Silverstone classic

Silverstone classic

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Pericoloso

44,044 posts

162 months

Saturday 27th July 2019
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I took lots of pics yesterday as it was dry ....smug face.

I'll post the best when I've uploaded them.

Same as above ,lots of new to me sights.

I chatted briefly to Tom Ingram ,BTCC driver, as he got something out of the Corvette Stingray he's driving this weekend.

Digga

40,204 posts

282 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Went Saturday. Management summary; crap weather, great racing and ace parking, right outside the Pie & Piston. Well organised, thank you Pistonheads! thumbup


Truckosaurus

11,183 posts

283 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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I good event despite the dodgy weather on Saturday (although that did lead to some amusing cornering action on track).

They really do need to build a bridge over to the Wing area to save a long stroll or queueing for a bus.

It seems they are building a small hotel across the track from the Wing too. I assume the idea is to charge thousands of Pounds for the GP weekend and have the rooms as mini hospitality suites.

Beer for a Fiver ('Silverstone' real ale, nice but a little flat) seemed better value than £3.10 for a modestly sized coffee. (Was a cheap skate and brought my own sangers and canned beer)

No queues in or out of the public parking that I experienced.

The track action seemed a bit inefficient compared to a club meeting, with lengthy gaps between races, even without things like having a half hour gap for Jackie Stewart to potter around for 3 laps. Perhaps have some other cars doing a demo at the same time.

Massive grids for most races was good to see, but I think the Minis, especially, got a bit lost on the wide Silverstone track compared to similar events I've seen this year at Brands (in person) and Goodwood (on tv).

indigochim

1,501 posts

129 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Had a great weekend despite the weather. So much to do and see. I think it's one of my favourite shows.

Digga

40,204 posts

282 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Truckosaurus said:
They really do need to build a bridge over to the Wing area to save a long stroll or queueing for a bus.
Agreed. This is something a good few people were saying. Fairly sure Silverstone could sort a foot bridge or tunnel pretty easily.

That said, a ride on a proper Routemaster is always good, clean nostalgic fun.

tonymor

Original Poster:

1,476 posts

171 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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My son and I attended on Sunday. Regrettable weather but good racing . Got the impression that it wasn't as busy as other years? That said no problem getting anywhere within the event and traffic non existent.

SV_WDC

678 posts

88 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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The weather would've put a downer on things but the organisation has improved a lot in the last few years.

Last year the weather was great & it was one of the busiest; but entry was a breeze; a welcome and surprising change from a few years before that.

Truckosaurus

11,183 posts

283 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Sunday was certainly quieter than Saturday, and not too much busier than the Friday.

scampbird

265 posts

281 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Enjoyed Sunday a lot. It was quiet, I was surprised at the lack of crowds. But that made it very pleasant to wander around.

I like the lack of pretentiousness of Silverstone Classic. Lots of great club stands on show with all sorts of cars from the "unexceptional" to the high end.

(Bicester Heritage would do well to ape this event rather than continually try to copy Goodwood, which it will never be).

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

211 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Went for a single day on Saturday. Used to do the whole weekend and camp at Litchlake but haven't been since 2016.

Crowds were obviously down due to the poor weather but the actual size of the show was much smaller than in previous years with quite a lot missing. Music is getting worse too, moved from known bands to cover bands.

I think one day is enough, I won't do a weekend there unless it gets better.

Zippee

13,439 posts

233 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Weather certainly put a lot of people off and this was noticeable both with crowds and also car clubs.
However, the club's are smaller these days. Ferrari for example had an area a 3rd of the size they did a few years back, same for Aston.
Racing grids are not as full or varied as they used to be, especially noticeable wandering round the paddocks which were a lot bigger and more bustling.
Whilst the weather played a big part there event is not at its hey day, and given the ticket prices I feel this will continue to get worse.

NotNormal

2,357 posts

213 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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As already mentioned in this thread it was certainly quieter than previous years but that's the same for any car show in this country when rain appears, so to be expected. Certainly was the easiest and most painless year for accessing and leaving the circuit though smile

Big shame about the weather which is what it is I guess and for me meant swapping cars for the event and no doubt as mentioned above meant a lot of cars stayed at home. Massive thanks to Pistonheads though for giving us the opportunity to park on the stand and the Pie and Piston breakfast was perfect to set us up for the day ahead.

The accessibility as always is second to none and wandering around the pits meant the rain wasn't too much of a pain on the Sat as we just watched the racing in the afternoon when it was dry.

mwstewart

7,554 posts

187 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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It remains my favourite event. The weather did certainly temper the visitor numbers, but we had a great time regardless. Thanks to PH for the stand.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Had a good weekend, was there for the 3 days. A shame about the weather and there are always things that could be complained about. But still enjoyable on the whole. smile


Truckosaurus

11,183 posts

283 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Zippee said:
...wandering round the paddocks which were a lot bigger and more bustling....
I don't think it helps that there are now two separate paddock areas so things get spread more thinly and more cars are 'hidden' in garages.

Engelberger

509 posts

66 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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Not many events you can go and get in the way of mechanics in the garage and have a chat to some drivers.

A great weekend despite the weather. Woodlands camp site is almost a show in of itself. Lots of very nice cars and some really pleasant people who are more than happy to have a chat.

Went to the auction for the first time this year to escape the weather - got let in free on Saturday but not Sunday. Saw Harry Metcalfe take interest in some cars but I didn't see him bid on Sunday for the Audi Quattro he was taking a great deal of time over on Saturday.

Overall cannot wait for next year.


anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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I’ll share the pics later.

Good day yesterday, weather, well it’s the UK!

Quite smitten with the Minis, spoke to the KAD guys at length. Historic F1, glorious, similarly the LM cars, loved the TVR. Good club turnout, was with the jaguar lot, but wandered the site.

This and Bicester events are right up there. My personal favourite, Kop Hill is next on the calendar. Fingers crossed for half decent weather.


CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

211 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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yonex said:
Kop Hill is next on the calendar. Fingers crossed for half decent weather.
My local, haven't been for a while.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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CaptainSlow said:
My local, haven't been for a while.
This year is the 10th anniversary, the hedges have been chopped back and more seating promised. They’ve got a load of us auctioning off rides up again, can’t wait!

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

211 months

Monday 29th July 2019
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yonex said:
CaptainSlow said:
My local, haven't been for a while.
This year is the 10th anniversary, the hedges have been chopped back and more seating promised. They’ve got a load of us auctioning off rides up again, can’t wait!
Excellent will keep an eye out for you..are we connected on Strava?