Silverstone Racing Club
Discussion
Have to say, every time i go here I feel little by little care is taken for anything except people with money, all year you are unlikely to be able to view near Becketts, so they can build another monstrosity there no doubt to make even more money. Is this where they are building this sort of wooded village idiocy?
Spent a lot of my childhood going to the Silverstone Racing Club, Janet who ran it for years was brilliant.
Didn't notice it when watching BSB but did notice the lack of stand during the British GT Coverage.
Used to love Silverstone, but it really has been totally destroyed. I basically opt to go racing anywhere other than Silverstone now, just a soulless place.
I think for years they hadn't cared about Club Motorsport
Didn't notice it when watching BSB but did notice the lack of stand during the British GT Coverage.
Used to love Silverstone, but it really has been totally destroyed. I basically opt to go racing anywhere other than Silverstone now, just a soulless place.
I think for years they hadn't cared about Club Motorsport
If I may add to the previous comment.
I was a member of the original Silverstone Racing Club.
Still have one of their badges on a jacket.
Prior to being infield the clubhouse was on the outside of Woodcote and was run by Sue Rew before Janet. It was a popular bar for a lot of the drivers after the races. Brilliant for watching the fast cars on the GP circuit coming through Woodcote or those coming down the National Circuit and having a moment when they have too much speed for Woodcote.
In those days the club had many members’ track events before they became a big thing. I remember an evening in my MGBGT coming down the National straight and a guy overtook me in a Cortina approaching Woodcote and I’d already started braking and thought obviously I started too early and then realised his brakes had failed. He just kept on going and hit the tyre wall. Don’t know how he got home but it wasn’t in his Cortina.
Really is a soulless place these days.
I was a member of the original Silverstone Racing Club.
Still have one of their badges on a jacket.
Prior to being infield the clubhouse was on the outside of Woodcote and was run by Sue Rew before Janet. It was a popular bar for a lot of the drivers after the races. Brilliant for watching the fast cars on the GP circuit coming through Woodcote or those coming down the National Circuit and having a moment when they have too much speed for Woodcote.
In those days the club had many members’ track events before they became a big thing. I remember an evening in my MGBGT coming down the National straight and a guy overtook me in a Cortina approaching Woodcote and I’d already started braking and thought obviously I started too early and then realised his brakes had failed. He just kept on going and hit the tyre wall. Don’t know how he got home but it wasn’t in his Cortina.
Really is a soulless place these days.
Edited by Tazar on Wednesday 11th May 15:25
It's such a shame how much Silverstone has changed, I get you need to keep up with things but they seems to have killed any form of heritage from the place.
I always enjoyed the fact they would get drivers over during different events. Remember talking to two random Americans at the Walter Hayes called Josef Newgarden and Connor Daly. Really followed their careers afterwards. Joey Foster was always really good when he came in.
Met Damon Hill there as well, which as my childhood hero was really quite special.
I have a lot of fond memories of the Silverstone Racing Club, really sad it seems to have died a rather unceremonious death.
I always enjoyed the fact they would get drivers over during different events. Remember talking to two random Americans at the Walter Hayes called Josef Newgarden and Connor Daly. Really followed their careers afterwards. Joey Foster was always really good when he came in.
Met Damon Hill there as well, which as my childhood hero was really quite special.
I have a lot of fond memories of the Silverstone Racing Club, really sad it seems to have died a rather unceremonious death.
Spent an intersting time talking to one of the USAC (I think it was called then) team members on the evening before their (postponed) trace
Asking about how they found things going while they were over here and general motor racing chit chat.
Only later did I find out that I'd spent a half hour or so in he company of one A J Foyt
That sort of arrangement will never happen again
Asking about how they found things going while they were over here and general motor racing chit chat.
Only later did I find out that I'd spent a half hour or so in he company of one A J Foyt
That sort of arrangement will never happen again
SimplySutil said:
It's such a shame how much Silverstone has changed, I get you need to keep up with things but they seems to have killed any form of heritage from the place.
I always enjoyed the fact they would get drivers over during different events. Remember talking to two random Americans at the Walter Hayes called Josef Newgarden and Connor Daly. Really followed their careers afterwards. Joey Foster was always really good when he came in.
Met Damon Hill there as well, which as my childhood hero was really quite special.
I have a lot of fond memories of the Silverstone Racing Club, really sad it seems to have died a rather unceremonious death.
Newgarden and Daly racing at the Walter Hayes?I always enjoyed the fact they would get drivers over during different events. Remember talking to two random Americans at the Walter Hayes called Josef Newgarden and Connor Daly. Really followed their careers afterwards. Joey Foster was always really good when he came in.
Met Damon Hill there as well, which as my childhood hero was really quite special.
I have a lot of fond memories of the Silverstone Racing Club, really sad it seems to have died a rather unceremonious death.
That'll have been down to Jeremey Shaw's scholarship program for young American drivers rather than Silverstone
FredericRobinson said:
Newgarden and Daly racing at the Walter Hayes?
