I was thinking of taking my son to the GT championship at Silverstone on Sunday. This is a really basic question but having not been to a race before, does one get visibility of a reasonable stretch of the track from the stands (I guess this is track dependent but at Silverstone? It doesn’t give me an option to select where to sit so I don’t know if there’s just one location) or is it a case of watching the cars fly past, then a few minutes of waiting, then a few seconds of NEEEOOOWWWW… and repeat? If so, then I’m thinking the enjoyment might start wearing thin after a few times of that and the visceral impact wears off.
Any thoughts from the more experienced appreciated!
I used to take the nephews and get general admission tickets, then you can just walk around sit on the grass and watch for a bit, walk somewhere else and watch some more etc etc.
There’s normally plenty of other stuff going on for when they get bored in the central bit and around the outside. Last time we went they had an owners paddock going on and they spent ages drooling over a Veyron and ignoring all the nice Alfas and D types
A few of the stands used to have big screens opposite so you could watch on the screen and wait for the occasional scream past.
Practically, it’s an old bomber base, which means windy and exposed, even in the best of the stands. This can mean sunburn, windburn, chills, soakings, or all 3 in one day!
Food & drink isn’t as insanely priced as it once was, but still very stiffly priced, so I usually take some of both, and top-off if we fancy something hot or whatever. Loos are a lot more plentiful and less squalid compared to the past.
The more prestigious the racing the more limited you’ll be as to where tickets will get you - I’ve been to BTCC and been able to spend the whole day grandstand hopping - but Moto GP and F1 you have a seat in a specific stand and that’s it.
GA is best - take your own camp-chairs, brollies and/or good waterproofs and spend the day exploring the options. It’s a decent walk around the perimeter. Sunnies and suncreen and a hat, bins, portable FM radio… Kitchen sink…
Bit of research will help you choose where to be - it’s nice to spend a bit of time with a view down one of the straights for the sheer speed and racket, but you’ll see more of interest on one of the corner complexes - I usually end-up at Chapel, but everyone has their preferred spots.
What you see of the race as a whole is inferior to telly coverage, but the sense of occasion and atmosphere is a million times better, specially at the bike races.
What ^ those two said, not much to add really, take your time, dont worry about missing stuff, explore, ask others, most will be pleased to talk with you and pass on there knowledge of the track and event.
I think one thing I’d add is don’t be afraid to leave when you’ve had enough.
Well two and a bit years later we finally made it yesterday. Although when I booked I thought I was booking BTCC but actually got the younger brother BRSCC. Didn’t realise there was more than one touring car series.
All your comments above were borne out. It was great being able to walk around the paddocks - we schmoozed with one of the Ginetta teams and they let my kids sit in their car while chatting about how to get into racing, mechanics, etc. which they loved and found a bit inspiring (and then disappointing when I said good luck getting sponsored cos I ain’t got the dough to pay…). We also got to do a grid walk before the main race which was v cool and an unexpected highlight.
In terms of locations, we started at Copse which was ok. We then found Brooklands which was much better. Several cars ran/span off in front of us, and there was a large crash at Woodcote which stopped the race. Fortunately the driver was ok. Think the kids found it simultaneously thrilling and terrifying - the flipping in the air, barrel rolling with parts flying everywhere, etc.
I went to check out Chapel based on @Mrs_Maureen_OPinion 's rec above, but they weren’t using that part of the circuit (it cut short at Maggots and went into Aintree). It looks like a good combo of straight and corners. The one problem I had with Brooklands was you didn’t get that speed and noise. That said, there was a stand which was closed on the link between Maggots and Aintree, which would have been great 'cause you get the speed down from Copse and you’re sitting on the bend of the corner and then you see them go down the Wellington Straight. That probably had the best views of all. We saw it from the ground level on the grassy verge but the height from the stand would have been better. We did however find a sneaky view halfway down the pit straight - it was in one of the buildings on top of the pits - we went up to a balcony where there was no-one there - which gave a great view and all the sound. But then people turned up and kicked us out.
Yup, was a big success. I wasn’t expecting to get so close to the cars/teams, so that was all an added bonus.
I’m keen to go to the British GT which is next at Brands Hatch in Sept. I’ve always loved GT racing. It seems like it’s a bit of a must to sit in the Paddock Hill grandstand for that circuit though?
(They also have GB3, which is similar but different to F3? Confusing how there are so many series…)
