Tuesday 9th March 2010

Silverstone track works nearing completion

Latest aerial images show new circuit layout as works progress

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Woodcote and Brooklands complex

Work on Silverstone's new Grand Prix Circuit is nearing completion as the Northamptonshire venue's multi-million pound investment in a new track layout and improved spectator facilities remains on schedule to be finished by the end of March.

These aerial images of the new layout have just been released, along with an update on progress from Richard Phillips, the circuit MD.

"The track works at Brooklands and Woodcote are now complete, including the new run-off area for the fast entry into Pits Straight, while the major new development - the new section of circuit from Abbey, up to the Arena Complex and round to the National Straight - is also coming along nicely," he says.

New Arena Complex - from Abbey

"There is still a considerable amount of work going on at Silverstone, including the new elevated banks and spectator viewing areas, which will continue beyond March. Conference and hospitality buildings are also being built on the new Stowe Complex."

The new circuit will host a number of world class events in 2010, including the F1 British Grand Prix on 09-11 July, and MotoGP and World Superbike motorcycle racing on 18-20 June and 31 July-01 August respectively.

However, the first major international event to test out the new circuit will be the Silverstone Supercar meeting featuring the new FIA GT1 World Championship, on 01-02 May.

Arena Complex - into National Straight

[Frimley111R]

I wondered where my shovel went....

[Mr Gear]

Sealed run-offs instead of gravel. This is good news.

[AdeV]

Mr Gear said:

Sealed run-offs instead of gravel. This is good news.

I have to disagree. Part of the challenge of racing is, if you balls up a corner, your race is over stuck in the gravel. With these "sea of tarmac" run-offs, there's no incentive to get the corner absolutely right every time: Pile in too fast? No problem, the runoff will save me. Try an ambitious - and, ultimately, rubbish - overtake? No problem, I can use the runoff & try again.

Where's the skill in that?

[louismchuge]

AdeV said:

Mr Gear said:

Sealed run-offs instead of gravel. This is good news.

I have to disagree. Part of the challenge of racing is, if you balls up a corner, your race is over stuck in the gravel. With these "sea of tarmac" run-offs, there's no incentive to get the corner absolutely right every time: Pile in too fast? No problem, the runoff will save me. Try an ambitious - and, ultimately, rubbish - overtake? No problem, I can use the runoff & try again.

Where's the skill in that?

53 posts
115 months

[Mr Gear]

louismchuge said:

AdeV said:

Mr Gear said:

Sealed run-offs instead of gravel. This is good news.

I have to disagree. Part of the challenge of racing is, if you balls up a corner, your race is over stuck in the gravel. With these "sea of tarmac" run-offs, there's no incentive to get the corner absolutely right every time: Pile in too fast? No problem, the runoff will save me. Try an ambitious - and, ultimately, rubbish - overtake? No problem, I can use the runoff & try again.

Where's the skill in that?

53 posts
115 months

...and wrong.

I had no idea that breaking your neck in a barrel-rolling single-seater or superbike riders being smashed around by lumpy gravel was preferable to coming to a controlled stop, but there ya go.

[MattOz]

Looking good. For any motorcyclist who's done a trackday or event there, the best thing about the changes is the removal of the ridiculous flip-flop chicane at the pit entrance. Good riddance

Looking forward to driving/riding the new layout sometime this year.

[RichB]

On a different tack, what's the Areana Complex all about?

[anonymous-user]

AdeV said:

Mr Gear said:

Sealed run-offs instead of gravel. This is good news.

I have to disagree. Part of the challenge of racing is, if you balls up a corner, your race is over stuck in the gravel. With these "sea of tarmac" run-offs, there's no incentive to get the corner absolutely right every time: Pile in too fast? No problem, the runoff will save me. Try an ambitious - and, ultimately, rubbish - overtake? No problem, I can use the runoff & try again.

Where's the skill in that?

Actually the skill is still staying on the track while going faster than any other car. No change apart from once you make a mistake you can still race and make it exciting for spectators.

[AdeV]

Mr Gear said:

louismchuge said:

AdeV said:

Mr Gear said:

Sealed run-offs instead of gravel. This is good news.

I have to disagree. Part of the challenge of racing is, if you balls up a corner, your race is over stuck in the gravel. With these "sea of tarmac" run-offs, there's no incentive to get the corner absolutely right every time: Pile in too fast? No problem, the runoff will save me. Try an ambitious - and, ultimately, rubbish - overtake? No problem, I can use the runoff & try again.

Where's the skill in that?

53 posts
115 months

...and wrong.

