F1 Testing - Silverstone

[bigmanszetec]

Just found out that there will be a 3 day F1 test, 19-21 June, at Silverstone.

Good chance to get up close to the action for only £10.

Anyone been to an F1 test before, worth going??

[Marc W]

I've been to loads before. This is the first one they've started charging for it has always been free up till now. In previous years there has usually been at least 3 tests open to the public per year but due to rule changes this year there is only the June test. It's definately worth going as it's an excellent way of seeing F1 cars for free, sorry, I mean £10. If you are a member of Silverstone racing club you canget access to the paddock and also the pits during the lunchbreak. I'm not but fortunately I know people who are!

To give you an idea here's my photos from 2 of last seasons tests;

April

www.flickr.com/photos/19193662@N00/sets/72057594117787995/


September


www.flickr.com/photos/19193662@N00/sets/72157594293984506/

Happy to answer any other questions you have.

[bigmanszetec]

Thanks for the info. Obviously I knew there were tests but for some reason never thought about going until I recently saw it on the Silverstone event calander.
Used to be free did it, well £10 still isnt bad, compared to what they charge for a grand prix!

Is there grandtstands open, or is general admission type thing, and I assume there are plenty of good viewing spots.

Nice photos by the way.

[Marc W]

they usually open the pit straight grandstands for the larger tests, whihc this is especially as it looks like being the only one! They haven't charged for this in the past so I would hope it won't be any extra this time, although I don't bother with them myself as they're useless for photos.

[stew-typeR]

when did they start charging?

[Marc W]

This will be the first test they've charged for. They can probably get away with it with the busy tests like this one, but I think it would be a bit of a cheek for the quieter ones. (Not that there are anymore public sessions this year ) Some Tests I've been to before have only had a couple of cars and you can go an hour or more without anyone on track. The June one will be very busy though, I'd imagine most of the teams will turn up.

[Piglet]

I understand that the charging has come about after some problems with spectators at last years test sessions. Speccy's were going under/over and through barriers to get into areas that they shouldn't have been in which has meant that the circuit has felt the need to hire more security to oversee the days. The other option was to close the sessions to the public to avoid the problems.

[Marc W]

I agree that thats a problem, but I've noticed people doing that for about the last 5 years. Back in 2001 they had lots of security (even though it was free.) Then they disapeared (although they were still around just not on patrol.) as well as the signs warning people not to go up to the fence. People then started going right up to the fence and by about 2005 nearly everyone was doing it. The last couple of (free) tests I'd been to had security going round moving people back but they were completely pointless, as soon as they left the "fence watchers" all moved back!