The British
Grand Prix. One of my highlights of the season – and I’m sure plenty of you
agree with me. Held at the home of motorsport, Silverstone, the race is always
met with fanatic enthusiasm, passion and most likely rain.
Top tips:
Get to the track early:
General Admission ticket holders may
need to wake up very early to head to the track, competition for the best spot
it high. However there are plenty of fantastic viewing areas which enable you
to move around during the day and experience the full spectator experience. You
also don’t want to miss the fantastic support races and sessions where you can
see some of motorsport’s rising stars. So get up before the break of dawn or you may find yourself with rather limited choice.
Ear Defenders:
A Formula One car is loud. It’s one
of the best things about them, the noise is truly incredible and with 24 of
them, the Northamptonshire countryside is a buzz with the explosive sounds of
V8 engines. Whilst no lasting damage can be caused by the noise produced by
Formula One cars, it is best to be prepared and bring ear defenders for small
children and kids. For adults, it can become slightly uncomfortable after
continuously hearing the noise and ear defenders or foam ear plugs take the
edge of the noise whilst still enabling you to enjoy the meaty tones.
Sun cream and umbrellas:
Everyone knows that British weather
can be volatile. It can also be changeable from day to day so be prepared and
bring plenty of sun cream (better safe than sorry) and plenty of rain coats and
umbrella’s – particularly if you are sitting in an open grandstand or are in
general admission. Wellies are also advised in case you have to help fish someones car out of the mud again... It’s also worth bringing plenty of water and drink to keep
you hydrated as believe it or not conditions can be quite warm in the UK from time to time.
Entertainment:
Whilst Formula One may be all the
entertainment you need, there’s also plenty of stuff to get involved with
between sessions so it’s well worth a wander and investigate. There’s the
E-Zone which is free to enter and has loads of exciting stuff for all the
family to get involved with including race simulators and Kiddimoto. There’s
also the main stage positioned alongside the Wellington Straight where the
likes of Billy Ocean and Alistair Griffin will take to the stage with live
music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s also where the after race party will
take place. There’s also a fun fair, loads of stalls and a display by the Red
Arrows on Sunday. For more information head to the Silverstone entertainment page.
Silverstone Radio:
Bring your smart phone and download
the Silverstone Radio app for live commentary and features. You can also listen
on TuneIn radio and it enables you to keep up with the action that is out of
sight. It's handy, practical and helpful. What more could you want?
Transport:
Silverstone has plenty of parking
space but not for the capacity of spectators that will watch the race on
Sunday. We also saw last year that parking proved to be disastrous with the heavy rain that accompanied the flocks of fans driving in to the circuit. Driving to the track can prove to be a lengthily and
frustrating process in itself but when you get there, parking is a plenty.
However one thing that is often overlooked is that you must book your parking via a car park pas or registered for the Park and Ride car parks situated away from the circuit. The latter can be helpful for not only reducing traffic numbers but also to avoid any parking troubles such as the mud-baths that were created last year – it’s Britain so rain is almost certain at some point over the weekend.
Pricing for your parking pass at the
track varies depending on the days that you are attending, have a look at them
here: http://www.bookf1.com/f1-britain/transport-parking.htm
The above link also has Park and Ride
prices (which are considerably cheaper – the two areas are situated with one
for M1 users and one for 40) and bus times to the circuit from a number of
places. It is best to check and plan your route in advance of your trip to make
sure you get to the track on time and for all the sessions.
You can also get the train into
Northampton and take the shuttle bus – which runs regularly – to the track.
Alternatively taxi services are available but to avoid having to pay parking
charges or getting stuck in the tricky A43 one way system it may be easier to
be dropped off in Silverstone Village and walk to the track. If in doubt with any travel plans, check on Google maps for directions and journey times.
The circuit is of course in walking
distance from all the camp sites and local villages. Check with your
accommodation provider for the best route or as said above, if you are in a
Taxi request to be dropped off in Silverstone Village (you will avoid the
queues too!) Alternatively if you have enough cash, you can also travel by
helicopter!
Accommodation:
With Silverstone’s location near to
several big towns, there are plenty of hotel options. However Holiday Inn has
some fantastic hotels available in the area at low prices and with close
proximity to the track:
 |
| (c) Sky Sports F1 |
Ahead of what will be a typically exciting race, here’s a guide to the British
Grand Prix with top spectator spots, top tips and British Grand Prix facts plus
much more.
British
Grand Prix Fact’s:
Date: 28th-30th
June 2013
Location: Silverstone
Circuit
Track
length: 3.667 miles
Race laps:
67
Lap record:
1m30.874 (Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 2010)
Nearest
town:
County:
Northamptonshire
Predicted
Attendance: 300,000+ people over the race weekend
Top
spectator spots:
 |
| (c) Sky Sports F1 |
Wherever you
sit around the Silverstone circuit, the atmosphere will always be electric.
