A1 Grand Prix Brands Hatch 25th September
Discussion
Spectacular, truly spectacular opening ceremony, big, big crowds, plenty of atmosphere, good weather, great racing - what a show Sheik Maktoum al Maktoum has put together. Mr JP & his crew also deserve massive applause. I've never seen Brands looking so good.
This is going to be big. Book your tickets for next year as soon as you can.
I've done F1 for many years. F1 is faster, louder. On first impressions, A1 is probably a better overall package (14 races over the weekend for one thing)although they need to put success ballast (lots) in Nelson Piquet's car, such was his superiority, if it's not going to be Brazil 12, Rest of the World Nil.
Congrats to John Hartshorne in the T400R for putting up a good race alongside the Moslers.
Everyone I spoke to in our box, without exception, agreed that the event as a whole was a huge success for all concerned.
This is going to be big. Book your tickets for next year as soon as you can.
I've done F1 for many years. F1 is faster, louder. On first impressions, A1 is probably a better overall package (14 races over the weekend for one thing)although they need to put success ballast (lots) in Nelson Piquet's car, such was his superiority, if it's not going to be Brazil 12, Rest of the World Nil.
Congrats to John Hartshorne in the T400R for putting up a good race alongside the Moslers.
Everyone I spoke to in our box, without exception, agreed that the event as a whole was a huge success for all concerned.
Did everyone get in to the circuit in time?
I was on my way to a hovercraft event and the traffic for Brands was queuing on the M25 from Junction 3 to 4, going the other way it was nearly at the Dartford Crossing and this was around 9.15.
Suppose it didn't help that in true British fasion Junction 2 of the M20 was closed!
I was on my way to a hovercraft event and the traffic for Brands was queuing on the M25 from Junction 3 to 4, going the other way it was nearly at the Dartford Crossing and this was around 9.15.
Suppose it didn't help that in true British fasion Junction 2 of the M20 was closed!
thoroughly enjoyed the day. i had forgotten what an awesome venue the GP circuit is. Watch them at Druids, hop over the bridge walk ten minutes and you are at Dingle Dell about ten foot from the cars! walk a further ten minutes and you are at clearways.
The A1 format needs tweaking but the racing ws good. hte cars looked like proper racers and sounded great too. Its not going to challenge F1 though, purely because of the drivers. the difference was incredible. Nelsoninho was killing them, easily two seconds a lap quicker than the Auusie in second place and as for the Russian and Chinese at the back..... Supporting your country was a novel idea and though it might not take off here (perhaps we are too reserved!?) my thoughts are though, it will flourish in the far east and central europe. Still there were lots of flags of different nationalities which was good. £35 and children go free was inspired, took the piss out of silverstone and F1 in terms of ticket prices, yeah so its not the big names racing like your Alonsos and your Schumachers but there is a mark up and there is a mortgage...
Everyone in the crowd enjoyed it, rumours of 70,000 people + there, the support races were good, air displays and general carnival atmosphere all made for a great day out. Only when we walked around paddock hill after the Caterhams did we see all the merchandising stuff and the fun fair. I am glad we spent the day on the GP circuit but it was all part of the event for others. I can not thank enough the person who brought the Ferrari 312 to the TGP race... hearing that, and a chorus of DFVs through the woods was awesome. thank you thank you thank you.
less than spectacular bits, still on the M25 at 9pm and people expecting me to part with £5.50 for a rat buger and chips.......
edited to say the place was looking good too, there has been abit of money spent at brands and i imagine a lot of people will return for some more races next season who might not have otherwise gone.
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 26th September 08:06
The A1 format needs tweaking but the racing ws good. hte cars looked like proper racers and sounded great too. Its not going to challenge F1 though, purely because of the drivers. the difference was incredible. Nelsoninho was killing them, easily two seconds a lap quicker than the Auusie in second place and as for the Russian and Chinese at the back..... Supporting your country was a novel idea and though it might not take off here (perhaps we are too reserved!?) my thoughts are though, it will flourish in the far east and central europe. Still there were lots of flags of different nationalities which was good. £35 and children go free was inspired, took the piss out of silverstone and F1 in terms of ticket prices, yeah so its not the big names racing like your Alonsos and your Schumachers but there is a mark up and there is a mortgage...
Everyone in the crowd enjoyed it, rumours of 70,000 people + there, the support races were good, air displays and general carnival atmosphere all made for a great day out. Only when we walked around paddock hill after the Caterhams did we see all the merchandising stuff and the fun fair. I am glad we spent the day on the GP circuit but it was all part of the event for others. I can not thank enough the person who brought the Ferrari 312 to the TGP race... hearing that, and a chorus of DFVs through the woods was awesome. thank you thank you thank you.
less than spectacular bits, still on the M25 at 9pm and people expecting me to part with £5.50 for a rat buger and chips.......
edited to say the place was looking good too, there has been abit of money spent at brands and i imagine a lot of people will return for some more races next season who might not have otherwise gone.
