Help for a Yank in London

Shadow_Catcher · 10 Jan 2003, 14:08 (Ref:470214)

I'm appealing to the U.K. members for information.

Are there any group charters from London to Silverstone for the F1 test 3/11-3/13?

I'm looking for the easiest way to travel from London to Silverstone without a car. I've explored riding the train, but was looking for another alternative. Any information is very much appreciated.

**Peter Mallett** · 10 Jan 2003, 14:14 (Ref:470219)

For us Brits that's 11/3 to 13/3.

josvandeperre · 10 Jan 2003, 14:49 (Ref:470257)

You could try a taxi from Northampton or Milton Keynes otherwise its kind of difficult

RWC · 10 Jan 2003, 15:18 (Ref:470288)

Supposedly the roads are fixed by now,so no multihour traffic jams.Yeah,right.
Hire a motorcycle.Or better still-steal bernies helicopter!
But make sure he's in it when you take off and gone before you land....

josvandeperre · 10 Jan 2003, 15:47 (Ref:470318)

Somehow I do not quite believe the crowds for testing at Silverstone in March will be too bad !

martinparsons · 10 Jan 2003, 16:40 (Ref:470392)

London Euston to Milton Keynes around £15 return on virgin trains, takes about 45 mins. Silverlink trains slower but cheaper. Taxi Milton Keynes to Silverstone £20-30 each way. Much cheaper to rent a car !!!!!!

Shadow_Catcher · 10 Jan 2003, 16:59 (Ref:470405)

Northampton looks to be closer than Milton Keynes. Would that be a cheaper cab ride?

One other question about the return fare. Looking on a few rail websites, I thought it was around 30 pounds. Am I reading something wrong?

Will I have a problem finding a taxi at the track to take us back to the station?

Thank you all for the info.

josvandeperre · 10 Jan 2003, 17:07 (Ref:470416)

No - its just our rail websites make the fares up - different enquiry = different fare - also they rarely show the cheapest

martinparsons · 10 Jan 2003, 17:15 (Ref:470424)

Went to Autosport show at Birmingham yesterday £17 return (booked in advance) Silverlink (also parents took train last October to MK for our silverstone race, that was £13 single, but return prices are about the same as a rule)(http://www.silverlink-trains.com http://www.thetrainline.com), northampton got to be cheaper than Birmingham. Virgin trains always double the price of Silverlink.
As for cab fare from Northampton, not a clue i'm afraid.

Come on everyone out there, i'm sure someone else is going from London to see testing, offer shadow a lift, i'm sure he'll help with the petrol costs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MP

Shadow_Catcher · 10 Jan 2003, 17:45 (Ref:470447)

If someone can provide transportation to and from Silverstone for my wife and I, we would gladly cover petro plus a little pocket money.

12/03/03 is the day that we are looking to travel to the track. We're looking for simple transportation. It's a busy week and I'd like to get to Silverstone with the least amount of problems.

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 10 Jan 2003, 17:49 (Ref:470452)

Could get a national express coach (cheap and easy), to Northampton or Milton Keynes (the might even go to Towcester), and then get a cab. Easyest way I recon. Our trains are

touringcarnut · 10 Jan 2003, 18:59 (Ref:470510)

Its a tough place to get to by any means coming from London. country cabs are a con, that's for sure! they seem to think you want to buy the cab, not get a ride! having said that, it might be your only option...

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 10 Jan 2003, 20:00 (Ref:470551)

Oh and one thing Shadow Catcher. Pick a Soccer (football) team to support whilst your here

. Typical english culture. Also visit your nearest Fish And Chip shop, and get stuck on the M25 in rush hour.

martinparsons · 10 Jan 2003, 20:08 (Ref:470558)

This thread has started me thinking (thats a first!!). Hardly any circuits are easy to get to by train. If i'm doing a full days testing I much prefer to travel by train than face the long and tired journey home on the M1/M6/M11 etc. But I have only ever found Oulton and Croft easy by train (I am fortunate to be London based). Any thoughts on this ??????

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 10 Jan 2003, 20:09 (Ref:470559)

Snetterton is right next to the train tracks but theres not a station for miles. I don't suppose rail track would want to spend money on building a station especialy though would they.

martinparsons · 10 Jan 2003, 20:14 (Ref:470567)

Quote:

Originally posted by Sim_Da_BTCC_Man
Snetterton is right next to the train tracks but theres not a station for miles. I don't suppose rail track would want to spend money on building a station especialy though would they.

About as much chance as there being an F1 race there

MP

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 10 Jan 2003, 20:20 (Ref:470570)

lol ye.

. I don't use the train anyway. To unreliable. You'd proberbly be better off renting a car than using public transport in the UK! OK fair enough its alright in some areas but the whole infostructure of public transport in the UK is appauling.

martinparsons · 10 Jan 2003, 20:28 (Ref:470581)

I agree in total with that. British public transport is dire. But after 8 hours testing at Oulton its much nicer to fall asleep on a virgin train with a can of beer in your hand than fall alseep in the traffic jam on the M6 at Birmingham. (Mind you most of the time its quicker & cheaper to drive awake or asleep).

martinparsons · 10 Jan 2003, 20:32 (Ref:470588)

Quote:

[i](Mind you most of the time its quicker & cheaper to drive awake or asleep). [/B]

I might add that i was doing this in 2000, a return day ticket london to chester was £116 !!!!!!!!!!!!
Fly to Monaco cheaper now.

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 10 Jan 2003, 20:36 (Ref:470595)

exactly. And then you have to cope with delays which are extremely common on british transport.

It would proberbly work out cheaper for out american counterpart here to hire a car for his stay. And that way he will have more freedom aswell and won't have to cope with our poor services (which compared to those in america will proberbly be hell. Just buy a good map, thats the only disadvantage. Would you agree with me?

martinparsons · 10 Jan 2003, 20:44 (Ref:470601)

Total agreement, Silverstone nightmare on public transport, driving from East London its one and half to two hours by car, and so much easier. Last year cost me £70 to get to Silverstone and back in my big old gas drinking yankee van, and that was 90+ all the way there.

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 10 Jan 2003, 20:49 (Ref:470613)

ye. It would proberbly cost you a lot more on public transport. Hiring a car can be cheap and petrol (gas) is already in the tank so it would proberbly work out cheaper.

touringcarnut · 10 Jan 2003, 20:53 (Ref:470619)

Assuming our American friend want to brave our roads, i'd agree that hiring is probably your best bet. The weather around silverstone can be awful, so a car is better than waiting on a very cold platform!

martinparsons · 10 Jan 2003, 20:58 (Ref:470626)

ahhh new thread starting here........where do you shelter near MK or Northampton train stations when its cold..................polite awnsers on a postcard please......rude awnsers on here lol

MP

Tristan · 10 Jan 2003, 20:59 (Ref:470630)

Agreed. Silverstone is in the very EPICENTRE of nowhere. Hire a car from www.easycar.com or summat. From there it's a deady easy blast up the M1.

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