Bought tickets for the race and camping 2 weeks ago (end December) for perhaps the last British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better for the weekend. Although the poor conditions did make for a fantastic race and even better result. I find it very difficult to believe that the Donnington track will be ready. It has taken 20 years to get Silverstone where it is and commercially they will be better off with the Moto GP. So what is Donnington's objective? They cannot make money from a GP and it is further from London, the parking is nonexistent and being so close to the airport how will the helicopters get in. Also what about the Red Arrows? Can't see that the display will be workable.
I am not sure what is best the planning and expectation of the event or the event itself. However the British GP 2009 was excellent, Silverstone does have its flaws but every year it gets better a new grandstand here, an extra toilet block there. I would say that all it needs now are more toilets; I know the problem is that the track only uses these facilities once or twice a season. But it is not good enough having queues 50 yards for the gents, it definitely put me off swilling ale.
Arrived at the Cavalier Fields campsite Thursday at around 18.30 got set up and had a few beers and phoned home. The only problem was the self igniting charcoal didn't and had to fry the lamb on calor gas cooker.
So following morning Friday up early and off the shops at Trowbridge to buy same barbeque lighters then it was off to the track, also bought a rather smart barbeque lighter made by BIC bit expensive but what a good gadget. Missed the first F1 free practice but got there for the GP2 practices watched these at Becketts, quite impressed these machines they lap around 10 secs slower than a F1 but at probably 1% of the cost over a season. But isn't that the fascination with F1, I know diminishing returns etc but that’s what it cost to be at the cutting edge. Then there was the air display by the Red Devils parachute team. Then F1 practice at 14.00 which I watched from Farm where I would watch the race Sunday decided the seat I had got was rubbish but that’s how it goes. Although the engines were only restricted by 1000 revs this season they are demonstrably quieter, although still very loud. There was quite a strong chilly wind which was going to feature all weekend. Slight optimism regarding the McLarens and was curious as to why the Brawns were a little less fast compared to normal maybe they were doing set ups or going heavy we would have to see. Stayed in Farm to watch the GP2 qualifying and then it was a stroll back to the gate round at Maggots taking in the Porsche Super Cup practices on the way round. Then through the merchandising area F1 village impressed that Brawn had 3 large concessions and bought a cap. Sorry Lewis that how it goes and there is the thought in small way I was helping to fund a rising English team. Could not believe there was a large Fernando Alonso concession selling Renault merchandise but specific to Fernando. Did no body tell these guys that he is not the most popular over here? Anyway the poor schumucks were stuck there all weekend with little action; they appeared to be Spanish so maybe they thought he was a popular guy. Even my daughters who only have a passing interest in motorsport boo whenever they see him on the TV, shouting he's the guy who was nasty to Lewis (I try to explain that Lewis can look after himself).
So the day was over at the track and it was time to stroll back to the campsite this takes about 60 minutes, you can do it in 45 mins but after a day at the track I can't be bothered walking fast. Anyway there are usually some great cars in the car park to have look at. Few beers got the barbeque working and it was grilled lamb, Greek salad and Turkish bread for supper.
Woke up around 4.00am as there was really heavy rain for about an hour, I thought oh no I do hope it's not going to be as bad as last year. Anyway went back to sleep and woke around 8.00 jumped up and dashed for the shower block as if you leave too late there is a massive queue. But the weather was great, looked like being a really nice day.
Off to the track around 10.00 and arrived just as the Black Cats RN display team were starting their display which was really skilful & interesting but not entertaining. Had a stroll round the track as the Porsches were qualifying for the Supercup race thinking where would be best to watch the qualifying for the F1? I decided on Club grandstand, as if you have a grandstand ticket for race day you can sit in any other grandstand Friday & Saturday. So if you are a bit of a geek you can try them all, which I normally do. The qualifying went according to form with the only surprise being how slow Button was but then it was pretty chilly due to the strength of the wind. I was surprised at how slow Lewis was in relation to Heikki, on radio 5 that morning they were saying that Heikki was running KERS and Lewis wasn't so maybe that was it. But then after I read neither were so am not sure on that count. The most interesting thing was to me that Brawn, Red Bull and Williams outperformed their engine suppliers teams, with Red Bull out performing Torro Rosso by a mile, so either Ferrari are supplying poor engines this year to Torro Rosso or the Ferrari engine is poor or maybe the others have moved on. As the Red Bull and the Torro Rosso are essentially the same cars with different engines. The Red Bull is much better than the Renault car but shares the same engine and as for the Mercedes engine the Brawn is at least a lap faster than the McLaren per race and they are even being beaten by the Force India. This demonstrates what a poor car the McLaren car is this year.
