Discussion
Went every year at Donny from about 93 until 1999, used to go for three days, met some great riders.
Went once to Silverstone, went home on the Saturday night. Provides great racing, but just not the best to be at live for bikes, I did not mind the old Dairlylea triangle track actually went a few times to BSB there, but they didn't want it back and BSB said we dont want to come back thanks, not if you are only letting us use the crap track. Cant say I blame them
The Super-bikes were great there on the older club track that had a hairpin at Abbey, even on the short track in the early 00's, but it was a kart track for those things, the worst chicane ever invented, only good bit was watching them drift and powerslide out of Woodcote, great stuff, but I enjoyed those meetings there, when the place was a bit more warm and friendly!!
Went once to Silverstone, went home on the Saturday night. Provides great racing, but just not the best to be at live for bikes, I did not mind the old Dairlylea triangle track actually went a few times to BSB there, but they didn't want it back and BSB said we dont want to come back thanks, not if you are only letting us use the crap track. Cant say I blame them
The Super-bikes were great there on the older club track that had a hairpin at Abbey, even on the short track in the early 00's, but it was a kart track for those things, the worst chicane ever invented, only good bit was watching them drift and powerslide out of Woodcote, great stuff, but I enjoyed those meetings there, when the place was a bit more warm and friendly!!
Sixpackpert said:
Weather s looking great. Arrived at hotel, having a beer before a massive steak dinner before a bit of kippy ready for tomorrow and the weekend!
Really looking forward to it, sounds like I m the only one going and being positive about it!
Have even broken out my old Cal cap!
I’ve packed my Cal t shirtReally looking forward to it, sounds like I m the only one going and being positive about it!
Have even broken out my old Cal cap!
Campsite is a bit quieter but still love it
I am going along tomorrow for a few hours, providing the little 250 completes the ride there.
Haven't been for years, used to love Donington and didn't think much of my last visit to Silverstone but taking tomorrow with a different approach, cheap few hours out just to appreciate seeing the bikes on track - hoping to get somewhere just before the end of hanger straight for the GP practice to try and witness the sheer speed.
Then watch the rest of the weekend on TV where I can see more and know positions etc easily when its more important to me.
Haven't been for years, used to love Donington and didn't think much of my last visit to Silverstone but taking tomorrow with a different approach, cheap few hours out just to appreciate seeing the bikes on track - hoping to get somewhere just before the end of hanger straight for the GP practice to try and witness the sheer speed.
Then watch the rest of the weekend on TV where I can see more and know positions etc easily when its more important to me.
Have to agree, is that an LM thing looking at an alternative and need time for another circuit to upgrade their facilities, or is that a warning to Silverstone that they need to increase (vastly increase) footfall in 2 years or the game is up.
I'd like to think it's move to a new circuit with updated facilities personally, the racing may be good at SS but from a spectators perspective it's terrible, too far away from the track and at nearly 4 miles long you literally see them 20 times and have no idea what is going on for most of the lap. To that point I'm not sure why they couldn't use one of the other lay outs at SS which would reduce the overall circuit length and increase laps, it would certainly be more appealing.
I'd like to think it's move to a new circuit with updated facilities personally, the racing may be good at SS but from a spectators perspective it's terrible, too far away from the track and at nearly 4 miles long you literally see them 20 times and have no idea what is going on for most of the lap. To that point I'm not sure why they couldn't use one of the other lay outs at SS which would reduce the overall circuit length and increase laps, it would certainly be more appealing.
Le Mans is fairly big track, if you're sat on the main straight they flash by you so quickly you struggle to make out who's who. But there's a big screen infront of you and great atmosphere. From the maps on the MotoGP website there doesn't look like many screens at Silverstone, which is offputting.
If you are the venue and your crowd has been consistently falling what would you do?
They have tried different dates, other features, and nothing has worked yet.
So, as a venue you pay probably a multi million pound host fee, you get that back from tickets, food and other sources of revenue, bit of camping, parking fees maybe.
But you also spend less, Silverstone have become very astute at this, less stands open, fewer screens, parts of the track limited access, this is to save money on security, maybe they have to pay fees to have covered stands open? Keep people in one area, less cleaners, less loos to open, we have all seen it. That is all cost.
It's about putting an event on at the minimum cost to them,and they have become very good at it. They go all out with F1 as it makes them tens of millions, everything else is quite tightly budgeted I would say. Possibly also to allow the huge outlay running an F1 event adds.
They have tried different dates, other features, and nothing has worked yet.
So, as a venue you pay probably a multi million pound host fee, you get that back from tickets, food and other sources of revenue, bit of camping, parking fees maybe.
But you also spend less, Silverstone have become very astute at this, less stands open, fewer screens, parts of the track limited access, this is to save money on security, maybe they have to pay fees to have covered stands open? Keep people in one area, less cleaners, less loos to open, we have all seen it. That is all cost.
It's about putting an event on at the minimum cost to them,and they have become very good at it. They go all out with F1 as it makes them tens of millions, everything else is quite tightly budgeted I would say. Possibly also to allow the huge outlay running an F1 event adds.
Yeah but if you put on less grandstands and less screens giving people less choice and offering a lesser experience then people weigh it against alternatives and make their choice. Silverstone has a hard enough time when it's nearest competitors are Assen and Le Mans and cheap flights to Spanish rounds are plentiful.
So enough rumbling about the track, what about the event? Aprilia playground surely? Podium lockout?
