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First time to Grand Prix |
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#26 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Yes, sounds very likely, and also known to Mercedes too with him being their former test driver.
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#27 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
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We have been to a couple of pre-season winter tests in the last couple of years and the noise from the cars in their current format is nothing to be afraid of.
We also go the the Silverstone Classic where they race Cosworth DFV engined V8 screamers and demonstrate some 3.5 litre V10's. Now they really wail ! |
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#28 |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Burton upon Trent
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Been to Silverstone many times, but would rather spend the money going elsewhere. Unless you've got grandstand tickets it's a case of beating people to the best places to sit and even then you'll only see a tiny part of it in the flesh, the rest is watching on screens.
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#29 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Buckingham
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Remember to record the TV coverage so you can find out what actually happened when you get back home. And take an FM radio so you can listen to the on-track commentary from Radio Silverstone using an earpiece as the on site speakers tend to get drowned out.
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#30 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
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Been to Silverstone many times, but would rather spend the money going elsewhere. Unless you've got grandstand tickets it's a case of beating people to the best places to sit and even then you'll only see a tiny part of it in the flesh, the rest is watching on screens.
![]() Yes, lucky to have Grandstand tickets, so hopefully will be Ok. Even if I never go again, I wanted to go at least once. |
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#31 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
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Remember to record the TV coverage so you can find out what actually happened when you get back home. And take an FM radio so you can listen to the on-track commentary from Radio Silverstone using an earpiece as the on site speakers tend to get drowned out.
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#32 |
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Join Date: Feb 2004
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I was at Silverstone in 1986, days of the turbochargers, Prost, Senna etc. Great weekend out, but got absolutely soaked. A raincoat is advisable. If you are going by car, take a tow-rope also.
Wasn't funny being in a Ford Cortina that got stuck, then blew the engine on the M1 on the way home. |
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#33 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
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I was at Silverstone in 1986, days of the turbochargers, Prost, Senna etc. Great weekend out, but got absolutely soaked. A raincoat is advisable. If you are going by car, take a tow-rope also.
Wasn't funny being in a Ford Cortina that got stuck, then blew the engine on the M1 on the way home.
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#34 |
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Join Date: Dec 2005
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Oh please don't put me off, I'm really looking forward to it
![]() Yes, lucky to have Grandstand tickets, so hopefully will be Ok. Even if I never go again, I wanted to go at least once. As for earplugs, they're a must if you value your hearing. Race day usually has other stuff going on, eg in Australia, they had 'touring cars', or Holdens with big engines and lots of bass. Then the F1's that sounded like a cross between a dentist drill and a jackhammer. It's quite a show though. But as others have said, pack a mac in case of rain, and maybe something to sit on. |
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#35 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
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Give yourself plenty of time to get there! Traffic tends to be.. a bit of a mare.
As for earplugs, they're a must if you value your hearing. Race day usually has other stuff going on, eg in Australia, they had 'touring cars', or Holdens with big engines and lots of bass. Then the F1's that sounded like a cross between a dentist drill and a jackhammer. It's quite a show though. But as others have said, pack a mac in case of rain, and maybe something to sit on. |
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#36 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,040
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I've been several times and never found the traffic to be that bad. The park and ride service they run is very good. Depending on which direction you're approaching from you can go to a site where they have dozens of buses regularly going to and from the track on priority routes. They're well worth doing instead of paying the £50 to park on the day (I think I arrived at about 7am race day at the bus and was at the track by 8). Last year I was back home in Oxford 90 mins after the race finished.
There are plenty of other things happening on track on race day too with support races, demonstrations and (usually) the red arrows. The gaps in between some of those items are long enough that you can go and get refreshments or stretch your legs. The programme is often a bit pricey (£20ish) but it's very glossy with all the driver and team profiles etc so worth picking up. The merchandise stands are quite expensive but if you're only there the once it might be worth picking up a cap (£25ish) or something as a souvenir. Enjoy the day. It's really good fun, lots to see and the racing is usually exciting. |
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#37 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
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I've been several times and never found the traffic to be that bad. The park and ride service they run is very good. Depending on which direction you're approaching from you can go to a site where they have dozens of buses regularly going to and from the track on priority routes. They're well worth doing instead of paying the £50 to park on the day (I think I arrived at about 7am race day at the bus and was at the track by 8). Last year I was back home in Oxford 90 mins after the race finished.