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 26th September 08:06
I've put a few pictures in a temporary gallery here (I will move them to me real site at some point) http://homepage.mac.com/robbieduncan/PhotoAlbum21.html
pablo said:
thoroughly enjoyed the day. i had forgotten what an awesome venue the GP circuit is. Watch them at Druids, hop over the bridge walk ten minutes and you are at Dingle Dell about ten foot from the cars! walk a further ten minutes and you are at clearways.
The A1 format needs tweaking but the racing ws good. hte cars looked like proper racers and sounded great too. Its not going to challenge F1 though, purely because of the drivers. the difference was incredible. Nelsoninho was killing them, easily two seconds a lap quicker than the Auusie in second place and as for the Russian and Chinese at the back..... Supporting your country was a novel idea and though it might not take off here (perhaps we are too reserved!?) my thoughts are though, it will flourish in the far east and central europe. Still there were lots of flags of different nationalities which was good. £35 and children go free was inspired, took the piss out of silverstone and F1 in terms of ticket prices, yeah so its not the big names racing like your Alonsos and your Schumachers but there is a mark up and there is a mortgage...
Everyone in the crowd enjoyed it, rumours of 70,000 people + there, the support races were good, air displays and general carnival atmosphere all made for a great day out. Only when we walked around paddock hill after the Caterhams did we see all the merchandising stuff and the fun fair. I am glad we spent the day on the GP circuit but it was all part of the event for others. I can not thank enough the person who brought the Ferrari 312 to the TGP race... hearing that, and a chorus of DFVs through the woods was awesome. thank you thank you thank you.
less than spectacular bits, still on the M25 at 9pm and people expecting me to part with £5.50 for a rat buger and chips.......
edited to say the place was looking good too, there has been abit of money spent at brands and i imagine a lot of people will return for some more races next season who might not have otherwise gone.
>> Edited by pablo on Monday 26th September 08:06
I second this,a fantastic day...we were at Paddock Hill.
Steve
>> Edited by sb-1 on Monday 26th September 11:36
As someone who has not paid to see a race meeting for over 2 years and was expecting to get in to this for free (friends racing etc) I have to say I was seriously impressed by the A1GP, even though I had to buy a ticket myself for once.
I thought they made the whole event feel pretty special - loads going on & big screens everywhere. I can imagine it was a great event for a family to go to as there was always something to see. The circuit was well presented and the whole setup looked very polished. Biggest shock of the day was seeing someone cleaning the toilets which I don't ever remember seeing at a race circuit! Shame about the traffic planning though... it took me about a hour to leave the circuit, and I started queueing an 7.30!
If they can keep the cost down to those kind of levels and the amount of entertainment up they'll have a real hit on their hands.
>> Edited by egomeister on Monday 26th September 11:45
I thought they made the whole event feel pretty special - loads going on & big screens everywhere. I can imagine it was a great event for a family to go to as there was always something to see. The circuit was well presented and the whole setup looked very polished. Biggest shock of the day was seeing someone cleaning the toilets which I don't ever remember seeing at a race circuit! Shame about the traffic planning though... it took me about a hour to leave the circuit, and I started queueing an 7.30!
If they can keep the cost down to those kind of levels and the amount of entertainment up they'll have a real hit on their hands.
>> Edited by egomeister on Monday 26th September 11:45
I thought it was a superb event: well organised, plenty to do, great atmosphere and superb racing. The A1GP races were really good, but the highlight for me was the Thoroughbred GP cars - awesome. 
Very friendly and enthusiastic crowd - special thanks go to the South African guys who gave us their grandstand tickets.
Very friendly and enthusiastic crowd - special thanks go to the South African guys who gave us their grandstand tickets.
pablo said:
forogt to add, did anyone else stand speechless watching the nutter in the Honda acrobatic plane "hover" in the air..... he was a certified nutter, not only pulling off those stunts but also talking to the commentator whilst doing it.... bonkers.
Oh yeah! That was amazing.
I went with my wife (1st car event for her)
Wow, what a day! Great weather, great racing. What a shame team GB's engine went.
Mind you, i had to say something to two scroaty S
S that they will have their air horns inserted sideways if they didn't stop blasting them every 2 seconds! (bloody things)
>> Edited by waynester on Tuesday 27th September 08:57
Wow, what a day! Great weather, great racing. What a shame team GB's engine went.
Mind you, i had to say something to two scroaty S
S that they will have their air horns inserted sideways if they didn't stop blasting them every 2 seconds! (bloody things) >> Edited by waynester on Tuesday 27th September 08:57
pablo said:Watched this from the support padock - it was amazing to see more and more people coming out of their awnings and just stare up at the sky. That was one powerful plane and one very brave pilot.
forogt to add, did anyone else stand speechless watching the nutter in the Honda acrobatic plane "hover" in the air..... he was a certified nutter, not only pulling off those stunts but also talking to the commentator whilst doing it.... bonkers.
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