FoS Access / Grandstands

[dr_gn]

All, I’ve been to the FoS twice, in the early 00’s. Back then general admission allowed access to the pit area and IIRC some grandstands (no separate tickets required).

I’m assuming things have changed, and it might not be possible to get up close to the cars these days?

In the past there were two of us, now four (2 kids). Early bird price doesn’t seem bad, and since we like wandering about, grandstand seating might not be necessary - can we view ‘trackside’, as and when, or is it now too crowded to get a good view without a grandstand ticket?

Lastly, is it worth going in a Friday to avoid some crowds, or do we miss out on a significant amount of running?

Thanks!

[dr_gn]

NoBrakesWC said:

You can get up close to all the cars in the paddock. Weekend can be busy I usually go on Thursday as less crowds. Only thing you would really miss if not going on the Sunday is the timed runs up the hill they do do practice on the other days as well. I like Grandstand as it gives somewhere to sit down and a much better view than standing.

OK great, thanks.

I just thought paying for a grandstand, but then not using the seats for a lot of the day seemed a bit daft, but sounds like it would make the whole experience much better.

[dr_gn]

NoBrakesWC said:

dr_gn said:

NoBrakesWC said:

You can get up close to all the cars in the paddock. Weekend can be busy I usually go on Thursday as less crowds. Only thing you would really miss if not going on the Sunday is the timed runs up the hill they do do practice on the other days as well. I like Grandstand as it gives somewhere to sit down and a much better view than standing.

OK great, thanks.

I just thought paying for a grandstand, but then not using the seats for a lot of the day seemed a bit daft, but sounds like it would make the whole experience much better.

yes I always thought it was silly. But as I always think if it rains you can still watch the action in the dry and if really hot you have somewhere to shelter.

I went this year and didn't have grandstand as I booked late. Standing up for a couple hours watching the shootout practice was tiring.

OK thanks for the info. I'll go for the grandstand option and be done with it. After all we don't go to that many big events, and it would be a shame to end up regretting not spending a few extra quid for a bit of comfort.

[dr_gn]

Quick question about prices for [Admission] and [Roving Grandstand] tickets vs. [Admission & Grandstand Package] tickets (for Saturday):

For [Admission & Grandstand Package] tickets, it ends up £154 more expensive than getting [Admission] and [Roving Grandstand] tickets separately. This is mainly becasue there's no child option for [Admission & Grandstand Package] tickets. Even so, for four adults it would still be £68 cheaper.

Is there some kind of disadvantage to buying separate tickets for Admission and Grandstands?

Also, are there any decent places to stay for a night on the south coast, perhaps 30 minutes from Goodwood?

Thanks again.

[dr_gn]

Thanks all,

Yes, we only needed one programme, so that saves quite a few £.

I spoke to the ticket office today. For children, you can't go for the package without paying full price for admission.

Anyway, I just tried to buy 4x admission tickets and 4x grandstand tickets for Saturday, verified payment on my bank app, returned to the Goodwood page and...nothing.

No confirmation email, nothing out of my account.

So another fricking 'phone call tomorrow.

I think I'd rather drive 4 hours home than stay at Butlins in Bognor, but thanks for the heads-up!

[dr_gn]

Booked! Can't wait.

Noticed there's "Performance Car" parking available next to the F1 paddock...that must be superb. One day when I'm brave enough I'll be in there...one day.

[dr_gn]

gt40steve said:

dr_gn said:

Booked! Can't wait.

Noticed there's "Performance Car" parking available next to the F1 paddock...that must be superb. One day when I'm brave enough I'll be in there...one day.

There is a list of cars that qualify for that parking option and it's not free either.

Just like the Revival, the aviation content is not as prolific as it used to be. We all understand the safety and financial reasons why that is.

Anyhows have a great time, something to look forward too !

Thanks! Exactly - something to look forward to. I like airshows but, I'm at FoS for the other stuff I love to see: F1 and Le Mans cars.

I've got a car that's on the performance parking list. I saw that it wasn't free, but for some shallow reason I like the idea of it.

The "brave" comment was becasue I spent 8 years rebuilding it from the ground up. Family got in the way and I only did a few hundred miles in it before consigning it to the garage for 14 years. This year it will see the light of day again, after doing a few bits of work on it recently. Just 4 new tyres to go now. A four-hour motorway trip would be pretty stressful until I've got to trust it though.

[dr_gn]

NoBrakesWC said:

ecsrobin said:

dr_gn said:

A four-hour motorway trip would be pretty stressful until I've got to trust it though.

Yes don’t do that! It’s amazing (more so the revival) how many cars you pass broken down when heading to Goodwood events. I suspect for many the car only comes out for that occasion.

I've seen it an MM and Revival where people just dump there pride and joy on the side of the road because it broke down and then walk the rest.

We live 200+ miles away though...

TBH it's the Smart Motorway thing. The fact that you can have two blocks of cars legally doing two significantly different speeds terrifies me...and that's just the folks that are sticking to the rules. Factor in no hard shoulder and it makes the whole thing not worth the effort.

[dr_gn]

Enda78 said:

Has anyone had issues with buying tickets on the site? Every time I try it seems to do nothing at the payment page.

Yes, the same as you (as per one of my previous posts). Just call them and pay over the 'phone.

[dr_gn]

ecsrobin said:

Unreal said:

Enda78 said:

Has anyone had issues with buying tickets on the site? Every time I try it seems to do nothing at the payment page.

The site is poor and often causes problems. Try using Chrome or Firefox.

Goodwood are world leaders in st IT, they’ve probably won numerous awards for delivering pain and headaches.

The last few years I’ve been unable to pay by debit card on their website but credit works, others have reported the same but isn’t a universal problem.

It was a lot of cash and I was dithering whether to actually call them and pay - it was like a second chance to not bother! Anyway, glad I did. I wonder how many people end up saying "ah sod it".

[dr_gn]

ecsrobin said:

dr_gn said:

It was a lot of cash and I was dithering whether to actually call them and pay - it was like a second chance to not bother! Anyway, glad I did. I wonder how many people end up saying "ah sod it".

I suspect they will only invest in a new IT department and software when they stop holding sellout events. For now there’s always someone to take the next space.

Which is fair enough.

[dr_gn]

Random question for Saturday - We'll be arriving about 10:00 from the North. I'm going to put the village of Singleton into the Satnav, then take the public car park route/signs from there. Aiming to get into Car Park "S".

How long would we be queueing to get in at that time - an hour or so?

Thanks.

[dr_gn]

Lynchie999 said:

dr_gn said:

Random question for Saturday - We'll be arriving about 10:00 from the North. I'm going to put the village of Singleton into the Satnav, then take the public car park route/signs from there. Aiming to get into Car Park "S".

How long would we be queueing to get in at that time - an hour or so?

Thanks.

... probably be slow all the way back to Midhurst at that time...

Fair enough, so maybe an hour or so of slow traffic once in the vicinity? That's kind of what I expected.

[dr_gn]

ecsrobin said:

dr_gn said:

Fair enough, so maybe an hour or so of slow traffic once in the vicinity? That's kind of what I expected.

Today at my usual time of arriving for 9 I spent an additional 1.5hrs in traffic. id bank on 2.

OK thanks. Nothing I can do about it, but good to know.