Thursday 30th June 2011

PistonHeads At Britcar 24

Join PH and 1st-Tickets at Britcar for a weekend under canvas....in September

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Le Mans is over, it's all rather sad to be back in a warm house with running hot water and TV and...okay, when you look at it like that it's not sad at all. But what about mates, beers, laughs, cars and simple good fun? We miss it, we miss it a lot.

Never fear, however, beacause here at PistonHeads we don't like to see sad readers and, as a result, we contacted sleeping-under-canvas supremo Brian at 1st-Tickets to see how we could create a Le Mans-style event later in the year. Being a man who likes to camp, he set about the task with gusto and secured himself the contract to supply PH camping at the Britcar 24 race at Silverstone in September. Who needs the blue skies of La Sarthe when you can bask in the guaranteed* September sunshine, eh?

What this means for you, dear PHer, is the chance to dust off the camping gear once more and join the PH team at our trackside campsite between 30th September and 2nd October for a UK based 24-hour experience.

A few years ago we used to hold an event called PistonFest, which offered trackside camping with a band and a BBQ. This isn't a true return to PF as we don't have a band, but the spirit of the original event will be there as we offer an affordable way to camp with PHers and share a few beers alongside some great racing.

The good bits are as follows:

• The campsite is located within the Silverstone circuit a mere stone's throw from the grandstands and circuit (please don't throw stones onto the circuit).
• 150 pitches are available to PHers
• We'll supply on-site toilets and showers - a new addition to Britcar camping
• Package price includes admission ticket and programme voucher
• A camping pass allowing easy access to and from the site
• Gated camping area for increased security

In addition we are talking with local suppliers to try and secure additional catering alongside the camping area.

The racing calendar is packed, with a weekend of on-track activities taking place in addition to the 24-hour race itself. As soon as the grids are confirmed we'll bring you more information but the provisional timetable looks very promising indeed, and you won't be short of things to watch if you need to walk off the excessive barbecued meat consumption.

Prices are also reasonable, thanks to Brian's deft use of the PH abacus. Given that the price includes admission tickets, programme and private facilities in addition to your square of grass, it's hard to think of a reason not to attend. The race ticket alone gives you access to the paddock and pre-24 grid walk, too.

Package Type	Description	Cost
Duo	Two nights camping at Silverstone circuit (40m2 pitch)Circuit Access for one car Two general admission tickets Program voucher	£95
Quad	Two nights camping at Silverstone circuit (40m2 pitch)Circuit Access for one car Four general admission tickets Program voucher	£125
Quad Maxi	Two nights camping at Silverstone circuit (60m2 pitch)Circuit Access for one car Four general admission tickets Program voucher	£150
Standard Camping only	Standard 40m2 pitch for one vehicle	£60
Maxi Camping only	Large 60m2 pitch for one vehicle	£85
Programme only	Official Event Programme	£10

In addition we can offer an entertaining and hospitality area (ooh, fancy), overlooking the start/finish straight and pit lane, that offers the following benefits for those who want to push the boat out:

Exclusive access to the Britcar 500 Club
Buffet lunch
Evening finger buffet
Soft drinks, tea and coffee served throughout the day
Weekend admission tickets with exclusive Saturday 500 club access
Reserved car parking area
Event goody bag including programme and radio
Driver interviews with Q&A
Bookable tours of race control
Grandstand seating
Live timing screens and circuit cameras
Pit access and pre-race grid walk
Dress code applies; you'll need to be smart!

Price:
£80.00 per person as a supplement to the camping packages
£100.00 per person without camping package

Oh, and there is also...

the opportunity for controlled parade laps before start of race and...
Two laps of circuit with pace, and chase cars an hour before start of race.

You can speak to 1st-Tickets directly with any questions on 01767 680119 or to book online click here

We can't wait to see you there (and if you're coming along please sign up to the calendar here. We'll be the ones lurking under a gazebo asking Riggers to fetch us another beer.

*we lied about the guarantee but why not be optimistic?

[Garlick]

Team PH will be there, and Riggers needs no excuse to be camp.....er I mean go camping.

[TonyHetherington]

Looks very tempting indeed! E-mail to fellow LM24 goers has been sent

[Garlick]

Cheap too as the £125 package is for four, so £31 each

All prices are per pitch (with the number of tickets detailed in the text) and not per person.

