Donington

Ingsy · 7 Sep 2006, 15:18 (Ref:1704221)

I'm off to Donington this weekend for the Renault World Series. I'm actually camping over (haven't used my tent for years, but have checked and it's still waterproof

). Can anyone recommend the best place to view from and how early we'll have to get up to get a good spot? Also, as the tickets are free, I take it that means we could sit in the grandstand, but I guess they go really early?

Won't be getting there til 10am ish on the saturday, so hoping to do all the Pit Challenge / simulator stuff then, and then spend sunday watching the track action.

Any info much appreciated

Suze · 7 Sep 2006, 15:38 (Ref:1704237)

Don't know re grandstand and price, but I like watching from the Old Hairpin when I go.

**Asp** · 7 Sep 2006, 18:10 (Ref:1704341)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingsy

Can anyone recommend the best place to view from

*cough*Wiki Circuit Guides*cough*

dazbaz_99 · 7 Sep 2006, 18:14 (Ref:1704346)

I have only been to Donny once, but I did enjoy watching the action at Fogarty Esses, sitting on the raised grass bank with my chair

. It can get damn loud there tho

. I always think the best way to enjoy the event is to take a casual walk round on say the Saturday, then perhaps spend more time at your favourite spots on the Sunday! Craner curves is also a good spot, you get a fantastic view, with Donington Castle in the distance (At least i assume thats the big building i saw!)

dazbaz_99 · 7 Sep 2006, 18:16 (Ref:1704348)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asp

*cough*Wiki Circuit Guides*cough*

Ten-Tenths Motosport Wiki

Rockmunky · 7 Sep 2006, 20:44 (Ref:1704482)

I'll be popping up for a bit off saturday, then (my dads difficult) driving home! then coming up all day sunday. I'll probably end up on the outside of the old hairpin.

dazbaz_99 · 7 Sep 2006, 21:06 (Ref:1704498)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmunky

I'll probably end up on the outside of the old hairpin.

I assume by that you mean Melbourne Hairpin?

JimW · 7 Sep 2006, 21:22 (Ref:1704512)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazbaz_99

I assume by that you mean Melbourne Hairpin?

No, I suspect he means the outside of the Old Hairpin.

Good viewing as they come through Hollywood, down Craner Curves and through the Old Hairpin. Loose sight of them under Starkey's Bridge and see them through Fogarty's and Macleans. (Depends a bit on where you stand.)

Regards

Jim

Suze · 8 Sep 2006, 09:11 (Ref:1704915)

Exactly, that's why I like watching there - for the reasons Jim said! If I've had to be in the pits though, ie working on cards or whatever, tend to watch from the inside on the bank having ran there.

dazbaz_99 · 8 Sep 2006, 09:23 (Ref:1704930)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimW

No, I suspect he means the outside of the Old Hairpin.

Sorry I had a blonde moment. Was looking at a map of the circuit and couldnt see a corner named Old Hairpin, found it now, although it doesnt look like what I would call a hairpin.

It is a good spot though i agree

Suze · 8 Sep 2006, 09:59 (Ref:1704971)

Hehe no it doesn't, does it?!

thebullet · 8 Sep 2006, 12:03 (Ref:1705072)

Ill be watching at the chicane best place to watch!

Rockmunky · 8 Sep 2006, 14:42 (Ref:1705219)

Yep, old hairpin, not too sure why it's named as it is. Anyone know?

***Chris Y*** · 8 Sep 2006, 14:53 (Ref:1705233)

Because it used to be one. Simple really.

Rockmunky · 8 Sep 2006, 15:40 (Ref:1705259)

Oh. Okay, must have been a while ago, as i don't remember any maps with it as a real hairpin.

Oh well, i'm looking forward to this weekend

The F1 demo should be good too.

Suze · 8 Sep 2006, 17:16 (Ref:1705342)

Think some of the very old Donny plans have it on. I have some old pics of it somewhere too.

Ingsy · 9 Sep 2006, 06:15 (Ref:1705689)

Thanls for all the info, we're about to leave now. Hope it's good!

Rockmunky · 9 Sep 2006, 07:39 (Ref:1705704)

Dabg nabbit, can't go today, dads had to go to work, so no way to get up there

But definitely going tomorrow!

Rob29 · 9 Sep 2006, 07:43 (Ref:1705708)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

Think some of the very old Donny plans have it on. I have some old pics of it somewhere too.

Was in the early 30s I believe.I think there is a plan of the original circuit in'The Motor Sport Book of Donington' when I can find my copy

You should still be able to find one in the museum shop?

Suze · 9 Sep 2006, 11:35 (Ref:1705823)

Yep have some pictures of that at home....!

thebullet · 10 Sep 2006, 19:53 (Ref:1707295)

Best to go on the today day as the F1 driver went 8 seconds faster than saturday. Great Day!

Ingsy · 11 Sep 2006, 12:58 (Ref:1707933)

It was a really good weekend. The crowd on the sunday was almost double that on the saturday (at a guess). Got some good viewing on the saturday from the grassy bank on the inside of the Old Hairpin, also walked down from Foggartys to the Adelaide Hairpin. Took loads of photo's, shame none of them are much good though

**bella** · 11 Sep 2006, 16:15 (Ref:1708090)

hey ingsy, as a side note there's a thread in national and international single seaters about the weekend here

redshoes · 11 Sep 2006, 17:26 (Ref:1708142)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingsy

It was a really good weekend. The crowd on the sunday was almost double that on the saturday (at a guess).

Figures I heard were around 34,000 on Saturday and 57,000 on Sunday.

We were hoping to park in our usual spot on the outside of the Old Hairpin but that route seemed to be closed off, although there were a few cars there later in the day.

Getting out of the car parking was a bit of a joke. After about half an hour I did notice two event staff trying to calm drivers stuck in the queue but it was too little too late. Aside from that it was all well organised with free radios, extra toilets and lots of food stands.

Were there any programmes available, I didn't spot anyone selling them. I like to get one, not for the timetable but for the entry lists which helps caption the photos I took. Anyone know if the results ae available on-line anywhere?

Rockmunky · 11 Sep 2006, 17:46 (Ref:1708149)

I didn't spot any, but yeah, i did spot a fair few portaloos!

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