Silverstone General Admission

[Mike400]

Thinking about taking the family (me, the wife and two kids under 5) to see the British GP next year at Silverstone.

Apart from the cost, seated tickets are a no no as we couldn't expect the kids to sit all day.

So we are looking at general admission tickets. I see they do a family ticket but no prices online for this.

But basically are the General admission tickets worth the money? anyone gone this route before?

Thanks!

[SeeFive]

IMO, not really suitable, and poor value. Silverstone is as flat as Kate Moss's chest, and wherever you are standing you will see a car coming at you, and going away again. After that, if you are lucky enough to be in front of a big screen, you will be watching it on that. Also, GA areas tend to be pretty crowded, and the kids may be frustrated at being three feet too short to see any of the cars go by.

[Piglet]

Seated tickets allow you to get up and wander around, in a "non seated" area (I'm not even sure where these would be these days?) you'll need to be in at the crack of dawn to find yourself some space which you will then not be able to leave all day and yes, your little ones will find visibility a problem.

I'm not entirely sure what the answer is as seated tickets are pricey. My suggestion would probably be that you try to get tickets for just the Friday and/or the Saturday. Friday is usually quieter and you'll find it easier to get around and to see cars on track, Saturday will be more of a problem...but not as bad as Sunday.

Other than that, come to see us at Brands when we run DTM, World Touring Cars, A1GP etc., much cheaper, pretty family friendly these days and much easier to get around!

(PS - don't forget EAR DEFENDERS for kids)

[Mike400]

Thanks guys, we have kids ear defenders etc as we go to a lot of local sprints / hill climbs road races etc.

I should add kid no.2 hasnt been born yet - he is due in a few weeks so will be around seven months old at the time of the GP.

Our daughter will be just over two - her first "event" was the world championship by renault at Donington at eight months old and she loved it - she loves the sights and sounds of racing already at 18 months old!

So perhaps something at brands would be a better family option?

Donington was good when we went as you could wander round a good bit and there were plenty of other things to see and do.

[zac510]

Some club days at Brands you can drive around and park behind Druids, plenty of space to lay out a rug for a picnic, etc.

Never been to the DTM or A1GP but they seem to attract too big crowds to let you do that!

Are you not in NI?

[GolfGT]

SeeFive said:

IMO, not really suitable, and poor value. Silverstone is as flat as Kate Moss's chest, and wherever you are standing you will see a car coming at you, and going away again. After that, if you are lucky enough to be in front of a big screen, you will be watching it on that. Also, GA areas tend to be pretty crowded, and the kids may be frustrated at being three feet too short to see any of the cars go by.

It depends on what day you go, this year I went on a friday for £39.00 it was fine and the weather was ok.

[Piglet]

You can park on South Bank for all events at Brands AFAIK although there is a small charge for the big meetings. I think it's a great option, especially if you've got kids. You can have a blanket or even a beach tent next to your car and you haven't got to carry round bags of food etc. It's a bit of a drag though I'd imagine if you then want to come over to the centre, in fact I'm not sure how you get there, is there a tunnel from that side? (spot the person who never gets out of the centre of the circuit!)

For the big events there are funfair type rides and track demo's (Lewis H for DTM!), Andy Priaulx in an F1 car for WTCC). A1GP is also very loud and quite high pitched though.

I don't have kids but IMO F1 isn't well suited to little kids, it's too noisy and Silverstone will be much too busy. I'd leave it until they are bigger and can appreciate it more - if you really want to go then leave them with granny or someone suitable!

[Mike400]

zac510 said:

Are you not in NI?

Yea, hence being able to go to plenty of road racing, NW200 etc etc!

Never been to a F1 GP before so kinda fancied going to the last one at Silverstone...

But still would be interested in going to any other "major" motorsport event and making a holiday out of it. Hence the need for something with a bit of family stuff!

[Piglet]

You can camp at Brands if you fancy making a few days of a big meeting, that would give you a good base that you could wander to and fro from.

(let me know if you're coming over for a Brands meeting, I can't sort tickets but might be able to sort you something extra if there is anything going on.)

[bordseye]

Mike400 said:

I should add kid no.2 hasnt been born yet - Our daughter will be just over two

Lets be realistic here - its Dad's interest and meaningless to kids of that age. What do you remember from when you were 2? Whats more its easy for kids to get frightened by noise, and its easy for them to spoil your day with their needs.

Best farm out the kids to a babysitter and go enjoy yourself on your own. Wont be half as much fun as the local races but thats IMO of course.

[Don]

Here's an alternative.

Go to a Formula 1 Test Day.

Entrance is free. Enough people go that the burger vans are open. Only a few people go, though, so it's largely empty. The views of the cars are fantastic. There will be room to let your little ones have just enough freedom to not go apest. When they tire and want to leave - you can do so with no feeling that you've wasted your money.

AND you get to see F1 cars hoooning around Silverstone.

Great if you want to do some photography too - as you can actually see the track without someone's head in the way.

[williamp]

SeeFive said:

. Also, GA areas tend to be pretty crowded, and the kids may be frustrated at being three feet too short to see any of the cars go by.

Its so annoying that everyone has found a spot where they can sit and watch the race. We cal all see the track....then the race starts and people decide they need to stand up. which means everyone else has to

why stand up???

WHY?????

[GolfGT]

Go to a Formula 1 Test Day - isnt that £10.00?

[Nicol@]

GolfGT said:

Go to a Formula 1 Test Day - isnt that £10.00?

yes and you have to book in advance.

[andy97]

Well, I went to the GP this year for the first time and, although I count myself as a major petrolhead and racer I wouldn't go again. Its just soooooo dull. Go and watch 10-12 clubbies at Donington, Brands, Oulton Park, Cadwell or Anglesey for the same money. Better scenery, better racing, easier to park and you can wander round the paddock and see the cars close up. When I used to make feeble attempts to race a single seater, if some one with kids showed an interest in my car I'd get them to sit the child in the car and have their photo taken and I'd chat to thenm about the car, the series, the acing etc. They seemed to like it. Try that with a Williams LOL!!!