Tracks

[Jamesd]

Hi

I am not sure if this is on the right area.

I am intrested in going to these circuits

Oulton Park
Brands Hatch
Croft
Rockingham
Donington Park
Silverstone
Snetterton
Thruxton

Could anybody tell me how to get to them, but I dont drive, so it will have to be done on public transport.

I live in Swindon, Wiltshire.

James

[Craig]

Might be worth dropping Rob29 a private message and asking him to post his thoughts on this thread. I seem to recall he's in the same situation.

[Asp]

There's some info about some of these circuits in the wiki, but generally it's going to awkward.
Oulton is nowhere near a train station so you'll be on a (fairly expensive) taxi.
Thruxton and Brands check out this thread.

[kipper]

As Asp says it will generally be tricky to get to most circuits by public transports. With regard to Silverstone and Rockingham the nearest stations would be Northampton and Kettering respectively although the problem lies in getting from the station to the circuit without resorting to expensive taxis for buses in the general direction of the circuits are likely to be limited, especially on a Sunday. Donington Park may be possible if you can get to Leciester for I do know that there are regular buses (even on Sundays) from Leicester to East Midlands Airport, which is only a very short distance from the circuit.

[Chris Y]

For Oulton, you'll need a train to Winsford I reckon, then get a taxi from there.

[graeme]

Croft is only a few miles from Darlington station (or pull the emergency handle when the train passes the circuit!!! ). A railway line runs next to Snett as well, but not sure where the nearest station is (probably Attleborough, a few miles away) - there was talk of opening a "race day station" for Snett. Strange that back in the 1920s you could get a train to our one race circuit (Brooklands) but can't easily get to any of them now...

Have you got a 'bike - take it on the train, then cycle to the circuit (for Thruxton, you could almost cycle to the circuit directly...!?). Or pick a meeting you want to go to, then post on here and see if anyone can give you a lift. If you said you'd marshal, you might get an even better response.

[gixxer]

James wait till your're 17 then get a car and pass the test then you can drive to all of em

[devon kev]

Originally Posted by gixxer

James wait till your're 17 then get a car and pass the test then you can drive to all of em

How do we know he is under 17

[Rockmunky]

Because his profile shows he is 16

I'm just going to wait the few extra months, then once i've passed, i'll be able to attend alot more races, rather than rely on my old man to get my everywhere.


But public transport at circuits isn't that good, though all i'm going on is other people's experiences, as i've never done it that way.

[Rob29]

Yes you have problems.When I lived in London I managed to get to most circuits.Bus to Crystal Palace or Brands no problem.1960 British GP the day after I left school my first visit to Silverstone.Coach trip from 5 mins walk from home -£1 including admission!
Current situation;
Brands -taxi from Swanley.
Lydden-bus passes circuit aproach road but not sure it will stop there.
Donington-Bus passes the museum but according to someone who posted here(I think) will no longer stop there,you may have to walk from Castle Donington town.
Thruxton -taxi from Andover.
Mallory-Bus to Earl Shilton from Leicester, then long walk.

[White flag man]

James,
I'm going to quite a lot of meetings at Brands & Snetterton and the BTCC at Rockingham, from London.
Don't know how early in the morning you can get to London or whether you'd be willing to stay the night in the Metropolis (contrary to popular belief, in can be done quite cheaply), but I'd certainly be willing to take you from there, and bring you back ofcourse.

[gixxer]

Originally Posted by devon kev

How do we know he is under 17

Combe forum member and i've chatted to him on msn

[Suze]

Sorry, only just seen this thread. Brands from Swindon is easy as have done it before when living in Wilts (and got to Brands for a decent time) - if you book tickets in advance you can get £7.50 each way or something by specifying time by train - might be worth looking in to.

When I looked at some of the other circuits you mentioned above, timings etc never worked out - Brands was the only one I've done by public transport. Donington is made a little easier by the airport, but the other ones just didn't work out with times etc unless you stay in a B&B or something on the Sat night.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Suze

Sorry, only just seen this thread. Brands from Swindon is easy as have done it before when living in Wilts (and got to Brands for a decent time) - if you book tickets in advance you can get £7.50 each way or something by specifying time by train - might be worth looking in to.

From which station to which station Suze?

James,

You might try to find someone who races and see if you can latch on to them as an oily rag in return for transport and ticket. You'd be involved and get to know the drivers/teams too.

[Suze]

Swindon to Swanley - presumed that's what he'd do anyway...! Seems most logical

[Peter Mallett]

Not really there's a good bus service from Dartford. Or there was when I lived there.

[Suze]

Hms could work out cheaper then with bus fares / taxis if the buses work out but would think Swanley + cab could be a little quicker? (Have done Swanley station to Brands by car, and Hilton Dartford Bridge to Brands by car, but don't know where station in Dartford is).

[Peter Mallett]

Suze,

Its not a problem I just wanted to point out that you can travel to the circuit from Dartford thus you have two rail options and if you are coming from parts of the country other than Wilts you might find it more convenient to go to Dartford. The railway station is in the middle of the town, near the bus station.

[Suze]

Peter, didn't take it as a problem - may be worth knowing for the future anyway and checking out. Quicker to go through London than round for me!