WEC at Silverstone
Discussion
Any tips for attending WEC at Silverstone? I've been to races around the US and a couple in Japan, so I'm not too concerned about it. But since there's obviously a lot of you gents on here with experience I figured I'd ask so I wouldn't go in blind. Clare and I will be in a small group.
Silverstone is pretty big, think you can sit in most stands if space (and they open them). It's a long trek to and from car parks when did public parking for Classic - so pack carefully or get some hospitality, much better when you can get infield/car club parking etc (don't think there's any for WEC??).
Do they run the double decker buses for WEC? It's a major trek up to the International F1 pits/paddock. Have normally watched historic/GT racing from stand near Aintree corner (inside circuit) as can see quite a bit of track from there or from outside Club looking down start/finish straight or opposite international pits. Brooklands/Luffield quite good for walking around to see action at some point.
If driving from SE the M40 route and off near Bicester is better.
Do they run the double decker buses for WEC? It's a major trek up to the International F1 pits/paddock. Have normally watched historic/GT racing from stand near Aintree corner (inside circuit) as can see quite a bit of track from there or from outside Club looking down start/finish straight or opposite international pits. Brooklands/Luffield quite good for walking around to see action at some point.
If driving from SE the M40 route and off near Bicester is better.
Your ticket gets you access all around the circuit. Most stands, not all, are open and are free admission.
The double deckers usually run allowing you to get around the circuit during the day without having to walk miles.
Take an tunable FM radio or if your phone/ipod has an inbuilt radio then take your headphones and tune to Radio Silverstone. You get full race commentary which allows you to keep up with what is going on in the race.
There are usually big screens all around the circuit.
I cant remember if there is pit access. Probably not on race day.
Its not Le Mans 24hr but is a great day out. I'm planning on going. If its wet then you will get wet and if its hot expect to get sunburnt.
I went a couple of years ago and parking was straight forward even with 50k spectators present.
The double deckers usually run allowing you to get around the circuit during the day without having to walk miles.
Take an tunable FM radio or if your phone/ipod has an inbuilt radio then take your headphones and tune to Radio Silverstone. You get full race commentary which allows you to keep up with what is going on in the race.
There are usually big screens all around the circuit.
I cant remember if there is pit access. Probably not on race day.
Its not Le Mans 24hr but is a great day out. I'm planning on going. If its wet then you will get wet and if its hot expect to get sunburnt.
I went a couple of years ago and parking was straight forward even with 50k spectators present.
Not attended WEC but for the Grand Prix we camp at Whittlebury Park and walk into the circuit. Tend to walk around a full lap during the day watching from various grandstands as we go. Luffield and Becketts are my favourites but plenty of good viewing spots. As has been said there is not much shelter so take an umbrella or suncream as appropriate, or both!
I’ve been the last three years and it’s a great value day. I’d definitely recommend using the buses to get you around from the car parks to the grandstands and the paddock.
If you get there super-early there’s usually some sort of pit lane walkabout and opportunities to meet the drivers, though one last year that the advertised times aren’t always correct!
The grandstands on straight (the new one) are the place to be for the start - there are always seats, but the good ones opposite the pits fill up quickly at the start so it’s worth getting there 30mins beforehand. After the first few laps, I usually wander around to watch the cars through the fast corners and marvel. I have very fond memories of watching the 40-minute battle for the lead between Audi and Porsche from halfway along the Hanger Straight and seeing the Porsche annihilate the Audi in a drag race time after time.
If your hearing is sensitive, take earplugs - the LMP2 gear shifts can make a hell of a ‘CRACK’ if you’re close by.
As others have noted, Silverstone has its own climate. It’s always windy - it’s an old airfield - so if it’s sunny, you’ll get burned without noticing unless you have a hat or sunblock. If it rains, you can get cold very quickly (that wind again) so plan accordingly.
Food is your usual circuit fare of burgers and the like, and there’s plenty of vendors selling food and drink in the fan area or behind the main grandstands.
If you’re into photography, there’s a few good public places that give good shots. Opposite the hairpin onto the Wellington straight is a nice spot if you’ve got a long lens. Similarly, there’s a hole or two in the catch fencing near the exit of the Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel turns, where you can get shots of the under cornering load. The public viewing area by the entrance to the Wing is a good spot for panning shots from above of the cars coming onto the pit straight.
Hope you enjoy the event regardless. Even though I don’t actually own an Aston yet, every time I go to a WEC event and see and hear the Vantage Cars, I get a craving for one!
If you get there super-early there’s usually some sort of pit lane walkabout and opportunities to meet the drivers, though one last year that the advertised times aren’t always correct!