That'll have been down to Jeremey Shaw's scholarship program for young American drivers rather than Silverstone
Yeah, cannot remember the year, I think Newgarden won heats/semi but binned it in the final. Daley won it overall from memory. That'll have been down to Jeremey Shaw's scholarship program for young American drivers rather than Silverstone
It was brilliant the Dempsey US scholarship, Tristian Nunez at least raced in the WH, possibly even won.
They always made sure the US scholarship drivers came over to the SRC to give a little talk.
Spent some time chatting to a lovely fella who was in the SRC for many years he was telling me all about this during British GT practice on Saturday. Knocked down to make space for more cash register grandstand space for one event a year charging likely 600 quid a pop apparently.
What Silverstone neglect to mention is that it 'might' be replaced, this chap telling me maybe next year, but that also, despite a lot of the members being elderly, his infield parking access and pass was removed aswell. Is that really necessary? All you are doing is making it easier for thede people, who have backed you through everything to walk away.
This gentleman has been going here since 1969, and I think some more respect from this soulless money pit is needed at times. I understand the need for progress, but surely something could have been offered. The money wasted in this place on temp fencing and gates alone is astronomical, you can't go here, walk here, don't touch that, it really is becoming ever more soulless.
I cant recall what happened to the Donington club either, I remember the stand at McLean's, but was often empty obviously, but I would imagine that met a similar death.
What Silverstone neglect to mention is that it 'might' be replaced, this chap telling me maybe next year, but that also, despite a lot of the members being elderly, his infield parking access and pass was removed aswell. Is that really necessary? All you are doing is making it easier for thede people, who have backed you through everything to walk away.
This gentleman has been going here since 1969, and I think some more respect from this soulless money pit is needed at times. I understand the need for progress, but surely something could have been offered. The money wasted in this place on temp fencing and gates alone is astronomical, you can't go here, walk here, don't touch that, it really is becoming ever more soulless.
I cant recall what happened to the Donington club either, I remember the stand at McLean's, but was often empty obviously, but I would imagine that met a similar death.
LukeBrown66 said:
...Knocked down to make space for more cash register grandstand space for one event a year charging likely 600 quid a pop...
And that sums up the economics of the site perfectly. They make money from 3 or 4 events a year (F1, Classic, MotoGP and BTCC) where they can get a decent number of punters through the doors, daytime track days have low enough overheads to wash their face, but I bet everything else barely breaks even once you cost up selling tickets, hiring security staff and cleaners etc.LukeBrown66 said:
Spent some time chatting to a lovely fella who was in the SRC for many years he was telling me all about this during British GT practice on Saturday. Knocked down to make space for more cash register grandstand space for one event a year charging likely 600 quid a pop apparently.
What Silverstone neglect to mention is that it 'might' be replaced, this chap telling me maybe next year, but that also, despite a lot of the members being elderly, his infield parking access and pass was removed aswell. Is that really necessary? All you are doing is making it easier for thede people, who have backed you through everything to walk away.
This gentleman has been going here since 1969, and I think some more respect from this soulless money pit is needed at times. I understand the need for progress, but surely something could have been offered. The money wasted in this place on temp fencing and gates alone is astronomical, you can't go here, walk here, don't touch that, it really is becoming ever more soulless.
I cant recall what happened to the Donington club either, I remember the stand at McLean's, but was often empty obviously, but I would imagine that met a similar death.
That is really really quite depressing. There was a couple in their 70s we used to speak to all the time, I think they had been members for years. What Silverstone neglect to mention is that it 'might' be replaced, this chap telling me maybe next year, but that also, despite a lot of the members being elderly, his infield parking access and pass was removed aswell. Is that really necessary? All you are doing is making it easier for thede people, who have backed you through everything to walk away.
This gentleman has been going here since 1969, and I think some more respect from this soulless money pit is needed at times. I understand the need for progress, but surely something could have been offered. The money wasted in this place on temp fencing and gates alone is astronomical, you can't go here, walk here, don't touch that, it really is becoming ever more soulless.
I cant recall what happened to the Donington club either, I remember the stand at McLean's, but was often empty obviously, but I would imagine that met a similar death.
Silverstone has become a place I actively don't go too, so many nicer venues in the UK, and they seem a lot more friendlier about taking my money.
I think it all stems from management I would imagine. I think they have a very robust and vociferous approach to health and safety, which is fair as it is a huge site. But compared to Brands a week before, the approach could not be more different for a much bigger crowd but admittedly a more compact venue.
But I also think they make a bunch, there were loads of people in Silverstone garb in vans etc on Saturday, not just one or two, every time I go there there is stuff going on at Stowe circuit, that must be making 300 quid a time.
Regarding the SRC, the stand is already erected and ready for the F1.
And I think that just about says it all, all they want from you now is to go to their new experience centre, spend a bit more, eat overpriced food, a burger there on Saturday was 7 quid, that is daylight robbery spend, spend spend.
