18 replies to this topic

[philhitchings]

well perhaps a bit over the top but having read and seen this:

Silverstone loses its tower
JUNE 9: Silverstone's Autosport Tower is being demolished. The former scoring centre had latterly been used for promotional purposes by the motor racing magazine and nestled between the Woodcote and Pit Straight grandstands.

Work to demolish the building was well under way when snapped during the British Empire Trophy meeting.


click on link to see a photo of the Autosport tower being pulled down


I know that there is still a lot of work being done at the circuit but I didn't realise that they were ripping out some of the more historic parts of the infrastructure. I've sat there a few times in the past and it just struck me as sad

[Suzy]

It's gone you know. Already vanished. I think there was something wrong with it - certainly looked that way inside and I've seen the lining. Where it once stood has been tarmaced over - I don't think anything is going to replace it.

It's strange going to the circuit and not seeing the famous tower. It's also a nuisance because the commentary box has moved. It used to be right on the top of the tower; now it's been moved further down the straight to the start/finish line with the result that the commentators can't see round Bridge and the rest of the complex anymore.

[philhitchings]

I assumed that the pundits would be allowed to use the BRDC roof or something?

Any way why not replace it? Tarmac!!

[Suzy]

No chance of the commentators using the BRDC roof sadly. Firstly, they'd never get in there. Secondly the roof looks like a large meringue and thirdly, the commentators wouldn't be able to see down the pit-straight because there are too many sticking-up things (can't think of the right word:blush: ) coming out of the roof of the pits.

(As you can see, I spend far too much time at Silverstone for my own good:)).

[philhitchings]

thanks

[Locai]

Quote

Originally posted by Suzy
No chance of the commentators using the BRDC roof sadly. Firstly, they'd never get in there. Secondly the roof looks like a large meringue and thirdly, the commentators wouldn't be able to see down the pit-straight because there are too many sticking-up things (can't think of the right word:blush: ) coming out of the roof of the pits.

(As you can see, I spend far too much time at Silverstone for my own good:)).

The generic term would be "obstructions"

[SeanValen]

Sad stuff, but it didn't effect me too much, because the title hightened disappointing expectations, no menstion of the tower, I thought something happened to the Silverstone track and some terrorists had blew it up.

But history is history, f1 must move along with the times, they might build a new something that gets knocked down in 50 years, and forumers in 50 years will say how disappointed they were, but we had to be dissapointed for our tower going away for their 50 years of enjoyment of the building that does not exist yet.

[Suzy]

My understanding is that nothing is going to replace the tower. Just the square lump of tarmac that they've laid there.

I'm afraid that, being the sad person that I am, I know rather too much about the layout of UK circuits and pay far too much attention to them and their facilities. If it's not going too much off-topic, there are loads of brilliant new toilet facilities at Silverstone - so those haven't been demolished.

In fact, because I spend so much time at UK circuits (mainly in the club racing scene but also in top-line motorsport) I find myself compiling mental lists of what's at each circuit, what's new, what needs replacing and what's actually needed. Helps me plan my weekends better.

[SeanValen]

Quote

Originally posted by Suzy
My understanding is that nothing is going to replace the tower. Just the square lump of tarmac that they've laid there.

I'm afraid that, being the sad person that I am, I know rather too much about the layout of UK circuits and pay far too much attention to them and their facilities. If it's not going too much off-topic, there are loads of brilliant new toilet facilities at Silverstone - so those haven't been demolished.

In fact, because I spend so much time at UK circuits (mainly in the club racing scene but also in top-line motorsport) I find myself compiling mental lists of what's at each circuit, what's new, what needs replacing and what's actually needed. Helps me plan my weekends better.

Positive, be positive and positive, human beings can't be replaced, structures can, plans can be remade, in the short term nothing, in the long term, a plan might pop up, keep this image in your head, limit the saddness, celebrate the life of the tower, it had a good run, nothing lasts forever.

[Rene]

Quote

Originally posted by SeanValen
Sad stuff, but it didn't effect me too much, because the title hightened disappointing expectations, no menstion of the tower, I thought something happened to the Silverstone track and some terrorists had blew it up.

But history is history, f1 must move along with the times, they might build a new something that gets knocked down in 50 years, and forumers in 50 years will say how disappointed they were, but we had to be dissapointed for our tower going away for their 50 years of enjoyment of the building that does not exist yet.

Thats almost philsophical..,

[Speed Demon]

Have to say, I thought the Autosport Tower was looking rather tatty when compared to the rest of Silverstone in latter years.

By the way, e-Tracks has moved - new address below!

[gerry nassar]

Quote

Originally posted by SeanValen



Positive, be positive and positive, human beings can't be replaced, structures can, plans can be remade, in the short term nothing, in the long term, a plan might pop up, keep this image in your head, limit the saddness, celebrate the life of the tower, it had a good run, nothing lasts forever.

A great post Sean. Its not the end of the world - just an end of an era - with a new one waiting in the wings!

[Paste]

Good stuff, Sean - you da man

[philhitchings]

Morning Sean, very philosophical

[Sir Frank]

Sean Valen: the higher state of conciousness. A classic

[Dudley]

Quote

Originally posted by Suzy
My understanding is that nothing is going to replace the tower. Just the square lump of tarmac that they've laid there.

I'm afraid that, being the sad person that I am, I know rather too much about the layout of UK circuits and pay far too much attention to them and their facilities. If it's not going too much off-topic, there are loads of brilliant new toilet facilities at Silverstone - so those haven't been demolished.

In fact, because I spend so much time at UK circuits (mainly in the club racing scene but also in top-line motorsport) I find myself compiling mental lists of what's at each circuit, what's new, what needs replacing and what's actually needed. Helps me plan my weekends better.

You're a very sad person....


NEVER LEAVE

[Suzy]

Dudley: Yep - you've got me sussed!!!;)

I will NEVER leave - hard luck folks.

[SeanValen]

Quote

Originally posted by Rene


Thats almost philsophical..,

Quote

Originally posted by gerry nassar


A great post Sean. Its not the end of the world - just an end of an era - with a new one waiting in the wings!

Quote

Originally posted by philhitchings
Morning Sean, very philosophical

Quote

Originally posted by Sir Frank
Sean Valen: the higher state of conciousness. A classic

Thanks, F1 will bring these lows, yet in these times, a new state of mentality and thinking can get us through news like this silverstone news, enjoy the podium while your up there.

[Ghostrider]

Quote

Originally posted by SeanValen

Positive, be positive and positive, human beings can't be replaced, structures can, plans can be remade, in the short term nothing, in the long term, a plan might pop up, keep this image in your head, limit the saddness, celebrate the life of the tower, it had a good run, nothing lasts forever.

Very good thinking, thanx for that post!!

You know, Fisi and Jordan's slump nowadays makes me so negative, willl try to contain it though, it leads to nothing, will try to learn something from the Valen "philosophy".