10 more years at Silverstone
Discussion
GlobalRacer said:
Interesting that they say about transforming the circuit into a year round international motorsport and leisure destination without any mention of national motorsport.
There's plenty of room for both. A "leisure destination" makes more money in winter that a racing circuit.DaveTheRave87 said:
There's plenty of room for both. A "leisure destination" makes more money in winter that a racing circuit.
Not sure a draughty ex-airfield in Northants is going to be hight on my list for a weekend away in Dec 
Unless they build something like a CenterParcs next to it.
DaveTheRave87 said:
There's plenty of room for both. A "leisure destination" makes more money in winter that a racing circuit.
Never said it didn't. There isn't any club racing in the winter anyway. It's more the fact that they only mention international racing and the reputation they have with a lot of club racers.vaud said:
Not sure a draughty ex-airfield in Northants is going to be hight on my list for a weekend away in Dec
Unless they build something like a CenterParcs next to it.
We did the Christmas Lap of Lights a few years ago that was quite fun... but they wouldn't let me do it on the motorbike Unless they build something like a CenterParcs next to it.
DaveTheRave87 said:
GlobalRacer said:
Interesting that they say about transforming the circuit into a year round international motorsport and leisure destination without any mention of national motorsport.
There's plenty of room for both. A "leisure destination" makes more money in winter that a racing circuit.Silverstone should - and it seems is at last, has - worked out how to capitalise upon the racing culture that exists here that doesn't elsewhere. If there's need to add in some off-season fun and other peripherals to boost this further, so be it!
vaud said:
stemcsteste said:
We did the Christmas Lap of Lights a few years ago that was quite fun... but they wouldn't let me do it on the motorbike
That does look fun, shame they stopped it.DanielSan said:
Koln-RS said:
Whilst a lot of drivers seem to like Silverstone, as a spectator, I find it quite ‘soulless’ and not great for viewing a race.
I'd agree with this. There's a lot of other circuits in the UK that are better for spectating than Silverstone.Personally I've never rated Silverstone, I was surprised to see the extension but it does have very good attendance.
DanielSan said:
Koln-RS said:
Whilst a lot of drivers seem to like Silverstone, as a spectator, I find it quite ‘soulless’ and not great for viewing a race.
I'd agree with this. There's a lot of other circuits in the UK that are better for spectating than Silverstone.GlobalRacer said:
Interesting that they say about transforming the circuit into a year round international motorsport and leisure destination without any mention of national motorsport.
Sorry for the rant, not aimed at GlobalRacer but at Silverstone.
In my experience Silverstone have (in the recent years I’ve been competing) never valued club racing there, they merely tolerate it (drivers briefings in the past have highlighted this), how they can proclaim it to be the ‘home of British motor racing’ when all they seem interested in is F1 is a joke, F1 has morphed into its own sport now separate to other motor racing, In my opinion nearly all of the other British circuits are more of a home to British motor racing than Silverstone.
Rant over
(Disgruntled some time club racer)
Koln-RS said:
Whilst a lot of drivers seem to like Silverstone, as a spectator, I find it quite ‘soulless’ and not great for viewing a race.
There is only one really good spot to spectate from (imo) and that is up against the fence at Maggots/Becketts, but I think that has now been put a stop to by the This is no shock.
I am glad in a way, as it means somewhere like Donington or some ridiculous new track like Wales will not appear so the real tracks can get on with dong what they do best ,and Silvberstone can get on with what it does best which is only caring about one event all year and bugger anything else. And people like me can ignore that weekend and go and do something else, cheaper more interesting and entertaining. The only annoyance is living locally and the closures and traffic resulting from the damn thing.
I have been to most venues in the UK and this place is singularly the most unfriendly, over policed and cold, unwelcoming track in the country.
It costs a lot to host a GP and I would be interested to know what the hosting fee is now, as it was one of the cheapest on the calendar last year at 25 million, only Monaco is cheaper I think and maybe a couple of others, which when you think the Saudi's are paying 60 is a huge bargain.
Now I know it is funded differently, but the crowd intake is immense, nearly half a million people, OK a lot of that is repeat traffic every day but the income is vast, so instead of struggling they now make money.
What they also have done is drop literally everything else other than MotoGP and that might be contractual, with this deal I would not be at all shocked if that is dropped it is universally unpopular with most fans and crowds have dropped off a cliff since Rossi stopped. Plus it cant be making as much as crowds have dropped and the fees have probably risen.
They also have shown no interest in WEC and I am sure the ACO would welcome them back if they showed interest, no DTM, GT OPen, GTWC, SBK they even dropped BSB but this might be more Palmer looking to add yet another of his tracks in Spain rather than Silverstone not wanting it.
1 round of British GT, 1 round fo BTCC, see what I am cetting at>
They literally only care about f1, clubbies are easy, no crowd, no pressure just take the exorbitant entry fee and run. So clubbies are ever present.
But its the little things, you are not qllowed to gn and watch testing at most other tracks you can and its free. The loss of walkways,m the endless barriers, the stupid Wing, the buses, fif I mention the endless barriers!!
