CTCRC Donington Park 22/23 March Season Opener -LIVE

[gary396]

Donington parking is normally outside the main paddock entrance. It's immediately next to the entrance but then a walk from there to wherever you want to view, so depending where you go it's a bit of a 'trudge' back to the car. It's grass parking area, okay when dry can get a bit slippery / muddy for cars if there's been a lot of rain.

Unless things have changed, once inside the paddock area there is only one walkway (access tunnel) to the infield area so if you then want to go on the outside e.g at Craner you have to walk all the way back through the tunnel and round again. Bit of a pain really, pity they don't have a crossing point. Or if they do I've missed it!

[snowen250]

Gary

thanks for the reply, ok il probably set up camp just after redgate, top of the craners then. As I am guessing the food outlets and toilets will only be a short walk to the start/finish straight from there. Though I may trudge round to the chicane....hmm decisions.....

Simon

[grantp]

Originally Posted by gary396

Donington parking is normally outside the main paddock entrance. It's immediately next to the entrance but then a walk from there to wherever you want to view, so depending where you go it's a bit of a 'trudge' back to the car. It's grass parking area, okay when dry can get a bit slippery / muddy for cars if there's been a lot of rain.

Unless things have changed, once inside the paddock area there is only one walkway (access tunnel) to the infield area so if you then want to go on the outside e.g at Craner you have to walk all the way back through the tunnel and round again. Bit of a pain really, pity they don't have a crossing point. Or if they do I've missed it!

Gary,

There is no crossing point available.

There are other tunnels but the one at the other end of the circuit at Coppice is closed - it has been for some years since the F1 fiasco. Much of the infield is still being refurbished so the new tunnel is currently for construction work only. Likely to stay that way for this year I understand.

There is a third tunnel under Robert's esses (more or less) but that may only be open when the full circuit is in use unless there are organised infield activities. Either way it probably does not help much as the outside of the circuit at that point is a bit of a dead end except for the loop area.

For larger club meetings there are usually food outlet of some sort in the paddock at the Redgate end (and elsewhere of course but they are nearest to the track). Much bigger meetings have more resources of course.

Whether that will be the case at the moment I don't know - the Formula E factory units are being constructed just in side the paddock entrance and may be a little disruptive for a few weeks.

If anyone is up there testing today they may be able to advise - seems to have gone a bit quiet at the moment though.

One option that may be worth considering for rgualr visitors is to join the Donington Park Racing Association Club. (DPRAC).

Membership provides the use of the clubhouse facilities and seated viewing area on the outside of the circuit at the top of the Hollywood/Craner Curves area. Light refreshments are available and places of shelter if the weather is adverse. Annual membership is a few pounds. A membership card provides for an entry ticket discount for most club meetings. There are a few other benefits in terms of discounts here and there and usually an low cost track day (road legal and noise restricted cars only) once a year. Mid August this year. The cost is basically what is required to cover insurance requirements for the day.

For anyone likely to be visiting Donington a few times during the year as a spectator it may be worth considering joining - just pop in and talk to one of the organisers to see if it offers you anything.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by snowen250

Gary

thanks for the reply, ok il probably set up camp just after redgate, top of the craners then. As I am guessing the food outlets and toilets will only be a short walk to the start/finish straight from there. Though I may trudge round to the chicane....hmm decisions.....

Simon

Simon,

The inside at the chicane is not far from the paddock tunnel though a couple of elevation changes can make it seem further if carry a lot of kit! Not as bad as BH though!

There are usually some portaloos scattered around to support the permanent facilities in the Paddock and at the Old Hairpin, McLeans and Coppice.

[ascarracinguk]

Looks like a great weekend. Fford have 30 odd cars, caterhams are over subcribed, mgoc have 31 confirmed drivers, bmw had 17 in class a and 20 in BCD at the last count on their Facebook page just not sure about the ctcrc and max 5..anyone got a clue on grid numbers?

[medius]

As far as I know, two CTCRC grids are full and a couple more are near capacity. MX5s are always full so no worries there.

[ascarracinguk]

Sounds like a great opener...my flag waving arms better be up to it!

[Alfaholic]

And for those attending - the latest weather forecast for Castle Donington...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2653591

[grantp]

Originally Posted by kipper

BARC don't tend to publish entry lists in advance; however, the Classic FF1600 list is at: http://www.classicff1600.moonfruit.c...ist/4583414298

Quite a few of those in the list were testing at Mallory on Wednesday. Looks like a good race in prospect.

[Greem]

I'm starting my marshalling year in Sunday at this one. I hope we don't end up with a bomb-burst of Caterhams like a couple of years ago - so many, in fact, we had to pick one up and carry it onto a flatbed to speed up recovery!

[Race4Fun]

As you probably know Motors TV is across all platforms now
(Freeview ch 240, Sky 447, Virgin 545)

If any other racers want to watch the Motors TV coverage these are the re-runs:

Next broadcast:
Wednesday 26 March - 16:05,
Wednesday 26 March - 23:05,
Thursday 27 March - 0:40,
Thursday 27 March - 7:00,
Friday 28 March - 4:55,
Friday 28 March - 6:00,
Friday 28 March - 10:35,
Friday 28 March - 11:20,
Friday 28 March - 22:30,
Saturday 29 March - 1:15,
Saturday 29 March - 18:25,
Saturday 29 March - 18:45,
Saturday 29 March - 23:25,
Sunday 30 March - 3:45,
Sunday 30 March - 8:35,
Sunday 30 March - 9:40,
Monday 31 March - 7:50,
Monday 31 March - 23:40,
Monday 31 March - 23:50,
Tuesday 01 April - 6:50,
Tuesday 01 April - 11:05,
Tuesday 01 April - 12:10,
Thursday 03 April - 18:40,
Friday 04 April - 2:25,
Sunday 06 April - 1:10,
Sunday 06 April - 1:45,
Wednesday 09 April - 0:15,
Friday 11 April - 7:00,
Saturday 12 April - 0:10,
Saturday 12 April - 2:25,
Saturday 12 April - 6:00