So enough rumbling about the track, what about the event? Aprilia playground surely? Podium lockout?
bergclimber34 said:
If you are the venue and your crowd has been consistently falling what would you do?
They have tried different dates, other features, and nothing has worked yet.
So, as a venue you pay probably a multi million pound host fee, you get that back from tickets, food and other sources of revenue, bit of camping, parking fees maybe.
But you also spend less, Silverstone have become very astute at this, less stands open, fewer screens, parts of the track limited access, this is to save money on security, maybe they have to pay fees to have covered stands open? Keep people in one area, less cleaners, less loos to open, we have all seen it. That is all cost.
It's about putting an event on at the minimum cost to them,and they have become very good at it. They go all out with F1 as it makes them tens of millions, everything else is quite tightly budgeted I would say. Possibly also to allow the huge outlay running an F1 event adds.
I'd imagine F1 is the annual pay day for SS, if it didn't have that it wouldn't survive and probably be converted to houses. Everything else probably barely breaks even I guess.They have tried different dates, other features, and nothing has worked yet.
So, as a venue you pay probably a multi million pound host fee, you get that back from tickets, food and other sources of revenue, bit of camping, parking fees maybe.
But you also spend less, Silverstone have become very astute at this, less stands open, fewer screens, parts of the track limited access, this is to save money on security, maybe they have to pay fees to have covered stands open? Keep people in one area, less cleaners, less loos to open, we have all seen it. That is all cost.
It's about putting an event on at the minimum cost to them,and they have become very good at it. They go all out with F1 as it makes them tens of millions, everything else is quite tightly budgeted I would say. Possibly also to allow the huge outlay running an F1 event adds.
hiccy18 said:
So enough rumbling about the track, what about the event? Aprilia playground surely? Podium lockout?
Well it was last year and I'd imagine the same, Ai has to be favourite given his run of form, Bez is back and he won last year, but is he fit?Marc's had 3 weeks rest and I've heard he's been training hard, if he can upset the apple cart here it'll be a warning for Aprilia, if not next round is Aragon which has always been a happy hunting ground for him.
Freakuk said:
Have to agree, is that an LM thing looking at an alternative and need time for another circuit to upgrade their facilities, or is that a warning to Silverstone that they need to increase (vastly increase) footfall in 2 years or the game is up.
I'd like to think it's move to a new circuit with updated facilities personally, the racing may be good at SS but from a spectators perspective it's terrible, too far away from the track and at nearly 4 miles long you literally see them 20 times and have no idea what is going on for most of the lap. To that point I'm not sure why they couldn't use one of the other lay outs at SS which would reduce the overall circuit length and increase laps, it would certainly be more appealing.
I don’t have an issueI'd like to think it's move to a new circuit with updated facilities personally, the racing may be good at SS but from a spectators perspective it's terrible, too far away from the track and at nearly 4 miles long you literally see them 20 times and have no idea what is going on for most of the lap. To that point I'm not sure why they couldn't use one of the other lay outs at SS which would reduce the overall circuit length and increase laps, it would certainly be more appealing.
Besides you have people on here claiming to be gp fans moaning about how poor silverstone is - and I agree it’s not the best and they don’t help by not opening the stands but if you make the effort, stop complaining and actually go numbers would increase
And we wouldn’t lose it
stevemcs said:
I don t have an issue
Besides you have people on here claiming to be gp fans moaning about how poor silverstone is - and I agree it s not the best and they don t help by not opening the stands but if you make the effort, stop complaining and actually go numbers would increase
And we wouldn t lose it
GP fans on here might choose to make the effort to go elsewhere: it's their time and money, no shame in that.Besides you have people on here claiming to be gp fans moaning about how poor silverstone is - and I agree it s not the best and they don t help by not opening the stands but if you make the effort, stop complaining and actually go numbers would increase
And we wouldn t lose it
Alex is looking great and has unfinished business from last year.
Sixpackpert said:
Scott Ogden pole in Moto3
That's what happens when he doesn't piss around during qualifying trying to get on the tail of someone, having to get out of the way of others on laps and wastes so much time he only gets one lap in if he even manages to get over the line to start a lap before the flag comes out.Sorry, Moto3 qualifying winds me up. Did you see everyone almost coming to a complete stop in the pitlane because Uriate "stalled" and they all wanted to follow him?
Freakuk said:
I'd imagine F1 is the annual pay day for SS, if it didn't have that it wouldn't survive and probably be converted to houses. Everything else probably barely breaks even I guess.
You're a million miles out on that, the circuit has one of, if not the highest utilisation rate by days used than any other UK circuit, they have a backlog of manufacturers, race teams and organisers fighting for dates, hence why they don't care about bike trackdays when 4 wheeled activities are so profitable, add to that they are a huge commercial landlord, PEC, Escapade, the new hotel etc, they aren't teetering on collapse based on F1 revenue risk.FourWheelDrift said:
That's what happens when he doesn't piss around during qualifying trying to get on the tail of someone, having to get out of the way of others on laps and wastes so much time he only gets one lap in if he even manages to get over the line to start a lap before the flag comes out.
Sorry, Moto3 qualifying winds me up. Did you see everyone almost coming to a complete stop in the pitlane because Uriate "stalled" and they all wanted to follow him?
Wondered what had happened there. We are in the MM stand at Village so wondered why they all came round slowly and staring at each other!Sorry, Moto3 qualifying winds me up. Did you see everyone almost coming to a complete stop in the pitlane because Uriate "stalled" and they all wanted to follow him?
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