Silverstone GP - any tips?!

[el_pappje]

I'm off to Silverstone on Sunday for the GP, a family treat for daughter's 21st! Never been to the GP before and wondered if anyone who has can share any tips? I believe the access roads have been improved but it'll still be slow getting in.

We're heading from South Manchester so need to work out the ideal time to leave to try and avoid the worst of any queuing. We booked parking when getting the tickets so we're going all the way there rather than using a park and ride venue. I know there's loads going on during the day with earlier feature races etc. so we'll want to make a day of it. We're General Admission so likewise, tips on good places to try for would be much appreciated. On my first look I wondered if between Vale and Stowe was a decent place to be for the main race? With a benefit of being within running distance of the podium ceremony at the end? Or are we best to pick a spot with the best chance of overtaking or drama and not worry about the podium ceremony, and if so, any recommendations?

Any other general tips much appreciated too!

[Mystery]

Ok. I'm not going this year so this is based on prior years experience, and I have no knowledge of this year's plan re the podium.

The roads will be busy but it depends what time you plan to arrive. Last year's Sunday schedule was messed around because of weather the day before but plan what time you arrive. If you want to be there for the F3 at 9:30, you probably want to aim to be in the general vicinity of Northampton-ish about 8 at a guess. Maybe earlier actually because your parking could still leave you a good 20 minute walk to a gate. Probably aim to be there when the gates actually open.

Don't trust Google Maps either. Follow the instructions you've been sent to get you in according to which way you're coming from.

I would actually have said park in Silverstone village using the School parking then walk the half hour to the circuit, but bit late for that now.

Contrary to what you tend to hear, in my opinion, Silverstone is well served for GA locations with good sight lines. There's some GA in front of the Luffield / Woodcote which I quite like. If there's any in front of Becketts that's good too. I haven't watched a race from Vale but it looked good when I was there last year on the Thursday before the pit walk. Also - last year - you had to be in Vale to attend the podium celebration and they limited numbers using wrist bands on entry to the section. The podium has surely got to be a memorable occasion but I've not done it.

Most of the merch shops are repeated around the circuit but best deals are available at the main entrance Superstore next to the Hilton hotel as they'll have sale and outlet type items.

If you want to listen to the circuit commentary then it's on an FM frequency so if you have a standalone radio take that, but the little earpiece ones they sell are pretty robust.

Might think of more later...

[Mystery]

Oh and when leaving. Well... Just don't. Not straight away anyway. Hang around, have a drink. Find a shop. Whatever.

It'll take an age to leave so accept it and avoid a bit of the rush in order to keep tempers and blood pressures down.

[blahblah]

Oh and when leaving. Well... Just don't. Not straight away anyway. Hang around, have a drink. Find a shop. Whatever.

It'll take an age to leave so accept it and avoid a bit of the rush in order to keep tempers and blood pressures down.

Or go half a dozen laps before the end and miss the traffic

[murf]

Not been for over 30 years but used to camp overnight and be at the gates as they open then get you deckchairs in place ASAP.

Was a horrible place to get in and out of in those days

[Dr. Giggles]

Was a horrible place to get in and out of in those days

Still is.

[Mystery]

Yup. Which is why for the F1 we'd park at the school in the village and walk the rest. Still a bit of a pain, but a bit less.

[el_pappje]

Thanks Mystery, that's really useful info. Looks like gates actually open at 630am (don't think we've got fast track access which opens at 6am) so you'd aim to be there for about then? Or when it says "Enclosures open" at 8am is that when you can actually access the GA areas etc.?

https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/fo ... /timetable

I guess the main thing is we want to get there in time to get a decent spot - say we go to Vale/Stowe, do the numbers get capped there so we'd have to get in before it gets full? And once you've got your spot, can you basically head off to do stuff and leave chairs etc in place without one of us needing to stay there at all times? Know it sounds daft but none of us have ever been to a GP before so no idea what the form is!

The email we got also told us to ignore Google maps and instead follow the event signage as soon as it appears, I suspect we'll be coming in the Northampton route.

And yep, we won't rush out and give it a bit of time to clear. I assume that's part of the reason they put on all the extra stuff now, to encourage people to stay around for a while.

[Mystery]

Looks like gates actually open at 630am (don't think we've got fast track access which opens at 6am) so you'd aim to be there for about then?

I would personally yeah.

Or when it says "Enclosures open" at 8am is that when you can actually access the GA areas etc.?

Not sure but I think they mean the non-hospitality enclosures but bear in mind anyway there'll be a queue at the gate, you've got to find your way around the circuit to Vale which could be half the circuit away depending where you come in, and stuff is still open so you can sort FM radios or shop or whatever.

I guess the main thing is we want to get there in time to get a decent spot - say we go to Vale/Stowe, do the numbers get capped there so we'd have to get in before it gets full?

Yes but either last year or the year before when they were doing the wristband to access the podium thing, they only closed it mid to late morning. I see today it seems absolutely rammo in there, even during the F2, which surprised me.

And once you've got your spot, can you basically head off to do stuff and leave chairs etc in place without one of us needing to stay there at all times? Know it sounds daft but none of us have ever been to a GP before so no idea what the form is!

Can't answer that one I'm afraid. The two years we've been we were in grandstands both years.

[el_pappje]

Looks like gates actually open at 630am (don't think we've got fast track access which opens at 6am) so you'd aim to be there for about then?

I would personally yeah.

Or when it says "Enclosures open" at 8am is that when you can actually access the GA areas etc.?

Not sure but I think they mean the non-hospitality enclosures but bear in mind anyway there'll be a queue at the gate, you've got to find your way around the circuit to Vale which could be half the circuit away depending where you come in, and stuff is still open so you can sort FM radios or shop or whatever.

I guess the main thing is we want to get there in time to get a decent spot - say we go to Vale/Stowe, do the numbers get capped there so we'd have to get in before it gets full?

Yes but either last year or the year before when they were doing the wristband to access the podium thing, they only closed it mid to late morning. I see today it seems absolutely rammo in there, even during the F2, which surprised me.

And once you've got your spot, can you basically head off to do stuff and leave chairs etc in place without one of us needing to stay there at all times? Know it sounds daft but none of us have ever been to a GP before so no idea what the form is!

Can't answer that one I'm afraid. The two years we've been we were in grandstands both years.

Thank you!

Slightly cold shivers at the thought of the alarm time needed to set off to get there for 630am If we decided against being in situ for the F3 and so were more relaxed about that, would that change your view on when to get there for?

Funnily enough I've just read that there's an AMEX lounge on the Wellington Straight which is first come first served but not going to pin any hopes on getting into it as I'm sure there'll be lots trying for it and wanting to reserve the session for the main race.

[Mystery]

Thank you!

Slightly cold shivers at the thought of the alarm time needed to set off to get there for 630am If we decided against being in situ for the F3 and so were more relaxed about that, would that change your view on when to get there for?

You won't see this in time of course, but actually I wouldn't really know. So many people seem to get to the grandstands quite late in the day, many just for the F1 only but yesterday seeing the Vale GA bank so busy would make me think it wouldn't help.

[Mystery]

Hope ElP went early. Vale GA bank looks mobbed for the F3