With its grandstands and banking, there is always plenty of room for the
flocking spectators and you get a good view wherever you are positioned. To book tickets (there are some available) visit the Silverstone circuit website.
However here
are some of the best spots in both the grandstand and general admission
categories.
Grandstand
- Club Corner – This vantage point provides a great view of a number of corners. You can see the cars coming through Stowe and approaching the Vale chicane before the final corner. You also have a great view of the new pit lane and the podium positioned at the end of the new wing complex.
- Luffield – Sitting in the Luffield grandstand provides a huge buzz. The tight and twisty complex means that you can see the cars at both high and low speed as they emerge along the Wellington straight and make their way through Brooklands and onto the National pit straight.
- Becketts/Club – This huge grandstand has a high profile that enables fans to see a wide section of track as the cars speed through Copse to the right, pass and tackle the sweeping Maggotts and Becketts section. You can also glimpse the cars going onto the Hangar Straight and also the new infield loop.
General Admission:
- International Pit Straight – This area is directly in front of the pit lane and through the fast Abbey corner, turn one. It’s a popular and elevated spot that enables you to get close to the cars as they pull away from the start and reach top speed before quickly changing direction for the sweeping turn one.
- Copse - There is a huge section of GA space going through Copse and heading all the way down to the Hangar Straight. However positioning yourself directly in front of Copse corner means you get to see cars accelerating to speeds of up to 190mph before a quick change of direction through one of the circuit’s most challenging turns.
- Wellington Straight – The whole straight and Luffield complex allows fantastic viewing for GA ticket holders. Not only can spectators see cars travelling at top speed (even faster with DRS) but they can also see them at slow speeds and into a key overtaking place on the track.
Timetable:
Friday:
Gates and Grandstands Open: 7.00AM
Formula One Free Practice 1: 10.00AM
(90 minutes)
GP2 Practice Session: 12.00PM (30
minutes)
Formula One Free Practice 2: 14.00PM
(90 minutes)
GP2 Qualifying Session: 15.55 (30
minutes)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Practice:
16.45PM (30 minutes)
GP3 Practice Session: 17.50PM (30 minutes)
Track Closed: 20.00PM
Saturday:
Gates and Grandstands Open: 6.00AM
GP3 Qualifying Session: 8.45AM (30
minutes)
Formula One Free Practice 3: 10.00AM
(60 minutes)
Porsche Mobil 1 Qualifying: 11.25 (30
minutes)
Formula One Qualifying: 1.00PM (60
minutes)
GP2 Feature Race: 14.40PM (29 laps)
GP3 Race One: 16.20PM (15 laps)
Track Closed: 21.00PM
Sunday:
Gates and Grandstands Open: 6.AM
GP3 Race Two: 8.25AM (15 laps)
GP2 Sprint Race: 9.35AM (21 laps)
Porsche Mobil 1 Race: 10.45AM (12
laps)
Formula One Driver Parade: 11.30AM
Formula One Pit Lane Opens: 12.30PM
Formula One British Grand Prix:
13.00PM (52 laps)
Track Closed: 19.45PM
 |
| (c) Sky Sports F1 |
 |
| (c) BBC Sport |
However one thing that is often overlooked is that you must book your parking via a car park pas or registered for the Park and Ride car parks situated away from the circuit. The latter can be helpful for not only reducing traffic numbers but also to avoid any parking troubles such as the mud-baths that were created last year – it’s Britain so rain is almost certain at some point over the weekend.
 |
| (c) ihg |
- Holiday Inn Milton Keynes – If you are driving to the circuit then Milton Keynes is a very good place to be based. It is just a short drive from the track and has affordable and comfortable rooms in a range of configurations. There are also on site leisure and conference facilities along with a restaurant and bar. It all adds up to make it one of the best hotel’s for the British Grand Prix weekend.
- Holiday Inn Rugby – This new and spacious hotel is a short drive from the circuit, conveniently located near the M1 motorway which passes the track, and close to Northampton where shuttle buses go directly to the Silverstone track. It is a 90 room hotel with all the facilities you will need to chill and get some well-earned rest after a busy day autograph hunting and spectating at the track. It also has a bar, lounge and restaurant which make it great for families.
- Holiday Inn Oxford – The modern and contemporary Oxford Holiday Inn is situated close to the Silverstone circuit and the M40 which is one of the key roads in to the circuit. Staying at the hotel also means a complimentary breakfast to start the day before travelling to the track for qualifying or the race. It has 154 bedrooms which all have access to the free Wi-fi, health club and bar/restaurant.
This article is sponsored by Holiday Inn.
No comments:
Post a Comment