F1 test day - questions

[GreaseNipple]

I heard the ITV blokes mention the formula one test day at silverstone and checked on silverstones website and its meant be from tuesday to thursday this week. Is it possible to go and watch such events there website didnt say. I just wanna hear a formula one car not interested in paying hundreds for a ticket thanks. Anyone ever been, would you have to pay or can you just walk up to a fence and have a look?

[130tdi]

It's free to go in !

Normally you can stand from about the bridge throught to the first corner. Listening to them come down the start / finish straight at full chat is certainly an experience.

Normal times are 10 - 1, 2 - about 5ish. Lunch being 1 - 2, take your sarnies, not always too many places for a burger etc.

As this is THE test for the British GP, all teams are likely to be present, some with 3 cars.

My advice, get their early, long lens on the camera and loads of film.

HTH

Simon.

[GreaseNipple]

Thats what i wanted to hear! I shall get myself down there.

[murcielago]

Do all the cars run at the same time?

[130tdi]

Meant to add - Weds is normally the best day as some teams might only test for 2 days.

[F355GTS]

Am I right in saying that you can't park on Silverstone property as it's not officially a public day and therefore insurance issues etc etc?

[percy]

You normally park in the Silverstone car parks near the main gate (can't get into the inner parking or paddock unless invited). AFAIK Jordan, BAR, Williams and McLaren will definitely be there. As has been said, Weds is the best day to go and there are normally a few cars on track at the same time. Last year nearly all the teams were there and there was lots to see - probably as exciting as the races themselves nowadays!!
It is free, and there are a few places to view - last year we got into the main grandstand, Woodcote and Copse. I have heard it may be more restricted this time, but still worth a visit.

Just been told that Ferrari will be there too.

>> Edited by percy on Tuesday 1st June 09:59

[condor]

I'm highly likely to be there all day Wednesday

...am waiting on Tuesday test reports first though

[paolow]

i hope to be there tomorrow (weds)for the afternoon. never seen an F1 car in motion before, from what ive heard, should be quite and experience

[hedgetrimmer]

I went about 6 years ago, in the wet. More exciting than any race I can recall. The Jordan was getting its neck wrung to beyond the limit of grip in most corners, the drivers alleged that it was deliberate.Yeeha!!!!!

[FourWheelDrift]

Last time I was there I was infield around the back of the pits, viewing from the inside of Copse and Becketts, then through the tunnel at Copse to catch them coming down the main straight, then down the Woodcote and then back up to go back through the tunnel to the infield.

www.mercia.biz/video/copse.wmv

[oggs]

y pics from a couple of test days are Here Here Here (plus a couple from a LB run) and... here



enjoy

[RichB]

Went last year, no problem parking and walked right around the entire circuit - not too difficult. Rich...

[condor]

Looks like it will be a good show to-morrow
So I'm definaetly there all day

Here's the results of to-days test session

Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps
1. Alonso Renault (M) 1:22.075 60
2. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:22.120 46
3. Trulli Renault (M) 1:23.392 28
4. Pizzonia Williams-BMW (M) 1:23.683 51
5. Gene Williams-BMW (M) 1:25.748 82
6. Klien Jaguar-Cosworth (M) 1:26.214 62
7. da Matta Toyota (M) 1:26.220 51
8. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:26.407 30
9. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:30.208 15

[GreaseNipple]

I'll be there tomorrow cant wait, makes you wonder why people pay to watch the race!

[condor]

I pay to watch the race...and consider it part-payment for being able to watch the testing for free.

[paolow]

well - i made it there today - well worth it. caught demonstrations of traction control in the luffield comlpex as well as the cars flat out in the straights.
in the end we decided that:
the toyota was loudest, the fezzas and renaults the smoothest, but the mclarens had by far the coolest raw engine note and the jordan/jag had the best tc/misfiring engine noise

[GreaseNipple]

I thought the toyota was loudest too... do you think it has any correlation between it reputedly being one of the most powerful engine on the grid

[DavidCane]

I went this afternoon.

Pics for those interested www.dcane.dsl.pipex.com/testing/

I really need to find out how to get into the paddock for a test session next time...

DC

[paolow]

GreaseNipple said:

I thought the toyota was loudest too... do you think it has any correlation between it reputedly being one of the most powerful engine on the grid

thats interesting - i hadnt heard that the toyo was that powerful. interesting that as well as being loud it was a strong note as well. perhaps indicative of what you suggest? what i did notice was that those engines that have poorer reliability sounded very rough indeed on traction control wheras the fezzas and the renaults were much, much smoother. maybe its the tc thats the killer for the ford and the merc engines?