barriers are miles from the track edge so changes should be simple?
The difficulty at Silverstone, is that the runoffs are generally in the forward direction only. So look at Copse for example, the barrier is only about 10 yards from the corner exit if you're going the 'wrong' way, but it's still a flat 190mph corner. so you'd need to move the barrier back about 50 yards, which means moving the grandstand that goes there for the GP back 50 yards too. The 'last' corner at Abbey would be the same. The barriers on the long straights are an issue too, as they are angled and have exit points that become inadvertant entry points Surely somewhere like Silverstone (using the GP layout) would be fairly easy? Walls and barriers are miles from the track edge so changes should be simple?
You could probably do it for club racing, but not for FIA Grade I events (which I suspect is also the case at Knockhill, and why the reverse layout isn't used for BTCC, which requires a specific grade of circuit).
bigothunter said:
Knockhill still runs some club races anti-clockwise.
Knockhill in reverse looks buttock clenching on the downhill straight towards the hairpin. Big stop from 100-120mph+, so if your brakes fail then you'll end up totaled into either the barrier or another car. This has already happened in an SMRC race, will try and find the link.Silverstone ONLY do anything that makes money, they do not run events nowadays that lose it or could potentially, hence no WEC, GTWC, World Superbikes, and a fair few other things. That is now their business model, not to speculate but to accumulate, it is why so much infrastructure is being built, this is about making money as the hotel, apartments are not really their money they are just being paid for the hostage in some ways and hoping to cash in on the back of it.
This is a loss maker so has zero point. The only places that would consider it are somewhere like Castle Combe, Anglesey, Knockhill who still have some semblance of fun about them. Silverstone lost that many years ago which is why it such a dull, tepid place.
MSV, Silverstone would never dream of it as it is a risk financially.
This is a loss maker so has zero point. The only places that would consider it are somewhere like Castle Combe, Anglesey, Knockhill who still have some semblance of fun about them. Silverstone lost that many years ago which is why it such a dull, tepid place.
MSV, Silverstone would never dream of it as it is a risk financially.
LukeBrown66 said:
Silverstone ONLY do anything that makes money, they do not run events nowadays that lose it or could potentially, hence no WEC, GTWC, World Superbikes, and a fair few other things. That is now their business model, not to speculate but to accumulate, it is why so much infrastructure is being built, this is about making money as the hotel, apartments are not really their money they are just being paid for the hostage in some ways and hoping to cash in on the back of it.
This is a loss maker so has zero point. The only places that would consider it are somewhere like Castle Combe, Anglesey, Knockhill who still have some semblance of fun about them. Silverstone lost that many years ago which is why it such a dull, tepid place.
MSV, Silverstone would never dream of it as it is a risk financially.
Well, I went to the Pomeroy Trophy in February ,and splendid it was too , and although I had to get a ticket, it was free. As was F1 tyre testing for many years until the Eff One fan demographic cottoned on . You know the sort - know bugger all about any form of motorsport except F1and wet their pants if they see a driver in the flesh . This is a loss maker so has zero point. The only places that would consider it are somewhere like Castle Combe, Anglesey, Knockhill who still have some semblance of fun about them. Silverstone lost that many years ago which is why it such a dull, tepid place.
MSV, Silverstone would never dream of it as it is a risk financially.
andygo said:
I used to compete in single venue stage rallies and Oulton was always interesting the wrong way round.
SS 1 often used to be started from the pit lane, then a run up to Lodge, (often track was frosty), corner just over the crest, cold brakes and slicks.
Just where was your braking point and remembering that there is zero room for error an the exit of Lodge.
Next up was Druids, again zero run off on the exit, followed by the car going quite light over the crest and slightly sideways down the hill at Clay Brook.
Going the correct way round was a doddle in comparison.
Beat me to it SS 1 often used to be started from the pit lane, then a run up to Lodge, (often track was frosty), corner just over the crest, cold brakes and slicks.
Just where was your braking point and remembering that there is zero room for error an the exit of Lodge.
Next up was Druids, again zero run off on the exit, followed by the car going quite light over the crest and slightly sideways down the hill at Clay Brook.
Going the correct way round was a doddle in comparison.
I have also done Oulton backwards a few times and it’s bloody difficult and quite horrid. The Lodge bit made me LOL, it’s awful backwards, like driving into a funnel. Cascades backwards isn’t a barrel of laughs either.I have also driven Mallory Park backwards, which surprisingly isn’t too bad, not that dissimilar to forwards really it’s only got 4 real corners when all said and done. Gerard’s is a bit slow in and very fast out when you do it backwards, it’s sort of opens out backwards.
Fundamentally safety and run off areas are the big issues, there is a lot of thought and experience in the placement of barriers, kerbs and gravel traps. Good fun for a one off but not for serious Motorsport..
N0ddie said:
I find driving Knockhill in reverse more enjoyable than "the right way round".
Surely somewhere like Silverstone (using the GP layout) would be fairly easy? Walls and barriers are miles from the track edge so changes should be simple?
Walls and barriers are miles from the track, in the clockwise direction, however not necessarily in the return journey direction.Surely somewhere like Silverstone (using the GP layout) would be fairly easy? Walls and barriers are miles from the track edge so changes should be simple?
The run-off for reverse copse would be inadequate at the approach speed that cars would approach at, and a failure of braking into the reverse luffield complex would be very uncomfortable.
For me it is largely a pointless discussion , especially about tracks like Silverstone, and latterly even Donington . The problem isn't direction of travel , but that the track is rarely in the same post code as the spectator . Even Silverstone was far , far better in this respect in the 70s and 80s but the last hope was extinguished when Bridge was removed. Proximity adds so much - which is why , Cadwell, Goodwood and Anglesey are always a pleasure to attend .
coppice said:
Milkyway said:
Dog Star said:
Cadwell Park would be hysterical! 
Croft... 
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