There are plenty of other things happening on track on race day too with support races, demonstrations and (usually) the red arrows. The gaps in between some of those items are long enough that you can go and get refreshments or stretch your legs. The programme is often a bit pricey (£20ish) but it's very glossy with all the driver and team profiles etc so worth picking up. The merchandise stands are quite expensive but if you're only there the once it might be worth picking up a cap (£25ish) or something as a souvenir. Enjoy the day. It's really good fun, lots to see and the racing is usually exciting. |
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#38 |
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Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 2,004
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Take a pocket radio with headphones- it's very difficult to keep up with what's going on in the race when you're sat in the grandstand- There is commentary via the PA, but it gets lost in the noise. Radio Silverstone (87.7) usually relay the PA commentary, otherwise you could listen to 5 Live.
Catering is greasy and fairgroundy- just the way I like it
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#39 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,662
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Go to the Lord Mayor's Show instead...that's a proper procession
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#40 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,222
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In terms of noise, I believe there is a decibel limit on the track now so the cars aren't as loud as they used to be. |
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#41 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7,222
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Been to Silverstone many times, but would rather spend the money going elsewhere. Unless you've got grandstand tickets it's a case of beating people to the best places to sit and even then you'll only see a tiny part of it in the flesh, the rest is watching on screens.
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#42 |
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Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 2,004
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Take a pocket radio with headphones- it's very difficult to keep up with what's going on in the race when you're sat in the grandstand- There is commentary via the PA, but it gets lost in the noise. Radio Silverstone (87.7) usually relay the PA commentary, otherwise you could listen to 5 Live.
Quote:
Remember to record the TV coverage so you can find out what actually happened when you get back home. And take an FM radio so you can listen to the on-track commentary from Radio Silverstone using an earpiece as the on site speakers tend to get drowned out.
, so what he said
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#43 |
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,427
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Jennifer you'll have a great time. You can get earplugs or defenders at the circuit too. The cars are much quieter than when I last went in the 90's. They will be a bit louder next year than they have been this year but still much quieter than in the past. Back in the day when you had 26 cars all at high revs waiting for the green light it made your insides vibrate. Watch this with the volume up and you'll get some idea of what to expect next year. https://youtu.be/ku-XdsEkFX8
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#44 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,520
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The only reason I'm considering going to the British GP anytime soon is because I'm a Lewis Hamilton fan and want to see him race at the British GP while he's still in the sport and competitive.
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#45 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
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Jennifer you'll have a great time. You can get earplugs or defenders at the circuit too. The cars are much quieter than when I last went in the 90's. They will be a bit louder next year than they have been this year but still much quieter than in the past. Back in the day when you had 26 cars all at high revs waiting for the green light it made your insides vibrate. Watch this with the volume up and you'll get some idea of what to expect next year. https://youtu.be/ku-XdsEkFX8
Thank you for all your replies, they have been really helpful. |
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#46 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Essex
Posts: 16,218
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Thank you so much. I expect we may buy the earplugs and defenders at the track then I'll know we'll get something suitable..
Also I would suggest trying different earplug, different ones suit different people. You can get a sample packs containing 10 or so different types from amazon or ebay for £3 to £4 to see which are going to suit you best. |
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#47 |
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,684
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I went to a BRM display in Bourne a few years ago, when cars were racing through the narrow streets producing decibel levels that could cause permanent hearing damage. Incredibly, there were several idiot mothers with babies in prams, subjecting them to the the kind of volume levels which could have ruined their hearing for life. I'd wear the kind of protectors that are issued to tractor drivers.
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#48 |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,406
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Dont forget thigh high wellies and travel there by hovercraft
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#49 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1,949
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Thank you so much. I expect we may buy the earplugs and defenders at the track then I'll know we'll get something suitable. I absolutely love all motor sport and cars, fast and antique, but the OH doesn't so its been quite a struggle to get him to go. I was born and bred on F1, boxing and Manchester United ....not really girly I know ! So looking forward to the GP,
Thank you for all your replies, they have been really helpful. It's been a while since I've been to a race meet - enjoy! |
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, so what he said