Ok boys & girls, here's the trip:
Friday, 28th June 2013
Practice Day at Silverstone for the F1 Grand Prix
General Admission tickets
cost £49.00 each (Adult inc Early Bird discount)
QuoteGeneral admission - key areas
International Pits Straight - You can now see the start/finish line! The GA area is to the left hand side of the grandstand and stretches in front of Abbey grandstand. Get here early to secure one of the best GA views.
Hangar Straight - See the cars at top speed as they slipstream each other on the approach to Stowe
Stowe - The fast right-hander at Stowe is a spectacular place to watch. The speed that the drivers carry through here is truly breathtaking.
Luffield - The cars enter the Luffield Complex from Wellington Straight, it's then hard on the brakes as they navigate Luffield's famous curves. The cars are in view for a prolonged period of time, allowing you to soak up all the breathtaking noise and atmosphere. This area has been improved so that you can get even closer to the track action at Brooklands Corner.
Becketts - The very high speed direction changes will take huge determination from the drivers as they thunder through this classic section. Becketts offers views of the fast Maggots-Becketts complex and out towards Chapel.
Vale - Vale is a fast, downhill straight that follows on from the high speed Stowe Corner and into the last corner, Club.
Copse Corner - A fast entry with plenty of run off on the exit, Copse offers a great view of a very challenging corner for the drivers.
Ticket Details
The General Admission areas allow you the freedom to change location throughout the day. Increased General Admission capacity and new raised areas mean that there will be more space and improved views for spectators. General Admission areas include, International Pits Straight, Hangar Straight, Becketts, Vale, Stowe and Luffield corners as well as the new double-left at Village.
The perimeter fencing has also been moved so that you can get closer to the action.
*Please note that a Friday General Admission ticket gives you access to any of the grandstands for the day.
The Plan:We're going to spend a day there and wander around to see different parts of the track and see the 2 x 90 minute F1 practice sessions (Free Practice 1 & Free Practice 2) along with whatever else they add to the agenda to fill the circuit day.
Depending on numbers we'll either drive there or use the Park & Ride (booked when we buy the tickets - you get 1 parking space per 5 tickets bought, ie 1 parking space for 2-5 tickets, 2 parking spaces for 6-10 tickets bought).
When we're in the circuit you can also rent the hand-held TVs (highly recommended).
This is an ideal taster day for anyone who has not experienced F1 before. If you are interested then shout here so we can get an idea of numbers. I'll be buying my tickets this weekend along with a parking spot or park & ride depending on how many are going to meet up at my place en route, so this is a short notice BUY NOW whilst stocks last offer!
Confirmed AttendingTealeaf
Oldbloke
smilodon
[/table]
More info at the Silverstone website:
http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/2013-Formula-1-British-Grand-Prix/?tab=Book-now&ticketType=49978#ticket
NOTE:......and remember, this is the last year to HEAR the F1 cars as they currently sound. Currently F1 cars pack a naturally-aspirated 2.4 litre V8, but from 2014 the new regulations will mean they run smaller (and punnier-sounding) turbo-charged 1.6 litre V6 engines.
F1 cars will NOT sound the same in 2014, so get to the Grand Prix in 2013!!
YAY! :yahoo:
I'm going to see if the missus is interested, but I'm certainly up for this.
A work colleague is coming. Already bought his ticket.
If you're going for a stand I would go for Woodcote B. I went there in 2011 and you can see the finishing of passes from the DRS zone (though not in free practice), a complex series of curves and the very end of passes down the old pit straight. It seemed to have everything. The general admittance area there is pretty good too (Luffield). There's a screen that's visible although hard to make out so you can watch the times, though to kangaroo TV or whatever it's called now are really useful.
For my money you can't beat cars cornering after a long straight, you get the full package, the engine roar, the deceleration and the downforce these things have doing corners impossibly quickly.
I'm tempted by the trip but I'm not committing to anything financially at the moment since my PhD funding runs out in March and I've not got a job lined up afterwards. If I do get a job or have some cash left over come GP time I'm tempted to go once more next year so might see you guys there. All depends on the job market in a few months and whether I finish on time etc etc.
Quote from: OldBloke;363443A work colleague is coming. Already bought his ticket.
Yep, bought ours and a car parking pass for the Friday too.
Sounds good. I will have a word at home to see if i can make it, I went qualifying this year, Had a great day out.
Let us know if you buy a ticket, we're a group of 3 at the moment but looking forward to having a great day!
Early Bird saving still available, buy now and let's get a decent group up there!
