18 replies to this topic

[dbltop]

I am considering coming from Canada to England next summer to attend the FOS and British GP. I have never been to either and would like to hear opinions on where at the track are the best spots to spectate from.

[TennisUK]

Silverstone is a good venue these days and very well organised.

Are you intending to go for a grand stand ticket of general admission?

[dbltop]

Definitely grandstand for both days, different ones each day if that's possible.

[Ivanhoe]

 

Definitely grandstand for both days, different ones each day if that's possible.

IIRC you can pick any Grand Stand seat on Friday and Saturday if you buy Grand Stand tickets for the weekend.

[Gareth]

IIRC you can pick any Grand Stand seat on Friday and Saturday if you buy Grand Stand tickets for the weekend.

This is correct - with the exception of a few of the "premium" grandstands, which you can't "rove" into. But it does mean you can go round a lot of the circuit.

 

In terms of viewing spots, I would recommend:

 

1. Becketts (my favourite) - get to see a very good % of the circuit from here. You can watch them come out of T1/in to T2 and through the loop section, where there are a good couple of overtaking spots. Then watch them go down Wellington Straight and (if you're in the top right sort of section (looking at the stand from the circuit)) see overtaking in to Brooklands. You then lose them briefly whilst they do the old infield section through to Copse, before they come round and you watch them through the excellent Becketts complex. You can then see them down Hanger straight and see the start of any overtaking moves in to Stowe (there are big screens opposite and the slight time delay means you can switch your view from the track to the screens and see the full overtaking move there). Also a covered grandstand, in case of British weather. Downside is that a lot of the off track stuff takes place over the other side of the circuit - so it's a trek after the on circuit action to the concerts, you're probably not getting to the poduim in time, and it's a decent walk to the entrance/exit*.

 

2. Village - similar to Becketts in terms of what you can see, as you're at the "pinch point" where the two sides of the circuit come together. Less is visible, though, as you can't see Wellington and as much of Hanger. Closer to the main entrance/exit and off circuit action, and potential (if you jog) to make the podium. Enjoyed sitting here the 2 times I did.

 

3. Club - never sat here, but seems to have a great atmosphere and where a lot of the hardcore fans (particularly Lewis fans) hang out if that's what you're after. Also close to the off track action, and of course you're guaranteed to get the podium.

 

When roving on a Friday I've sat in most of the stands and I would always go for one of the above options I think.

 

*one option to mention is Club Silverstone, if you're interested in semi-hospitality. It's a bit more expensive than regular Becketts seats, but you get: 1. car parking right next to the circuit and, importantly, at the back of the circuit - so you can go back roads routes and miss most of the Silverstone traffic, 2. a reserved seating area, with enough seating for all and shade, 3. your own bar and food stalls, with generally smaller queues than the regular ones. I've done it a couple of times and enjoyed it.

[TomNokoe]

I'm looking at the reverse journey and have noticed that it's cheaper to fly into Paris and then connect via Eurostar instead of flying straight to London, if you are budget conscious

[DogEarred]

*one option to mention is Club Silverstone, if you're interested in semi-hospitality. It's a bit more expensive than regular Becketts seats, but you get: 1. car parking right next to the circuit and, importantly, at the back of the circuit - so you can go back roads routes and miss most of the Silverstone traffic, 2. a reserved seating area, with enough seating for all and shade, 3. your own bar and food stalls, with generally smaller queues than the regular ones. I've done it a couple of times and enjoyed it.

An ex-member tells me that it is closed at the moment, possibly not to re-open as re-development is in prospect.

[Viryfan]

I've bought a general admission and a three days inner track (which gives an access to a grandstand inside t1 and F2/f3 paddock).

[TennisUK]

I’ve been going to Silverstone since 1989, my favourite corner to watch from is Club - some stands allow you to see the exit of Stowe, into vale and Club down to Abbey - and see down the pit lane. They are comically expensive these days but if money is no object then it’s a great spot.

Last time I was there we did Woodcote so we could see down the Wellington straight into the complex and all the way down to Copse, which was also great.

Becketts and Abbey are fun during Friday and Saturday (as was the old Bridge corner) simply because the speed of the cars is quite amazing to witness, but the lack of on track action at those places puts me off.

Assuming we go to Silverstone next year I imagine we’d probably go to Stowe again (as the Club prices are comedy these days).

[TennisUK]

I've bought a general admission and a three days inner track (which gives an access to a grandstand inside t1 and F2/f3 paddock).

General Admission at Vale is pretty good. The issue with GA at Silverstone is that it means it’s a bit harder to go for a wander, particularly on the Sunday when it’s rammed - you will need to get there early to get a spot and then keep it reserved.

[dbltop]

I chose Abbey for race day, but will try different locations for the other days. Also have a full weekend ticket to the FOS, which I'm very much looking forward to. Thank you for the suggestions. I might add, if you are thinking of Montreal, general admission is a waste of money, you can't see anything. I recommend GS 24 which is at the exit of the hairpin. You would see heavy braking and full acceleration, plus it's fairly close to the Metro station.

[DogEarred]

An ex-member tells me that it is closed at the moment, possibly not to re-open as re-development is in prospect.

Just heard - now demolished.

[Gareth]

Are we talking about the same thing DogEarred?

 

I hope not as I've bought Club Silverstone tickets as a gift for the family!

[DogEarred]

I’m talking of the Silverstone Racing Club. - with the little stand on the outside of Woodcote Corner.

As you say, Club Silverstone may well be a different thing.

Enjoy your day out!

[Hutton]

I'm last minute.com and have managed to grab some general admission tickets for friday. The last time I went was in 2010, any tips guys and gals, are you allowed in any seating areas on Friday? Thanks.

[Amin]

I'm last minute.com and have managed to grab some general admission tickets for friday. The last time I went was in 2010, any tips guys and gals, are you allowed in any seating areas on Friday? Thanks.

Yes, you can sit in any open grandstand on the Friday (aside from a small section of Becketts and maybe a small section of Abbey).

 

One thing I noticed last year is that the Friday was the busiest I've ever known it, grandstands were filling up 90 minutes before F1 sessions (this may have also been down to the heat). It made it a lot harder to grandstand hop in a big group.

 

I'm hoping to spend some time in Stowe on the Friday. I've never been in the grandstands there and they only seem to be open on F1 weekends.

[Hutton]

Yes, you can sit in any open grandstand on the Friday (aside from a small section of Becketts and maybe a small section of Abbey).

One thing I noticed last year is that the Friday was the busiest I've ever known it, grandstands were filling up 90 minutes before F1 sessions (this may have also been down to the heat). It made it a lot harder to grandstand hop in a big group.

I'm hoping to spend some time in Stowe on the Friday. I've never been in the grandstands there and they only seem to be open on F1 weekends.

What's the crack with parking mate, I've seen that there's 2 car parks but haven't got anything booked.

[Hutton]

My tickets are for Stowe C on Friday, can we still have the same access as those with General Admission tickets?

[Amin]

What's the crack with parking mate, I've seen that there's 2 car parks but haven't got anything booked.

I've only ever pre-booked parking. I'm sure there will be some unofficial pop-up parking options on the day.

 

My tickets are for Stowe C on Friday, can we still have the same access as those with General Admission tickets?

I didn't think you could book grandstands specifically for Friday 

 

But either way, you will have access to every other grandstand.