Paddock club

[Dajjy]

Anyone have any experience of these tickets and are they worthwhile, in their opinion.

Thanks for any and all information.

Cheers

[Derek Smith]

Dajjy said:

Anyone have any experience of these tickets and are they worthwhile, in their opinion.

Thanks for any and all information.

Cheers

Availed myself of the F! Paddock Club twice. Both times at the British GP, Silverstone.

Whehter it was value for money is so subjective that it is impossible to say. However, I've had more fun on the Club banking.

The experience starts when driving in. You get waved through, put into your own lane, and get all dirty looks from the others. That's got to be worth a bit.

Over onto the infield and I saw a parking space. The bloke in the hivis jacket told me to 'go closer'. I parked two rows from the tents!

I was one of the first fans there, which made me stand out a bit, but then talked to the other chap on our table who was there. A real nutter he was. I mean, he must have got there right as it all opened, and not 10 mins afterwards like me.

The staff treat the early comers with a certain humour but delightfully. You have endless cups of tea/coffee/fruit juice/alcohol. I'm tee-total and this didn't faze them at all.

We were showered in handouts, clothing, caps and other information.

We had a floor show. I was in the Mclaren tent (marquee they called it. It's a big tent) and we had the mechanics come for a Q&A, then Dennis, who was surprisingly entertaining and answered questions quickly and seemingly honestly, then came Berger (this in the early 90s), who treated everyone with disdain, including a 12 or so year old kid, and Senna, who was monosyllabic but didn't seem to be about to rush away as soon as he could.

We had a host on our table, both years it was a chap called Michael Holt, who was absolutely brilliant. He got me and the other early riser into the McL pits directly after qually, with me standing there like some little girl seeing Take That face to face. A chap called Steve, an Aussie, was told off to show us around the spare car and spent the 20 mins or so taking the piss,, but it was fun. And he allowed me to touch the car. (Scream!)

One irritation was when first practice started. Fifteen minutes beforehand I excused myself from the table and said I was off to search for my seat. Holt laughed, then apologised, and told me, and the other fan, to wait. When we finally all went, most of the seats were unoccupied. There couldn't have been more that 30 or 40 of us and we all stood against the front railing. You could look across to the Bridge stand and see everyone packed together getting all excited.

Conversation on the table revolved around the food - very tasty brunch and late lunch was excellent with a good choice - and the wine, but mainly in comparison to other race venues. Nothing was said about the racing, or the previous GP which had been very exciting. The other fan said, when watching practice, that he felt they were posing in front of us. But who would want to show off to two pathetic nerds? Only someone really sad. Indeed, sadder than us nerds.

After qually the two of us were taken to the pits - after having our cameras confiscated - and on our return to the tent we discovered that we were the only sober ones on the table.

It was memorable. It surprises me how memorable it was, being able to bring Holt and Steve's names to mind. Can't remember what I ate though.

The second visit was similar except that, when I was finally kicked out of the tent and was walking back to my car, who should turn up but Nigel Mansell on a monkey bike to take any kid around the infield whose parents would allow him to do so. He asked for no photographs and when I put my camera away he thanked me.

It was all very relaxed and fun. The toilets - Oh! the toilets. They were clean. How about that? - were nearby and you didn't lose your place when using them.

It is expensive - my visits were a gift from a friend - but whether it would be worth it is down to how much of a nerd you are. If you will get there as the gates open - I was held up by traffic so got there a little late - and stand there with your moth open as the cars go past, I reckon it is worth a go.

The staff were really good. Holt especially so. I know it is unlikely, but if anyone knows him, give him a big kiss from me. He made a special day even specialler. And the blonde girl with the big, er, eyes, in the short black skirt. Sham she didn't make my day even more special. She was hot.

[Dajjy]

Thanks for your details.

I fancy doing a few, over the course of the next couple of seasons.

Monza I think and for some reason I'm drawn to Texas ????

[belleair302]

I used to work with Mr Holt and yes he is still around. You were obviously guests of McLaren (Courtholds) who back in the 2000's had a deal with McLaren for Paddock Club tickets at Silverstone.