I've heard from one of my contacts that a friend of a friend marshals this race and so might have a free ticket I could grab. If that's the case I could go to this too. A long shot but I'm being optimistic.
was going to book this week, but it appears that i may be moving again, (its on promotion so i aint going to turn it down) so looks like i cant make it soz
Anyone going to be around on Friday at Silverstone?
We have a corporate box there and I have managed to wangle my way into what should be a sales only event =) so I hopefully will be about on Friday. No luck on Saturday and Sunday though as us Techie consultants just get the leftovers =(.
Let me know if you are about.
DZ
Quote from: DrunkenZombiee;372179Anyone going to be around on Friday at Silverstone?
We have a corporate box there and I have managed to wangle my way into what should be a sales only event =) so I hopefully will be about on Friday. No luck on Saturday and Sunday though as us Techie consultants just get the leftovers =(.
Let me know if you are about.
DZ
Yeah, I'll be there for the whole thing. Heading there Thursday morning with the aforementioned marshal. The ticket gives me access to some dedicated marshal areas the public can't get into, but I'm not sure I can get into the bit where the public can. If anyone wants my mobile number just in case, you can add me on Google+ (Name: Tim Mortensen, or User mortensent [at] gmail [dot] com), I'll circle you and you'll be able to see my mobile number. Alternatively just send me an email to that gmail address and I'll send my number.
Quote from: DrunkenZombiee;372179Anyone going to be around on Friday at Silverstone?
Let me know if you are about.
DZ
Oldie, me and Smilo will be there on Fri. I'll be back there on the Sat with my son too.
You're already in a Circle of mine, you need to add me to a Circle as I can't see the number!
Heading up early tomorrow so will give you a text when I am about =).
DZ.
Oldie, Smilodon & TL now safely at the circuit and sat in Luffield B for the first session of F1 practice!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Nurse! Oldie appears to have had another accident :(
Sent from my Galaxy S3 LTE.
Two Cheshire cats sat next to me as Oldbloke & Smilodon hear their first F1 car!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Looks like it was a good job you booked :flirty:
Have fun y'all.
Quote from: TeaLeaf;372298Oldie, Smilodon & TL now safely at the circuit and sat in Luffield B for the first session of F1 practice!
Jeez Oldie, you look worse than I feel, or was it constipation? :norty:
have a great day all.
[YOUTUBEHD]btTiXf-NgCo[/YOUTUBEHD]
A little media from an amazing day out.
Great day despite the wet weather in the morning leading to only 10 minutes total running.
Good solid running in the afternoon session with almost constant track presence from the majority of teams.
Thanks to Sky Sports for the coverage.
Best moment, Oldie's reaction to the sound of an F1 car going past him for the first time. Priceless!
savoir it! wish I was there :(
And I'm back again today buy this time with my son. Nice view of the pits and the start finish straight! Nice and dry today too!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Wear your ear plugs. I still can't hear properly this morning :doh:
He heard the first F3 cars go past and immediately reached for them! F1 will shock him!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Don't forget the donuts :)
How were the queues this morning? As easy as yesterday I hope.
Quote from: Penfold;372301Looks like it was a good job you booked :flirty:
Have fun y'all.
getting there early was a smart move by TL
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2216[/ATTACH]
Motor sport photography. So I turned my considerable skills to trying out F1 photography, I mean how hard can it be to photograph a car? Here are some early edits with frankly stunning results. More to follow
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2217[/ATTACH]
Alonso in his Ferrari. Or is that Massa?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2218[/ATTACH]
Probably Charles Pic in his Caterham, it's definitely a Caterham.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2219[/ATTACH]
Someone in a McLaren... I think?
Still there's a few more pics to look through....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2220[/ATTACH]
Great fun was had on both days. Yesterday's funniest moment never made it to TV. The TV feed is shown on multiple large screens opposite the stands, so everyone can see what is being broadcast:
- TV focuses on Button in his pit, preparing to don helmet and jump into his car
- his engineer prods him to let him know he's on the big screens
- Button runs across pit lane, up onto the pit wall and sticks his head through the barrier and waves at the crowds in the stands
- 40,000 people in the the home straight stands give him a huge 'British' welcome and cheer loudly for him!
....one minute later:
- TV focuses on Hamilton in his pit, preparing to don helmet and jump into his car
- his engineer prods him to let him know he's on the big screens
- Hamilton runs across pit lane, up onto the pit wall and sticks his head through the barrier and waves at the crowds in the stands
- 40,000 people in the the home straight stands give him a huge 'British' welcome and cheer loudly for him!
