GP Supports

[Les]

Had various friends who went to the GP practice today and two in particular are not very happy.

It seems the centre transfer for tomorrow is a total waste of money. All you can do is walk up the centre road to the cafe and back or go down the infield. You cannot get into the support paddock at all and you cannot hang about just in case someone interesting comes along for the F1 paddock.... and for a mere £30 a person.

I just can't wait for the BTCC to be the support race next year :mad:

[bramble]

F1 has always seemed like a bit of a rip off to me. The BTCC is far better value for money :)

[touring fan]

I think I had the cheapest motorsport day out there yesterday. Didn't buy anything whilst I was there (£10 for a programme and £2.80 for a pint!) and all the grandstands were free. I didn't bother wih centre transfers though. I wouldn't pay for tickets though, I only went because I have an octagon season ticket, it wouldn't have been worth the £45 on the gate price they were charging.

[Paul Rayner]

Have to say, we shouldn't be surprised. Every year people complain about things at the grand prix and every year..... the event is a sell out, or near enough.

Yes, it's too expensive, yes, it'd be great if people could go everywhere, but by now I've just come to expect that from Silverstone and F1. £45 to get in on Friday? Jeez. You know, even if it was only £20 on race day I think I'd rather watch it at home on TV, because the atmosphere when I last went (2001) wasn't anything like what it used to be.

[Alan]

I went yesterday on my Octagon pass, good value for money that!

Didn't need a centre transfer as they seemed to be letting people over there anyway. Mind you, as Les pointed out (I think), apart from a different view of the track the only cars you could get to were the Historics. But that is what I expected anyway. Mind you the sight of an Apache helicopter by the scrutineering bay would be enough to put most potential errants off (is this one of Mr Ecclestones deterrents or a BRDC crowd control method?)

Grandstands were all open AND free. Brilliant - other race series please note - and no there were not loads of spectator marshalls on each grandstand, so that is not an excuse!!!

I don't think the food etc was any more of a rip off generally than TOCA events (although £5 for 6 cookies does seem a bit steep!)

Traffic, according to the radio was not a problem, so why was I sat in a 2 mile plus traffic jam northbound on the A43 (at 8am) ??:(
A phone call sorted that though - up the outside lane, on to the Towcester roundabout, quick 180, back down the A43 and straight in the circuit - there was literally no queue!! Can someone explain that one please?

The qualifying - almost completely pointless, as the weather was so variable. I cannot see the point in it.

[Les]

I had everybodies dream phone call - 'get your a**e down here Les - I have a ticket for you' so I was off like a shot.

Have to say though it was my first GP, it wouldn't really bother me if it was my last. It was a lovely occasion and I thoroughly enjoyed myself but there again I do at a TOCA meeting.

[Alan]

Good for you Les!

You would know how Mr Pinkey did then wouldn't you? (and/or the other chaps from our Porsche Cup series).

Hope the legs are ok.:)

[Les]

uummm well I did just happen to watch the Porsches and Dave in particular ;)
After his problems in qualifying when he had misfires and no power he had to start from the pit lane. God does he have to make life difficult!! By the time he got out of the pits he was between the 2 circuit vehicles at the back of the field!! Any way he had a storming race and finished 17th and in front of a certain Mr Slight (and you know how much that pleases me!)

Patrick Long finished 5th, Barry Horne did very well - I think 7th, Jonathon Cocker hit the fence in front of us, continued for a while but had obviously done some damage. One Britnal had rear end damage but they both finished, Paula Cook was 20th. Sorry but with no access to result sheets and a slight lack of pen and paper or programme I have no idea how Westwood did.

I tell you - those Porsches are driven more like Clios - they were off grass cutting everywhere and a lot of incidents. Very entertaining.

[cos]

Westbrook finished 9th and Horne 14th.

[Les]

cheers mate - any idea where I can find a results list (pm pls no links)

[Claire]

I marshaled at the GP this weekend and even being dressed in orange doesn't give you access to anything more than the general public, if you don't have the right pass they won't let you in. The BTCC supporting next year is good for the championship to get more exposure but we the fans will find it very frustrating to be there but not to have the access we are used to.
I really enjoyed the Porsche race it was good to see our boys doing well, I gave Dave a big round of applause as he came past me at Chapel, he had a great race. Nearly had Robbie Kerr join me on post but he recovered really well to finish just outside the top 10. Glad you enjoyed your day Les.