Having been to 42 GP's in the Paddock Club all I can say is that it is probably the highest level of corporate hospitality available anywhere in any sport worldwide. Most of the teams have driver appearances, wi-fi, air conditioning, comfy sofa's, bars and simulators and models of their cars on display as well as garage and paddock visits.

However these are only available for corporate guests and are not for sale to the public. Golden Card sell Paddock Club hospitality but this is NOT linked to a team and you will not get the same perks nor benefits, but will still pay well over £2,000 for a single day worth of Pit Lane walkabout and some lunch. Is it worth it, no, not i my opinion when that would get you to three GP's plus flights etc.

For the best experience available the Historic Monaco GP is the way to enjoy yourself and there the garages are open for all to enjoy! The current F1 experience is way too secretive and you really cannot see or photograph much throughout the day.

[Derek Smith]

belleair302 said:

I used to work with Mr Holt and yes he is still around. You were obviously guests of McLaren (Courtholds) who back in the 2000's had a deal with McLaren for Paddock Club tickets at Silverstone.

Having been to 42 GP's in the Paddock Club all I can say is that it is probably the highest level of corporate hospitality available anywhere in any sport worldwide. Most of the teams have driver appearances, wi-fi, air conditioning, comfy sofa's, bars and simulators and models of their cars on display as well as garage and paddock visits.

However these are only available for corporate guests and are not for sale to the public. Golden Card sell Paddock Club hospitality but this is NOT linked to a team and you will not get the same perks nor benefits, but will still pay well over £2,000 for a single day worth of Pit Lane walkabout and some lunch. Is it worth it, no, not i my opinion when that would get you to three GP's plus flights etc.

For the best experience available the Historic Monaco GP is the way to enjoy yourself and there the garages are open for all to enjoy! The current F1 experience is way too secretive and you really cannot see or photograph much throughout the day.

Thanks for that.

My mate worked for Coulthaulds. He 'had' Europe and sold the seat covers for the new Golf at the time. Part of his reward was to bring a friend.

Sorry to confuse the OP, but I thought it was all the same.

My mate's personal prize was to stay in the Tyrell pits, also sponsored by Coulthaulds, during the race and see a tyre stop from close distance. This was not the thrill it was purported to be. He said that they were told to stand behind a line and when signaled to do so, when the vehicle had stopped, he and another chap were to take the three steps forward for a 'better view. He said that by the time they'd moved forward 'the bloody car had cleared off and all we were left with was tyre smoke. That's what I got for the biggest single [car cover] sale [in history].'

[Dajjy]

belleair302 said:

I used to work with Mr Holt and yes he is still around. You were obviously guests of McLaren (Courtholds) who back in the 2000's had a deal with McLaren for Paddock Club tickets at Silverstone.

Having been to 42 GP's in the Paddock Club all I can say is that it is probably the highest level of corporate hospitality available anywhere in any sport worldwide. Most of the teams have driver appearances, wi-fi, air conditioning, comfy sofa's, bars and simulators and models of their cars on display as well as garage and paddock visits.

However these are only available for corporate guests and are not for sale to the public. Golden Card sell Paddock Club hospitality but this is NOT linked to a team and you will not get the same perks nor benefits, but will still pay well over £2,000 for a single day worth of Pit Lane walkabout and some lunch. Is it worth it, no, not i my opinion when that would get you to three GP's plus flights etc.

For the best experience available the Historic Monaco GP is the way to enjoy yourself and there the garages are open for all to enjoy! The current F1 experience is way too secretive and you really cannot see or photograph much throughout the day.

Ah this explains a lot.

When I have looked into this I have seen people refer to specific teams and assumed that you got assigned to a team which I thought rather bizarre.

Pretty poor that they both utilise the same name, paddock club, is it not?

I am further presuming that the 4k doesn't really get me that much as I will only have very limited access against other who are in the "team" paddock club.

Is the above correct?

Thanks in advance.

