LMS at Donnington!
Discussion
Praise the ACO for their wonderful decision to hold the British round of the newley named "Le Mans Series" at Donnington Park. IMHO a FAR superior curcuit for spectators and drivers alike. God Im soooo happy I could just BURST. 
It's Donington...only one N...
Thank you!
Anyway, back on topic, I've always found the full Donington circuit tends to break the field up a bit; the drag up from the Melbourne hairpin sees to that. The shorter circuit coming straight into Goddards works better IMO. But then I s'pose it's not a long enough track.
Keep it in Northamptonshire where seriously fast cars can be fully catered for.
Trackside said:
Keep it in Northamptonshire where seriously fast cars can be fully catered for.
Only the cars are catered for NOT the spectators! About time the pre madonnas got their act together! I hope its a long and happy association that will continue for many years to come! At least at DoNington they know what the spectator requires!
Donington's pit redevelopment is underway now.
I don't know what happened to the plans for "Bernie-world" at Silverstone.
I don't know what happened to the plans for "Bernie-world" at Silverstone.
c9/89 said:
Keep it in Northamptonshire where seriously fast cars can be fully catered for.
My point wasn't about facilities; it was about the circuit's ability to house 50 top-line sports and GT cars. My first thought when reading the calendar for next season was that Donington was too short and too narrow to do LMS cars justice. Compared to the fast and open expanses that an airfield circuit can offer, it's just a bit 'Mickey Mouse'. Great for bikes and lower formulae (especially on the shorter National circuit), just not the really quick machinery.
However, as far as spectator facilities go there's not much to choose between them. Silverstone's certainly potentially got better grandstands, loos etc so long as they open them all up, which isn't always the case for a club meeting. For a meeting like LMS I would expect the majority to be available in which case, Silverstone wins hands down. The toilets are new and modern and a huge improvement over Donington. And food-wise, well, let's face it, a crappy burger is a crappy burger, whichever circuit you're at!
Edited to add that I will be at the UK LMS round however, wherever it is!
>> Edited by Trackside on Wednesday 16th November 12:06
Trackside said:
Keep it in Northamptonshire where seriously fast cars can be fully catered for.
My point wasn't about facilities; it was about the circuit's ability to house 50 top-line sports and GT cars. My first thought when reading the calendar for next season was that Donington was too short and too narrow to do LMS cars justice. Compared to the fast and open expanses that an airfield circuit can offer, it's just a bit 'Mickey Mouse'. Great for bikes and lower formulae (especially on the shorter National circuit), just not the really quick machinery.
However, as far as spectator facilities go there's not much to choose between them. Silverstone's certainly potentially got better grandstands, loos etc so long as they open them all up, which isn't always the case for a club meeting. For a meeting like LMS I would expect the majority to be available in which case, Silverstone wins hands down. The toilets are new and modern and a huge improvement over Donington. And food-wise, well, let's face it, a crappy burger is a crappy burger, whichever circuit you're at!
Edited to add that I will be at the UK LMS round however, wherever it is!
>> Edited by Trackside on Wednesday 16th November 12:06
I think Donington is perfectly fine for quick machinery. Top LMP1 cars will be doing well over 170mph at the bottom of Craner Curves, and again along the straight up to Foggies chicane. I can't wait to see this, the first time I ever went to Doninigton was FIA GT in 1997, which was just a little bit special. Any word on if it's going to be a night race again?
Having seen some amazing Group C and later LMP racing at Donington, I can say with some certanty that the racing will be superb! Coupled with the fact that if you sit in the In field area over looking the old hairpin you can see from the top of the Crainer Curves right up to Macleans with a virtually unresricted view. A hell of a lot more of the curcuit than is visible in one go at Sillystone. The only place that is comparable is if you sit down at Stowe the view from Chapel up to Club. IMHO Not the same really given the excitement of the "Curves". It may be more of a trek north than some of the southerners are prepared to make (I know cos I am one, although I moved to Liverpool about 9 years ago!) I used to enjoy the journey and attended with some regularity the meetings at Donington, an association I am still very fond of, only bettered by Spa. I just wonder what the drivers opinion is of the circuit and which one they prefer?
Trackside said:
[quote=Trackside]Keep it in Northamptonshire where seriously fast cars can be fully catered for.
However, as far as spectator facilities go there's not much to choose between them. Silverstone's certainly potentially got better grandstands, loos etc so long as they open them all up, which isn't always the case for a club meeting. For a meeting like LMS I would expect the majority to be available in which case, Silverstone wins hands down.
I've been to the LMES at Silverstone the last two years and they certainly haven't made all the grandstands available, although some were forcibly opened during the deluge this year. I certainly prefer Donington (three n's) for spectating as, like Brands, you can see more than the few feet of track you're standing next to. I'll be there.
Anyone know if the GT's are on the same bill again?
NRE
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