The grandstands on straight (the new one) are the place to be for the start - there are always seats, but the good ones opposite the pits fill up quickly at the start so it’s worth getting there 30mins beforehand. After the first few laps, I usually wander around to watch the cars through the fast corners and marvel. I have very fond memories of watching the 40-minute battle for the lead between Audi and Porsche from halfway along the Hanger Straight and seeing the Porsche annihilate the Audi in a drag race time after time.
If your hearing is sensitive, take earplugs - the LMP2 gear shifts can make a hell of a ‘CRACK’ if you’re close by.
As others have noted, Silverstone has its own climate. It’s always windy - it’s an old airfield - so if it’s sunny, you’ll get burned without noticing unless you have a hat or sunblock. If it rains, you can get cold very quickly (that wind again) so plan accordingly.
Food is your usual circuit fare of burgers and the like, and there’s plenty of vendors selling food and drink in the fan area or behind the main grandstands.
If you’re into photography, there’s a few good public places that give good shots. Opposite the hairpin onto the Wellington straight is a nice spot if you’ve got a long lens. Similarly, there’s a hole or two in the catch fencing near the exit of the Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel turns, where you can get shots of the under cornering load. The public viewing area by the entrance to the Wing is a good spot for panning shots from above of the cars coming onto the pit straight.
Hope you enjoy the event regardless. Even though I don’t actually own an Aston yet, every time I go to a WEC event and see and hear the Vantage Cars, I get a craving for one!
Just received the VIP Package invitation from Aston Martin Racing. 810 pounds per head is a bit too dear for me, especially given I've just spent all my money on lug nuts and other whatnottery, plus the rest of the trip expenses for us to go to the UK to begin with.
There's an open bar and it's a 6-hour race, so it may prove good value for money based on that alone
Plus you get to tour the garage, meet the drivers, etc... Oh well, still too rich for my blood, unfortunately.
There's an open bar and it's a 6-hour race, so it may prove good value for money based on that alone
Plus you get to tour the garage, meet the drivers, etc... Oh well, still too rich for my blood, unfortunately.Hoping to make it on Sunday for the 6 hour race
Looks like 2019 is a 4 hour event?????
https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/2019-2020-wec-provi...
any practice times up yet?
Looks like 2019 is a 4 hour event?????
https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/2019-2020-wec-provi...
any practice times up yet?
2nd and 3rd in qualifying just behind a Ford, although the 4th Ford has a lap record almost half a second quicker than pole
http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/
Button third in LMP1 on circuit where he only managed 4th 3 times in F1, Alonso 2nd in LMP1
http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/
Button third in LMP1 on circuit where he only managed 4th 3 times in F1, Alonso 2nd in LMP1
Edited by RL17 on Saturday 18th August 15:18
Good to see the 95 and 97 being competitive and were 2nd and 3rd after 3 hours or so when Ford messed up pit stops. 95 running ahead of 97 most of the time til then but got gearbox stuck in 4th and dropped to back of Pro field after two lengthy stops, finished 9th as only one DNF a BMW. Top five cars pretty close.
90 (TF Sport with Johnny Adam) would have won Am but for a lengthy penalty for a pitstop too early in SC period, had overhauled a Porsche that was also penalised.
90 (TF Sport with Johnny Adam) would have won Am but for a lengthy penalty for a pitstop too early in SC period, had overhauled a Porsche that was also penalised.
Didn't you just know Bergmeister on that last lap was going to somehow find a way past Lamy. 
Having said that, after the rear end shunt Dalla Lana got on the 1st lap resulting in a pit stop to repair the damage they were plumb last. So credit to them for fighting their way back up to finish 4th in class, so so close to being on the podium.
Congratulations to TF Sport, Jonny Adam was absolutely superb.
Having said that, after the rear end shunt Dalla Lana got on the 1st lap resulting in a pit stop to repair the damage they were plumb last. So credit to them for fighting their way back up to finish 4th in class, so so close to being on the podium.
Congratulations to TF Sport, Jonny Adam was absolutely superb.
Y100 said:
Didn't you just know Bergmeister on that last lap was going to somehow find a way past Lamy.
Having said that, after the rear end shunt Dalla Lana got on the 1st lap resulting in a pit stop to repair the damage they were plumb last. So credit to them for fighting their way back up to finish 4th in class, so so close to being on the podium.
Congratulations to TF Sport, Jonny Adam was absolutely superb.
+1 re Jonny Adam, bit surprised to see him away from works teams but they race old car with great success in British GT.Having said that, after the rear end shunt Dalla Lana got on the 1st lap resulting in a pit stop to repair the damage they were plumb last. So credit to them for fighting their way back up to finish 4th in class, so so close to being on the podium.
Congratulations to TF Sport, Jonny Adam was absolutely superb.
3 works teams togther in pits and Aston did a great signing folder (makes a change from smaller individual cards or posters that get screwed up in an hour or so).
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