....one minute later:
- TV focuses on Vettel in his pit, preparing to don helmet and jump into his car
- 40,000 people in the the home straight stands spontaneously starting booing!
- Vettel hesitates slightly when he hears the negative crowd reaction and turns back and dons his helmet
Priceless moment.
Biggest cheer of the day was when Hamilton was last across the line in Qualifying and pipped Rosberg to snatch pole. massive cheer from the crowds all around the circuit.
Awesome view from Abbey on Saturday as the cars come along the start-finish straight and then go into an 80 degree righthander without braking or down-shifting. Stunning levels of grip on display. Unfortunately the video really does not really give you any idea of how much speed these cars carry through the corner - or how tight that corner is, from the stands it looks way more extreme. With apologies for the unsteady hands, here's a quick clip of the cars coming through Abbey during Qualifying.
Anyone know a good place to get tyres?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Tried ringing you all and just got voicemail =(. I was keeping an eye out for Tim somewhere around the track but no luck =(.
It was a good day but a bit of a washout in the morning. Huddled under a plastic poncho for first practice trying not to get too wet or the camera wet.
I got a fair few photos, I think I managed to get all of the cars and drivers at some point. I haven't got all of them on the computer yet so these will have to do for now.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2227[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2233[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2232[/ATTACH]
[SPOILER=Camera boring stuff]
So I turned up and took my camera aging 550D and crappy 70-300 Tamron f4-5.6 Di VC and one of my colleagues pull out a 5D MK II with a 70-200 L 2.8 and I had all kinds of camera envy. So after first practice where it was a washout (I was taking a couple of pictures under a plastic poncho as none of my gear is weather sealed) we go back to the hotel to get free booze and food where he get out his camera gear and shows me photos. 200 mm wasn't enough and the cars were pretty small in the frame I show him mine taken at 300mm and a 1.6 crop and got some pretty nice results 80% of the car in the frame and alright detail.
We go out for the second practice. This time a lot more people about. 200mm still isn't good enough for time so he asks to use my 300mm and i can use his 70-200L ... good trade =).
The lens almost broke my camera body when i connected it as the plasic creaked under the 1.2 KG beast.. Got some pretty nice shots at 200mm with it at f/4, it focuses like lightening, I really want one if not for the £1500 price tag and it weighing a tonne. Cropped sensors FTW!
Looking forward to the 7D MK II coming out as it may be worth the investment. For now the 550D will do =).
[/SPOILER]
Nice shots DZ! :thumbsup:
The telephone side seemed a bit dodgy tbh, T-Bag had similar issues with intermittent service, as did I. Sometimes my F1 app connected, other times it just plain refused to connect. Network saturation I suspect.
The phone issues were terrible on Friday. I tried sending a message about 4 times before one got through. My internet wasn't working at all and just drained my battery, it was on 12% by the evening. I turned mobile data off the following day and it fared a little better.
I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. It's a shame I didn't meet anyone though. When my girlfriend and I went up to Becketts we tried our luck getting into the Club Silverstone section (the exclusive bit where tickets are around £380), and they let us in, so had a stunning view for the free practice. Because the ticket sales were so poor as well the guest of marshals got bumped up to uncovered grandstands, which got us into the international straight stands for Saturday (we were right at the opposite end to you TL).
The race was fantastic. As a Hamilton fan, I didn't like the tyre problems, but racing from the back gave him an opportunity to show what a great driver he is. I was also opposite the pit lane entrance so got to see vettel breakdown. I did give a little cheer as I heard him struggle to find a gear (didn't go so far as to boo him though).
The whole event was fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm moving to Paris tomorrow, so I'm not sure when I'll next be able to game etc etc. But it was the best way I can think of to spend my late weekend in the UK.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2247[/ATTACH]
Nico Rosberg, morning practice.... very wet.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2248[/ATTACH]
GP2 - Fabrizio Crestani GP Lazarus.
The whole track a car as it drives past to get a sharp subject with nice background blur..... not remotely as easy as it looks.
Quote from: TeaLeaf;372317Best moment, Oldie's reaction to the sound of an F1 car going past him for the first time. Priceless!
So glad we did the trip to Silverstone last year and got rid of the 'F1 virgin' tag for OB & Smilo. The cars simply do *not* sound as exciting this year :sad:
Seen so much TV coverage with cars running on track and the presenter stood next to the crash barrier happily talking to us without the need to use earplugs and without the need to shout. It's simply not the same.
Has anyone actually seen Vetal do a praccy lap so far???