I had no idea that breaking your neck in a barrel-rolling single-seater or superbike riders being smashed around by lumpy gravel was preferable to coming to a controlled stop, but there ya go.

Nothing like a bit of hyperbole to make your point, eh?

a) If I were a bike rider (I'm not), I'm sure I'd prefer to land on something a little softer than tarmac. Or gravel, for that matter, which is why bike-centric circuits tend to have grass, not gravel (Cadwell, for example). PS: A motorbikist who's been high-sided probably doesn't want to see a sea of tarmac below him?

b) A single-seater may barrel roll after hitting a kerb side-on no matter what the surface the other side of the kerb is. I'd be interested, however, if you can dig up a single death broken neck which can be attributed to having a gravel run-off vs. tarmac run-off.

Edited by AdeV on Tuesday 9th March 12:10

[Frimley111R]

The more cars/bikes that stay on the track throughout the race the better for us paying spectators. I hate it when an F1 car has a slight 'off' and that's it, game over. Going off loses them time but keeps them in the race. More cars/bikes in the race more racing

[davidspooner]

Great stuff, let's see as many cars as possible racing each other to the end. If it means more are 'careless' with the overtake and get punished by a couple of places all the better!

[Daston]

Frimley111R said:

The more cars/bikes that stay on the track throughout the race the better for us paying spectators. I hate it when an F1 car has a slight 'off' and that's it, game over. Going off loses them time but keeps them in the race. More cars/bikes in the race more racing

Exactly

I was at Le Mans in 2001 and the start of the rolling start was lovely and hot but half way round it tipped it down. A lot of the field went off and spent a lot of time in the pits.

[FWDRacer]

So that's the old National circuit screwed then? Shame

[ukaskew]

I thought they were re-profiling Club as well, any shots of that? From the plans it looks as though they were pushing the spectator line back around that area as well, so from a public toggers point of view I'm wondering if this angle has survived...

http://chrisharrison.smugmug.com/Motorsport/Britis...

[soad]

Cool snaps, it's coming together quite nicely.

[Dr Imran T]

I am undecided on this new 'massive' run-off areas. Whilst I do like the idea of cars being able to re-join and continue racing, I do like the old circuits. I love watching cars going down a track with very little run off areas - adds to the thrill. Monaco is superb as are some of the older circuits.

Some of the new circuits with all the funny sea of blue/green paint lack a certain something.

Anyway, good to see Sliverstone making some improvements nevertheless. I hope it does become a 'world class' circuit with the best facilities

[wab172uk]

louismchuge said:

AdeV said:

Mr Gear said:

Sealed run-offs instead of gravel. This is good news.

I have to disagree. Part of the challenge of racing is, if you balls up a corner, your race is over stuck in the gravel. With these "sea of tarmac" run-offs, there's no incentive to get the corner absolutely right every time: Pile in too fast? No problem, the runoff will save me. Try an ambitious - and, ultimately, rubbish - overtake? No problem, I can use the runoff & try again.

Where's the skill in that?

53 posts
115 months

Does the lack of posts make his comments/opinion less so than someone who post everyday? No.

I tend to agree with his comments. Get it wrong, and pay for the mistake with either losing many places due to having to drive round the outside of the Gravel, or get a DNF.

Lets have Traction control back then? A driver spinning out and ending his race is spoiling the enjoyment of the watching public.

Edited by wab172uk on Tuesday 9th March 12:47

[vetteheadracer]

Looking forward to seeing the track in the flesh at the FIUA GT1 World Championship weekend and will be interested to see if the photo opportunities are any good on the new parts of the circuit.

To answer the question about the Arena Complex it was my understanding from many years back that part of the re-development of Silverstone was going to involve building a new F1 pits on the Abbey straight so it wouild also make sense they would build stands / hospitality etc. around that area.

[MiloD]

Great for me - I just hope i get to drive the new circuit on my track day on 30 March!

[oniznorb]

AdeV said:

Mr Gear said:

Sealed run-offs instead of gravel. This is good news.

I have to disagree. Part of the challenge of racing is, if you balls up a corner, your race is over stuck in the gravel. With these "sea of tarmac" run-offs, there's no incentive to get the corner absolutely right every time: Pile in too fast? No problem, the runoff will save me. Try an ambitious - and, ultimately, rubbish - overtake? No problem, I can use the runoff & try again.

Where's the skill in that?

The runoffs are there for safety, so we can't lose them. Perhaps there should be a specified ( slower) route to leave the runoff area so that a drivercompletely leaving the track is penalised.