2010 British GP volunteering

[alexhall]

Originally Posted by uncle tom

I have been selected to marshal due to the new Arena section being added

Me too. Letter through the post today. My first GP in my third full year of marshalling. Happy days. Reply by 21st May.

[Asp]

Likewise here!
However, I was on the verge of committing to attend in green instead. Time for a quick decision I thinks.

[speedy jon]

nice one bet your well chuffed.

on the subject of the Bgp, when do we find out which post we are on?

[Hepatic]

tickets (well, wristbands), sign on details etc all come out about 2 weeks before the event. you will be given all the details you need then including the post you have been allocated to.

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by uncle tom

I have been selected to marshal due to the new Arena section being added

Congrats - If I knew then what I know now about the extra bit of circuit, I might just have applied - I was just under the minimum requirements for application, but with the extras now required, I may just have scraped it.

Oh well - next year.....

[Irvine6]

I have also had a letter today saying im in because of the new layout Cant wait should be good

[Steven Humphrey]

Me too! Can't wait

[garybirch]

Yep, me too! Thanks all those involved **You know who you are**:-)

[Richard Duvall]

I've also had a late invitation to attend due to the new layout. This will be my first GP and I need to make appropriate arrangements to be there and could do with a bit of advice from the old hands!

I do own a tent but haven't camped in years, but I'm assuming that it camping is the best solution as travelling daily from a nearby hotel or otherwise would be bad news. A few questions:

1. What catering facilities are there for evening meals? I've no problem in cooking but storing food for 3 days could be a problem.
2. Are showers etc available?
3. Do we park at the campsite?
4. Are lunches provided? If not how can you knock up your own pack lunch when you're camping for 3 days?
5. I presume it's best to arrive at the campsite on the Thursday evening.

[uncle tom]

Originally Posted by Richard Duvall

I've also had a late invitation to attend due to the new layout. This will be my first GP and I need to make appropriate arrangements to be there and could do with a bit of advice from the old hands!

I do own a tent but haven't camped in years, but I'm assuming that it camping is the best solution as travelling daily from a nearby hotel or otherwise would be bad news. A few questions:

1. What catering facilities are there for evening meals? I've no problem in cooking but storing food for 3 days could be a problem.
2. Are showers etc available?
3. Do we park at the campsite?
4. Are lunches provided? If not how can you knock up your own pack lunch when you're camping for 3 days?
5. I presume it's best to arrive at the campsite on the Thursday evening.

1 There will be a burger bar on the campsite or you could go to the village where you will find pubs that sell food
2 Yes
3 Yes on your camping area
4 No but there is a small shop on the campsite or again you could buy from the village shop the evening before
5 You can arrive from the Wednesday onwards

[mattt]

Also most sign on is done on the Thursday Evening

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by Richard Duvall

I've also had a late invitation to attend due to the new layout. This will be my first GP and I need to make appropriate arrangements to be there and could do with a bit of advice from the old hands!

I do own a tent but haven't camped in years, but I'm assuming that it camping is the best solution as travelling daily from a nearby hotel or otherwise would be bad news. A few questions:

1. What catering facilities are there for evening meals? I've no problem in cooking but storing food for 3 days could be a problem.
2. Are showers etc available?
3. Do we park at the campsite?
4. Are lunches provided? If not how can you knock up your own pack lunch when you're camping for 3 days?
5. I presume it's best to arrive at the campsite on the Thursday evening.

Camping is the best solution, you'll struggle to find hotel accommodation at this stage.

1. There is a burger and a chip wagon. There is also a mobile shop with tea, coffee etc. They used to bring products from the butcher but I'm not sure the butcher is still open.

2. Yes there will be showers provided (remember to check that the one you are in is hot before getting naked!)
3. Yes, usually but sometimes in the car park adjacent to the campsite.
4. No, bread and rolls will last for a good few days as will sandwich spreads, corned beef, jam etc. You may find some kind soul with a camping fridge who will look after your butter/milk etc.
5. You have to arrive in time to sign on and be briefed on Thursday, presumably you're a flaggie? Someone should be able to confirm the usual briefing time for flags.

[focuszetec]

I got my letter today as well!!!

[dazbaz_99]

Me too, hasn't quite sunk in yet!! Will be my first GP

I have one question as a newbie to GP's.

I live locally and coming from the Buckingham side of the circuit I have rarely had traffic problems as a spectator at GP weekends. Anyone here think it would be possible to commute for all 3 days? I know this will involve some seriously early mornings probably, but I am wondering whether I could easily get into the circuit. Where would I park my car etc, as I wont be based on the campsite.

Any info appreciated.

[mattt]

I would presume you would be parking on the car park adjacent to the campsite that was referred to earlier

[Piglet]

You'll get issued a pass to get you to the campsite even if you haven't said yes to camping, you'll either be parked down the inside hedge or in the adjacent car park - some of it depends on the ground conditions at the time.

As for traffic, it's a difficult one, as long as things work well, you should be able to commute in OK as long as you leave plenty of time and nothing goes badly wrong on the roads.

You need to get to the Winterhills (is that the right name?) entrance (from Silverstone village) to the campsite - that's the only entrance you can use - and you'd need to be sure you knew what one way systems were in force.