I then strolled around the track to Woodcote to catch the GP2 race from there great spot to spectator from but I prefer the open grandstands to the covered ones (don't know why) and was really surprised how good the racing was. The formula is a good one and defiantly is worth watching in Woodcote the spectators were very knowledgeable and followed the racing closely. Applauding every good move and cheering quite loudly at the finish.
I then wandered round the F1 village (merchandising area) and was impressed by the fact Brawn had arranged a PA with not only Button & Barrichello but Ross Brawn as well. This was really good luck as I was just going through the F1 village and stayed to hear the drivers and Ross. Usual stuff signed autographs and answered a few questions from the presenter, but the important thing was that they took the time trouble to do it. Both the drivers and Ross across as nice guys focused but genuine fellows. Must have shifted a few caps too, the Ferrari stands were deserted and as for the Fernando stand don't ask.
Missed the Formula BMW race whilst all the was going on and walked round to Maggots to watch the Historics qualifying and at 18.00 it was a gentle walk back to the camp site.
The wind must have been strong that day as my neighbour’s gazebo was wrecked and they were chucking it in the rubbish when I got back. However my tent and wind break were still good so I gave myself a pat on the back for camping skills.
Few beers and this time the barbecue did work so after half a dozen Marston’s it was time for bed.
Woke up early (7.00) and got down the shower block whilst in the queue was deciding whether to stay the night after the GP and then I could go to the after race party. Weather was looking good so I thought that’s it I'm going to the party.
So set off as usual around 10.00am and got to the track just in time to catch the end of the GP2 second race but wasn't sure who won as it was packed, I thought this must be a modern day record attendance. When I got back Autosport reported that 310,000 had attended over 3 days with 131,000 on race day, around 85,000 on Friday and 95,000 on Saturday. Not bad eh, sure beats Turkey and all the other Mickey Mouse venues. Also note it was only a week after Le Mans in the same pay month so awesome support from the British public.
Took in the Porsche Supercup from Hangar Straight and continued round target to be in seat for the start of the Red Arrows, saw the driver’s parade at club and just got to my place in time. As it was so crowded progress was slow, but no complaints from me that’s just how it should be on race day. My seat was absolutely the worst you could get in Farm, I like Farm but this seat was crap, B1 so right near the front and against the standing enclosure so these guys were all standing and restricted the view to the screens and track but that’s how it goes. Caught the Red Arrows display in full and loved every minute there’s no way that they can hold this display at Donnington unless they shut the airport down. Nice guy next to me with his son from Scotland or North England but he had quite a strong accent. This coupled with my partial deafness and the cars going round made it bit difficult to follow. But good company and very knowledgeable within 2 laps he had spotted the lead Vettel was building up and said it's Vettel’s race now and it was. Some might say it was a bit boring but you have to remember that F1 is both and engineering and endurance exercise coupled with driver’s ability. There always is this argument is it the driver or is the car, the answer is both it's a bit like horse racing where the best jockeys end up on the best horses.
Some tussles in mid field and a good race overall I enjoyed it and said goodbye to my Scots friend as he had to make a move up north. Stayed at Farm for the remaining race the Historics but was able to move place as around 1/2 the spectators made a move to try to get out before the traffic.
Straight after the last race there was another air display this time it was the new RAF fighter the Typhoon terrific action, 4 air displays in 3 days so a real treat for the spectators.
Around 16.15 started to make a move round to the tunnel at Copse and after a slow walk round and a big queue got through to the middle of the track. Silverstone really do go to great efforts and there was a large covered stage with a compare who was interviewing guests great to see how many of the drivers took time out to attend. Rosberg, Piquet, Webber, Nakajima, Hamilton, Button also former drivers and owners Derek Warwick and Eddie Jordan really great fun. Eddie Jordan was the first band up and by now the audience was mostly geeks and the drunk but a terrific atmosphere although more 50% were really plastered there was no trouble at all. I was going to have a few drinks myself but there wasn't a great deal of toilets and the queue were 40/50 yards so I thought I'ii wait until I get back. Eddie was a little cheesed off, but took it all in good grace when 3 numbers into his set he was yanked as Lewis had just come on stage. Lewis would have only had 10/15 minutes free as I would imagine he had sponsors & Mercedes duties straight after the race. After all the bills have to be paid somehow. But he was great Jenson was great and now feeling a bit weary it was time to head on back.
So as usual few drinks, bit of a barbeque around 1/2 the campers had cleared off so early night and I resolved to visit the Canal Museum in the morning after packing up and on the way home.