[belleair302]

You will have an area within the Paddock Club usually given over to the provider of the service 'Golden Card' or the such like. They will have 10-15 tables of 6-8 people, maybe more, maybe less, and will offer a buffet breakfast, wine, beer and soft drinks all day, wide screen tv's showing timing screens etc, race programmes and the ability to either be above the pits at certain circuits or to have your own Grandstand at Silverstone or Monaco. You will get the pit lane walkabout but NOT the team access to the garages and motorhomes etc. It is like Economy plus seats on a flight, but it is not first class travel. You will not be in with team sponsors nor with the Porsche Supercup sponsors either.

[Dajjy]

belleair302 said:

You will have an area within the Paddock Club usually given over to the provider of the service 'Golden Card' or the such like. They will have 10-15 tables of 6-8 people, maybe more, maybe less, and will offer a buffet breakfast, wine, beer and soft drinks all day, wide screen tv's showing timing screens etc, race programmes and the ability to either be above the pits at certain circuits or to have your own Grandstand at Silverstone or Monaco. You will get the pit lane walkabout but NOT the team access to the garages and motorhomes etc. It is like Economy plus seats on a flight, but it is not first class travel. You will not be in with team sponsors nor with the Porsche Supercup sponsors either.

Thank you

http://www.grandprixevents.com/f1-paddock-club/f1-...

Looking at this website it purports to give access to simulators paddock club etc

Hence my confusion.

Thanks for clearing this up.

Still will probably do Monza and report back on the experience

[BigBen]

I was lucky enough to get a paddock club pass for the Indian GP on qualifying day as a guest of Airtel. The pit walk about sessions were absolutely fantastic and we were able to access the Mercedes garage as part of Airtel's sponsorship deal, my friend was even allowed to put the front right on Lewis' car (not sure this was officially allowed the mechanic in question's colleague looked surprised)

The hospitality area was directly above the pit garages so you got a great birds eye view of the cars coming in and out, although the start finish straight is probably not the best place to watch the race from it is good for qualifying. In fact if I were paying I would get a premium grandstand for race day and the paddock club for qually

Ben

[woof]

Dajjy said:

Thanks for your details.

I fancy doing a few, over the course of the next couple of seasons.

Monza I think and for some reason I'm drawn to Texas ????

Monza's great - was there a year ago with Pirelli and it also gave us access to wonder around the circuit and sit in the stands with the punters. Or at least we did. Why stay in the sterile environment of the hospitality areas all day when you can experience everything Monza has to offer.

Also at Monza, if you have the confidence you can walk into all the other hospitality areas in the same complex, so you can get to meet most of the drivers who have to do their corporate bit as well.
Texas is the only other place I'd bother with. I can't say I was blown away with Silverstone on the few occasions I've been but then again I go to Silverstone and race, so going to Monza is more of a treat for me.

Oh it's worth mentioning that the F1 Paddock club is only one area of the VIP hospitality. Each team also sells packages. So if you were a Mclaren fan, it's possible to buy passes to be in their hospitality area.

Just read the comments about it not being possible to have team hospitality but that's certainly not the case in recent years. I've been offered tickets for all the top teams - I've got an in with JB and Mclaren if the OP is interested. PM me for more details.

Edited by woof on Sunday 8th December 23:17

[zoomy]

I have done one gp for the last 6 years and thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of all three days.
Paid for it myself and went with a mate so we spent as much time there as possible.
Going with a team was not much more money than a golden card but definitely worth the extra.
We got a tour every day round the pits and car and being fans they showed us more interest.
Met some seriously wealthy people and would love to be able to afford to go more often.
You will meet corporate sponsor's if you go with a team unfortunately not all of them are F1 fans.
I am pretty sure though you can't buy Mclaren hospitality as I am a Mclaren fan however never was offered them as a option as much as I tried.
You will see and you'll be unlucky not to meet most of the drivers if your interested and get about.
Having said that your only allowed around the pits and motor home hospitality areas when they invite you.
The gold card will give you the hospitality and balcony view above the pits but only a limited area will be available.
You do get the pit walks a couple of times a day but not into the garages though you can access the pit wall and sit where Christian Horner nervously rattles his feet.
Not been to Monza or Texas yet but hopefully will be doing Monza next year.
Not sure how to pm Mr. Woof would be interested?
If you can afford it definitely do it all in my humble opinion and experience.