[MagicalTrevor]

That seems good to me, I think I'll be going

[ukaskew]

Excellent stuff, the worst thing about the Britcar 24hr the past few years has been no general track access for cars, or even just an internal car park somewhere with the perimeter (it's so quiet you wonder why it ever became an issue), I remember in 2009 leaving the circuit and grabbing a few hours sleep in my car in the main car park, not an enjoyable experience.

This solves pretty much all the problems at a reasonable price. It would, however, be good to know how you/they intend to manage access to the hospitality areas/paddock, as at the FIA GT meet is was a painful 20min bus ride just to visit the open paddock...there was no other way of reaching it. Will they run a bus all night?

[snotrag]

Reply to get this into my watch list... Will think about this later tonight!

[TonyHetherington]

I assume that you park your cars in your camping pitch also (if that makes sense?)

[chum racing]

TonyHetherington said:

I assume that you park your cars in your camping pitch also (if that makes sense?)

Yes Tony. Similar to Le Mans your car is parking on your camping pitch next to your tent.

Brian
www.1st-tickets.co.uk

[TonyHetherington]

Gotcha. Thanks!

[chum racing]

ukaskew said:

...It would, however, be good to know how you/they intend to manage access to the hospitality areas/paddock, as at the FIA GT meet is was a painful 20min bus ride just to visit the open paddock...there was no other way of reaching it. Will they run a bus all night?

As the Britcar 24 Hours is using (what is now) the "National" Pits and paddock. It is only a short walk from the campsite.

The campsite is located just behind the old granstands not far from where the Bridge used to be over to the paddocks. The route to the paddock is via the tunnel near Copse Corner, which brings you out at the top end of the paddock near the scrutineering area.

There are also plans for a funfair and other attractions at the event.

Brian
www.1st-tickets.co.uk

[722Adam]

McSam and myself already have access all areas tickets booked through our department at Loughborough University, hope to see you guys there!

[farmeryellow]

Hello all,

I will be there again been to all previous Britcar 24h and Britcar 500,

Running 4 cars this year
Mosler
GT3 Marcos
GTC Marcos
Ginetta G50

Big Paul
Topcats Racing

[Gizmo!]

Hopefully it won't be as cold as the last time I camped at Silverstone.

What layout of track is the Britcar using this year? National, or the full GP? I believe you can't use the 'old GP' any more...?

[touching cloth]

Is camping Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun, also how child friendly do we think, would be tempted to bring my 9 year old (he's itching to go to Le Mans but not quite sure if he's ready, this could be a tester).

[chum racing]

touching cloth said:

Is camping Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun, also how child friendly do we think, would be tempted to bring my 9 year old (he's itching to go to Le Mans but not quite sure if he's ready, this could be a tester).

The campsite opens on Friday, so you can camp both Friday and Saturday nights. There is a good variety of support races on on both days and a two hour night time qualifying session on the Friday.

The organisiers are looking to attract families to the event and are planning additional attractions for the youngsters. Also it's a good taster to see if your son is ready for Le Mans.

Brian
www.1st-tickets.co.uk

[XG332]

As it stands ATM I should be working this. But I will have to pop over for a beer

[Tyre Smoke]

Can I bring my caravan? It fits on a standard LM pitch.

Don't do tents.

[Chunkychucky]

Garlick, these parade laps of which you speak, any more info? Would we be allowed on track in our cars...?

[chum racing]

Tyre Smoke said:

Can I bring my caravan? It fits on a standard LM pitch.

Don't do tents.

Yes caravans are welcome. The standard sized pitch is 40m2 (approx 8m x 5m), which should be sufficient for a standard sized car and caravan. If the caravan is a little large, you may prefer to go the the 60m2 (approx 8m x 7.5m) pitch.

Brian
www.1st-tickets.co.uk

[chum racing]

Chunkychucky said:

Garlick, these parade laps of which you speak, any more info? Would we be allowed on track in our cars...?

Yes there are a limited number of parade laps available to PH members. They will be two controlled laps of the Silverstone circuit in your own car!

For more information and to book a parade lap, please contact us on 01767 680119.

Brian
www.1st-tickets.co.uk