Silverstone redevelopment 2010

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by Flat12-Aircool

Totally changed the character of this section, complete vandalism IMO...

Needed sorting out before someone else got killed really, only barrier i have ever though actually needed moving back.

[mark_l]

Complete vandalism!, The track on the current pits straight has been made to look so narrow by the new gravel traps that I fear this may cause more accidents.

They have put these ridiculously sized traps opposite the current pits, I wonder if they will do the same opposite the new pits on the club straight, maybe this has been done so that Bernie cannot see the 'Great Unwashed' (paying public) from his hospitality box.

As for the new Arena section shown on the video, I can see this generating little or no overtaking as it appears to be just one niggly bend after another.

Are the BRDC intent on the circuit covering 3 counties instead of 2?

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by mark_l

As for the new Arena section shown on the video, I can see this generating little or no overtaking as it appears to be just one niggly bend after another.

I'm also a bit unimpressed with that section, I know cars will perhaps be a bit faster through it than the bike videos on YouTube, but why didn't they open up the entry to it a bit more?

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Complete vandalism!, The track on the current pits straight has been made to look so narrow by the new gravel traps that I fear this may cause more accidents.

They have put these ridiculously sized traps opposite the current pits, I wonder if they will do the same opposite the new pits on the club straight, maybe this has been done so that Bernie cannot see the 'Great Unwashed' (paying public) from his hospitality box.

As for the new Arena section shown on the video, I can see this generating little or no overtaking as it appears to be just one niggly bend after another.

Are the BRDC intent on the circuit covering 3 counties instead of 2?

Mark as with Brands Hatch, these "beaches" are put in at the requst of WSB and Moto, GP to try and stop riderless bikes bouncing too high. The new pits on Club straight, I have been told, will be for F1 only so, hopefully, there will not be any need for any more beaches.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by White flag man

Mark as with Brands Hatch, these "beaches" are put in at the requst of WSB and Moto, GP to try and stop riderless bikes bouncing too high. The new pits on Club straight, I have been told, will be for F1 only so, hopefully, there will not be any need for any more beaches.

But that's already happened as noted by pictures earlier in this thread, the spectator banking on the outside of Club has been trimmed back a little further. So much so that there's not much space between an access road and the new fence positions.

As for riderless bikes bouncing too high, well why not just build taller fences and keep people closer to the action. We're all viewing through fences most of the time anyway.

[The STIG]

Originally Posted by Flat12-Aircool

As for riderless bikes bouncing too high, well why not just build taller fences and keep people closer to the action. We're all viewing through fences most of the time anyway.

I should think the effect of a large amount of weight hitting something quite high up would mean that the structure would have to be quite substantial, moreso than the existing fences. Otherwise there's a risk that something heavy hitting high up could bend or break the fence.

[MattGreen]

[QUOTE=Flat12-Aircool;2666894]Totally changed the character of this section, complete vandalism IMO...

You have to remember that the pits are going to be relocated to a new complex, so I guess there is no need to have things as they were. Moreover, when silverstone lost the F1 race, they had just signed up the Moto GP, and that requires the extra run-off area which you can see in the picture.

[MattGreen]

Originally Posted by Flat12-Aircool

But that's already happened as noted by pictures earlier in this thread, the spectator banking on the outside of Club has been trimmed back a little further. So much so that there's not much space between an access road and the new fence positions.

As for riderless bikes bouncing too high, well why not just build taller fences and keep people closer to the action. We're all viewing through fences most of the time anyway.

I think the issue was/is the proximity of the old wall/run-off to the track. Moto GP hasn't been back to suzuka for years after kato went into a wall and died. Thus, I guess they had to widen the areas for gravel traps to ensure that the riders do not hit anything too close. Sadly for some, this comes at the expense of close spectator viewing areas.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Well this is all very well giving excuses as to why Silverstone is being carved up. But the end result is that the Spectators will feel even more detached from the action. Who's going to keep paying £100+ for a race you can barely see?

I imagine most of this years British GP tickets have now already been sold, but I predict that next year the attendance will be down from this year after many will see what poor value for money they will be getting.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Flat12-Aircool

I imagine most of this years British GP tickets have now already been sold, but I predict that next year the attendance will be down from this year after many will see what poor value for money they will be getting.

I'm not so sure about that. It's hardly been value for money for the last 10 years and they've had no problems selling ticket. The corporate hospitality market care more about the catering than the grandstand view, the general admission crowd aren't in a grandstand so won't be effected.

It's really only the start-line grandstands that are being moved back, and once the new pitlane and start-line are built these will no longer be premium seats anyhow. I expect there will be new grandstands built opposite the new pitlane. Plus you don't know yet what the grandstands around the new 'Arena' section will be like.

[MattGreen]

Originally Posted by redshoes

It's really only the start-line grandstands that are being moved back, and once the new pitlane and start-line are built these will no longer be premium seats anyhow. I expect there will be new grandstands built opposite the new pitlane. Plus you don't know yet what the grandstands around the new 'Arena' section will be like.

Exactly. Best thing is to wait until it's all finished before saying how bad it is. From some of the reports on the new bits of the track, there will be more spectator viewing spots than before, with many closer banking sections being put in.

[Speedworx]

Originally Posted by Yakuncha

Looks like 1 of my fave spots is left - so far http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandfis...7623706747106/

Usually sit in the grandstand to the right, offers a good photography spot

Thats where I like to stand to take photos too.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Plus you don't know yet what the grandstands around the new 'Arena' section will be like.