I am glad in a way, as it means somewhere like Donington or some ridiculous new track like Wales will not appear so the real tracks can get on with dong what they do best ,and Silvberstone can get on with what it does best which is only caring about one event all year and bugger anything else. And people like me can ignore that weekend and go and do something else, cheaper more interesting and entertaining. The only annoyance is living locally and the closures and traffic resulting from the damn thing.
I have been to most venues in the UK and this place is singularly the most unfriendly, over policed and cold, unwelcoming track in the country.
It costs a lot to host a GP and I would be interested to know what the hosting fee is now, as it was one of the cheapest on the calendar last year at 25 million, only Monaco is cheaper I think and maybe a couple of others, which when you think the Saudi's are paying 60 is a huge bargain.
Now I know it is funded differently, but the crowd intake is immense, nearly half a million people, OK a lot of that is repeat traffic every day but the income is vast, so instead of struggling they now make money.
What they also have done is drop literally everything else other than MotoGP and that might be contractual, with this deal I would not be at all shocked if that is dropped it is universally unpopular with most fans and crowds have dropped off a cliff since Rossi stopped. Plus it cant be making as much as crowds have dropped and the fees have probably risen.
They also have shown no interest in WEC and I am sure the ACO would welcome them back if they showed interest, no DTM, GT OPen, GTWC, SBK they even dropped BSB but this might be more Palmer looking to add yet another of his tracks in Spain rather than Silverstone not wanting it.
1 round of British GT, 1 round fo BTCC, see what I am cetting at>
They literally only care about f1, clubbies are easy, no crowd, no pressure just take the exorbitant entry fee and run. So clubbies are ever present.
But its the little things, you are not qllowed to gn and watch testing at most other tracks you can and its free. The loss of walkways,m the endless barriers, the stupid Wing, the buses, fif I mention the endless barriers!!
Fortunately because of my age I remember Silverstone from the 1960s when I was a member of the Silverstone Club which in those days was based at Woodcote with a great cafe and bar and viewing terrace. Every weekend some club races from the beginning of March to November. Exceptions being for the Grand Prix, Tourist Trophy and 6hours WEC.
Then several evenings a year the Club had track events where we could take our own cars around, sometimes the National Circuit and occasionally the Grand Prix circuit.
The cafe/bar was a great place for drinking with Gerry Marshall and other club racers. Can’t remember the cost of membership but it wasn’t a lot. Arrive at the circuit entrance and say going to the clubhouse, no charge. Park in the clubhouse car park right next to the building. Lady at the door was Club Secretary Sue Rew whose husband Robin turboed Reliiant Scimitars and other Ford V6s in the circuit’s industrial park.
Then several evenings a year the Club had track events where we could take our own cars around, sometimes the National Circuit and occasionally the Grand Prix circuit.
The cafe/bar was a great place for drinking with Gerry Marshall and other club racers. Can’t remember the cost of membership but it wasn’t a lot. Arrive at the circuit entrance and say going to the clubhouse, no charge. Park in the clubhouse car park right next to the building. Lady at the door was Club Secretary Sue Rew whose husband Robin turboed Reliiant Scimitars and other Ford V6s in the circuit’s industrial park.
Edited by Tazar on Friday 9th February 18:05
Tazar said:
Fortunately because of my age I remember Silverstone from the 1960s when I was a member of the Silverstone Club which in those days was based at Woodcote with a great cafe and bar and viewing terrace. Every weekend some club races from the beginning of March to November. Exceptions being for the Grand Prix, Tourist Trophy and 6hours WEC.
Then several evenings a year the Club had track events where we could take our own cars around, sometimes the National Circuit and occasionally the Grand Prix circuit.
The cafe/bar was a great place for drinking with Gerry Marshall and other club racers. Can’t remember the cost of membership but it wasn’t a lot. Arrive at the circuit entrance and say going to the clubhouse, no charge. Park in the clubhouse car park right next to the building. Lady at the door was Club Secretary Sue Rew whose husband Robin turboed Reliiant Scimitars and other Ford V6s in the circuit’s industrial park.
Like you I have fond memories of Silverstone, albeit in the early '70s rather than the '60s. I used to visit for the MGCC weekend, when in those days you could pitch a tent on the areas of grass behind the main straight grandstand. The Silvertonee Club at Woodcote was open to us in the evenings and if you were lucky the gate onto the track, by the side of the picket fence would have been left open and you could whisk your MGA, or whatever around for a lap or two before getting ordered off! Happy days. I don't like the place now... Then several evenings a year the Club had track events where we could take our own cars around, sometimes the National Circuit and occasionally the Grand Prix circuit.
The cafe/bar was a great place for drinking with Gerry Marshall and other club racers. Can’t remember the cost of membership but it wasn’t a lot. Arrive at the circuit entrance and say going to the clubhouse, no charge. Park in the clubhouse car park right next to the building. Lady at the door was Club Secretary Sue Rew whose husband Robin turboed Reliiant Scimitars and other Ford V6s in the circuit’s industrial park.
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