I suppose a lot of people just pay it, it was busy, the tables were all taken, all I can say is that a lot of people in this world have surplus money and are not really bothered about spending it on stuff that should be half the price.
But I also think they make a bunch, there were loads of people in Silverstone garb in vans etc on Saturday, not just one or two, every time I go there there is stuff going on at Stowe circuit, that must be making 300 quid a time.
Regarding the SRC, the stand is already erected and ready for the F1.
And I think that just about says it all, all they want from you now is to go to their new experience centre, spend a bit more, eat overpriced food, a burger there on Saturday was 7 quid, that is daylight robbery spend, spend spend.
I suppose a lot of people just pay it, it was busy, the tables were all taken, all I can say is that a lot of people in this world have surplus money and are not really bothered about spending it on stuff that should be half the price.
Also, there must be a vast quantity of 'motorsport fans' who only go to one race a year, the F1 at Silverstone, so will happily pay whatever it costs for a good weekend's entertainment.
(Not dissimilar to the many of us who go over to France for Le Mans each year, another event where the organisers have no shame in increasing the prices handsomely as time goes on.)
(Not dissimilar to the many of us who go over to France for Le Mans each year, another event where the organisers have no shame in increasing the prices handsomely as time goes on.)
LukeBrown66 said:
Spent some time chatting to a lovely fella who was in the SRC for many years he was telling me all about this during British GT practice on Saturday. Knocked down to make space for more cash register grandstand space for one event a year charging likely 600 quid a pop apparently.
What Silverstone neglect to mention is that it 'might' be replaced, this chap telling me maybe next year, but that also, despite a lot of the members being elderly, his infield parking access and pass was removed aswell. Is that really necessary? All you are doing is making it easier for thede people, who have backed you through everything to walk away.
This gentleman has been going here since 1969, and I think some more respect from this soulless money pit is needed at times. I understand the need for progress, but surely something could have been offered. The money wasted in this place on temp fencing and gates alone is astronomical, you can't go here, walk here, don't touch that, it really is becoming ever more soulless.
I cant recall what happened to the Donington club either, I remember the stand at McLean's, but was often empty obviously, but I would imagine that met a similar death.
Indeed it's depressing the state of the circuit now compared to what it was - also sad when visiting Donington to see the area of flat ground where the Redgate Pub used to be What Silverstone neglect to mention is that it 'might' be replaced, this chap telling me maybe next year, but that also, despite a lot of the members being elderly, his infield parking access and pass was removed aswell. Is that really necessary? All you are doing is making it easier for thede people, who have backed you through everything to walk away.
This gentleman has been going here since 1969, and I think some more respect from this soulless money pit is needed at times. I understand the need for progress, but surely something could have been offered. The money wasted in this place on temp fencing and gates alone is astronomical, you can't go here, walk here, don't touch that, it really is becoming ever more soulless.
I cant recall what happened to the Donington club either, I remember the stand at McLean's, but was often empty obviously, but I would imagine that met a similar death.
Tazar said:
If I may add to the previous comment.
I was a member of the original Silverstone Racing Club.
Still have one of their badges on a jacket.
This is how I like to remember Silverstone as a proper circuit, Christ they've really fI was a member of the original Silverstone Racing Club.
Still have one of their badges on a jacket.
Edited by Tazar on Wednesday 11th May 15:25
ked it now... I think the last straw for me was them stopping using Bridge corner, after that I didn't bother going. The old circuit, as shown on my badge, was a lovely fast circuit to drive. I used to live close by and I also regularly got onto the M1 and drove up to Donington. The Redgate pub was a good meeting place. In those early days there was always something being added to the museum.
I suppose it’s a case of if you can remember these places then be grateful you can because that’s when motorsport was open to the fans. Likewise the bar at Mallory Park or Brands Hatch. An ordinary fan could be at the bar buying a drink and you’d be brought into a conversation with a well recognised driver.
To get that level of mixing with the drivers and relaxed atmospheres I go to hillclimbs these days.
I suppose it’s a case of if you can remember these places then be grateful you can because that’s when motorsport was open to the fans. Likewise the bar at Mallory Park or Brands Hatch. An ordinary fan could be at the bar buying a drink and you’d be brought into a conversation with a well recognised driver.
To get that level of mixing with the drivers and relaxed atmospheres I go to hillclimbs these days.
Just looking through the latest Octane magazine and see that Silverstone circuit is developing some of the land at Copse, Maggotts and Becketts into a housing estate of 60 two and four bedroom motor homes costing from £750,000 with a clubhouse and car storage.
Look at www.escapadeliving.com
Please form an orderly queue and no jostling.
I’m aware it’s a sign of the times but it’s not for me. Are they going to dictate what cars you can have on your driveways?
Look at www.escapadeliving.com
Please form an orderly queue and no jostling.
I’m aware it’s a sign of the times but it’s not for me. Are they going to dictate what cars you can have on your driveways?
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