Personally, I'd think about camping on the Saturday night/Sunday morning as that's likely to be the worst day for traffic. So say yes to a camping pitch but then only use it for the one night.

We also plan not to leave immediately at the end of Sunday, getting out on Sunday night is a nightmare, there are invariably accidents which stop the traffic. We plan to return the campsite, eat, finish packing and head off when the traffic has died down, usually sometime around 8pm. It saves the stress of sitting in a long queue that is going nowhere for hours!

Edited to add, actually I think we're planning to stay until Monday again this year....

[Guinness2702]

Could anybody PM me the marshals contact email address, plz, as I'd like to get in touch with them.

Thanks,
Steve.

[PieMan]

Originally Posted by dazbaz_99

I live locally and coming from the Buckingham side of the circuit I have rarely had traffic problems as a spectator at GP weekends. Anyone here think it would be possible to commute for all 3 days? I know this will involve some seriously early mornings probably, but I am wondering whether I could easily get into the circuit. Where would I park my car etc, as I wont be based on the campsite.

Any info appreciated.

Welcome newbies.

I've tried all three options (camp site, staying nearby and commuting from home - 45 mins) over the years and wouldn't rule any of them out. They each have their advantages and disadvantages, many of which have already been mentioned, so you need to chose what suits you.

Parking is usually adjacent to the camping field and at the times we marshals arrive and depart the traffic isn't too bad. Sunday evening is the worst but that applies to all three options unless you're camping and able to stay over until Monday. Stay for the concert (if there is one this year) and, for Buckingham, try and join the queue heading round the outside of Copse that takes you along the farm tracks and out onto the Towcester to Buckingham road near Whittlebury. As the marshals campsite and parking is in the fields closest to the circuit then we have to accept that we are automatically at the back of the queue to leave, especially if it's the one down the lane to the village (past all the public sites).

Yes, it's an early start if you aren't on the campsite but not that much earlier (depending on how noisy your neighbours are). You'll probably have slept better in your own bed and need less time for bathroom and breakfast. On the other hand you'll miss out on the atmosphere and social side, especially if you are camping with people you know.

The compromise? - if you're not too far from the circuit then invite some marshalling or spectating friends to stay at your place.

[Osidia]

Originally Posted by dazbaz_99

Me too, hasn't quite sunk in yet!! Will be my first GP

I have one question as a newbie to GP's.

I live locally and coming from the Buckingham side of the circuit I have rarely had traffic problems as a spectator at GP weekends. Anyone here think it would be possible to commute for all 3 days? I know this will involve some seriously early mornings probably, but I am wondering whether I could easily get into the circuit. Where would I park my car etc, as I wont be based on the campsite.

Any info appreciated.

If you go on and do another 20 GPs the first one is still the one you will remember most so enjoy !

I have travelled in from Milton Keynes each day for the last few GPs and it has never been a problem, just leave early. What I would say is take the road from Buckingham that takes you past Whittlebury rather than the Stowe road. Getting out afterwards is always a problem, lets hope that England get to the world cup final so that everyone will stay behind to watch it on the big screens.

[dazbaz_99]

I think I am going to commute. I am also a member of the Silverstone Racing Club. So in theory I can use their car park for the weekend rather than the campsites, which would be easier to reach from the Buckingham end,as you enter the circuit down at the gate by Club.

People with previous GP's under their belts, what sort of times are we expected to sign on/be on post for? Is it alot earlier than a normal FIA meeting.

Apologies for all these questions!

[Hepatic]

Its natural to be curious about an F1 meeting and to ask all these questions, we've all done it All the details including times will be in the instructions you get before the event, but its normally an early start (can't remember how early tho). I don't tend to sleep in much during the GP weekend as the PA starts up quite early...!

I am also a member of the Silverstone Racing Club. So in theory I can use their car park for the weekend rather than the campsites

is that on the infield by any chance? if so then i doubt you'll have the use of it as infield is reserved for all the really important people, unless marshals are posted to an infield area (eg. Farm) then its unlkely you'll get access.

[dazbaz_99]

Originally Posted by Hepatic

is that on the infield by any chance? if so then i doubt you'll have the use of it as infield is reserved for all the really important people, unless marshals are posted to an infield area (eg. Farm) then its unlkely you'll get access.

No, its located on the outside next to the large phonemast near woodcote. I have used it in the past when spectating at the GP.

[Woolley]

Just a personal observation, which might be of interest to newbies. In my experience, the best part of the GP is the campsite cameraderie, the worst part is the actual event. I'd consider attending a GP marshals' social event without a the GP, but not the other way around! I'd honestly suggest that if you commute, you're missing out much of the experience of being a Grand Prix marshal.

[FRENCHIE44T]

I have marshaled GP's before at Silverstone many times but have always commuted. If I camp, with tent, will I be able to drive my car out of the campsite and back in to my tent if I want to????? Or is it so tightly packed to get everyone in that you cant get out once your in??

[Roger Lovelock]

Originally Posted by FRENCHIE44T

I have marshaled GP's before at Silverstone many times but have always commuted. If I camp, with tent, will I be able to drive my car out of the campsite and back in to my tent if I want to????? Or is it so tightly packed to get everyone in that you cant get out once your in??

You can come and go quite easily by car as the pitches are marked out with roadways up and across the campsite