According to the latest plans there are just 2 New grandstands in the Arena section, situated near the first braking zone. That's it basically, they're not even bothering to put anything down the National straight.

When considering also that they'll effectively be losing a couple of Grandstands around the Farm/Bridge area, then it really doesn't add up to much.

Originally Posted by MattGreen

From some of the reports on the new bits of the track, there will be more spectator viewing spots than before, with many closer banking sections being put in.

As for closer Banking sections, I'm sorry I don't believe a word of it. After viewing a considerable amount of Photo's of the "de-construction" I've seen no evidence of this happening at all. Looking at the plans again, most of the Arena section is surrounded on either side by about 50ft+ of run-off & gravel so any spectator banking here will have no better view than the now butchered Pit Straight.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Flat12-Aircool

According to the latest plans there are just 2 New grandstands in the Arena section, situated near the first braking zone. That's it basically, they're not even bothering to put anything down the National straight.

Nothing permanent on the National straight maybe but don't be surprised a number of temporary stands spring up in time for the GP.

When considering also that they'll effectively be losing a couple of Grandstands around the Farm/Bridge area, then it really doesn't add up to much.

However they now have both sides of the link between Abbey and Arrowhead to use.

Looking at the plans again, most of the Arena section is surrounded on either side by about 50ft+ of run-off & gravel so any spectator banking here will have no better view than the now butchered Pit Straight.

Look at where the current Luffield In stand is in relation to the edge of the track. That's just as far back as the proposed Arena stands yet the have no problem filling that on GP day.


This isn't to say that I am a fan of the changes. At a club meeting the extra distance and fences will be annoying but you are talking about the GP. I suspect that most people at the GP will either except the changes as the price to be paid or know no different. Either way I seriously doubt your prediction of attendances going down.

[bella]

it pains me to say it but i agree with redshoes. silverstone has always been an arse for being so far from the action at club meetings - it's common sense that if you want to go and see the cars up close you go to a different meeting.

i think you have to trust silverstone - they know which side their bread is buttered on, they want to get as many people through the doors as possible and make it look good, especially after the donington debacle.

don't always assume the worst - i know we get conditioned to do so being british and all but really, if you think the worst you're always looking for the things that could go wrong and only see the negatives. the positives are that silverstone have managed to get through the shoddy weather, carry out their improvements with minimum disruption, no meetings have been cancelled and nothing has fallen apart.

[MattGreen]

The Button/Hamilton effect will keep the gp weekend packed. I'm pretty sure I read that silverstone had sold the most amount of tickets ever in the first 24 hours after they went on sale.

As I said earlier, it's best to wait until it's finished before passing too much judgment...

[Steven Humphrey]

Silverstone could have closed it's doors while the work was done but then we may well have had another Donington on our hands. This was always going to be a tough year for all involved but I'm sure the finished circuit will be great. Just give it time!

[brands]

I can't see Bernie allowing the general public access to his infield to use grandstands on the north side of the National straight. The couple of grandstands at the Arena section on the plans are actually on the outside of the circuit and so will be fenced off from the corporate types.

[brands]

Some images from last weekend
The new pitwall and the huge run-off and gravel trap at Club


The swing right at Abbey towards the Arena...pitlane exit filtering in on the right



The exit of the Arena onto the National straight...the track is the thin ribbon on the extreme left.


Woodcote exit...from left to right it's track, mud, tarmac run-off, gravel, mud


and a view of the current pit straight from Copse

[White flag man]

Thanks Brands. Some interesting photos, although there's more beaches than Normandy!
Still think it would be better if they moved the Pedestrian Bridge flag point to the end of the pit lane. Just can't see drivers looking at the flag point where it is now.

[Speedworx]

Great photos. Is that gravel trap at Club new?

[Steven Humphrey]

Originally Posted by Speedworx

Great photos. Is that gravel trap at Club new?

Yes-it used to be all asphalt. I think the corner has been re-profiled aswell (not wandered down that end of the circuit yet), which is actually the only change to the old GP circuit layout. It just looks so different with all the new gravel/run off areas.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by arnage arnie

Yes-it used to be all asphalt. I think the corner has been re-profiled aswell (not wandered down that end of the circuit yet), which is actually the only change to the old GP circuit layout. It just looks so different with all the new gravel/run off areas.

I think there's still a bit of confusion over what they have planned for Club.

I've seen various statements to suggest they'd like to try and keep the old profile of Club available for Car racing events, but use the new "Squared off" profile for bikes.

The pictures I've seen so far (including these excellent ones from Brands) indicate to me that this is still a possibility.

[brands]

The only option I saw down at Club is that they have left the "historic circuit" Vale as well as the modern chicane.

I have uploaded the rest of my shots to a gallery here, http://nonmotorsport.fotopic.net/c1834863.html which includes further images of the Vale/Club area.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by brands

The only option I saw down at Club is that they have left the "historic circuit" Vale as well as the modern chicane.

Well what I see is that there's some curbing that's been lade part way around the bend, but it doesn't extend all the way around hence the Cones in this photo...

http://nonmotorsport.fotopic.net/p64133660.html

This might leave enough space to provide for the Old style club to run on the outside of this curbing.

Take this photo also...

http://nonmotorsport.fotopic.net/p64133673.html

The break in the curbing and the cones are just visible in the distance. Plus even by MotoGP standards there seems an awful lot of Tarmac & Gravel for what is essentially (in it's new profile) a Slow to Medium corner.