Donington Park

Organza_Rose · 27 Sep 2002, 08:09 (Ref:389568)

Hi everyone

As you can probably guess - im new here!

Basically what has brought me here, is the fact that my boyfriend and myself have tickets for the Touring Cars at Donington on 5&6th October.

Now i like my fast cars, i'm a big F1 fan my b/f touring cars ... the problem being we have never been to a race meeting!

I need some advice and tips and everything else you can think of ....

PLEASE

Thanks

Organza Rose

woodyracing · 27 Sep 2002, 09:32 (Ref:389611)

Take warm waterproof clothes incase it rains, take a camera, take some food if you dont like burgers/hotdogs. And wander around everywhere, including the paddock. I usually carry a small sports bag for clothes/food etc.

Chris Gray · 27 Sep 2002, 09:37 (Ref:389616)

Take your car on to the infield. Even if you can't watch from it at least you don't have to lug everything around all day.

Organza_Rose · 27 Sep 2002, 12:10 (Ref:389726)

Thanx guys

I wasnt aware you could go into the paddock????

O'Schumacher · 27 Sep 2002, 14:12 (Ref:389811)

As long as it's not F1, the public tend to have full access to the paddock, and it's far easier to talk to drivers & team personell there than it is in a hurriedly arranged Pit lane walkabout that the BTCC always holds (I don't know if the ETCC has such a system).

Here's another tip. The best view of the track can be had from Holloywood (unless you have a grandstand seat at the very top of the start/finish straight's stand.

jase · 27 Sep 2002, 16:39 (Ref:389974)

Quote:

Originally posted by O'Schumacher
As long as it's not F1, the public tend to have full access to the paddock, and it's far easier to talk to drivers & team personell there than it is in a hurriedly arranged Pit lane walkabout that the BTCC always holds (I don't know if the ETCC has such a system).

Here's another tip. The best view of the track can be had from Holloywood (unless you have a grandstand seat at the very top of the start/finish straight's stand.

There is no Pit walkabout at FIA GT's this weekend, Etcc teams will be operating out of thier awnings in the paddock, so a good opportunity to get close to the cars.

As for watching, try the old hairpin, but it might get busy quickly.

But I would stress Warm clothes, Waterproofs and Stout footwear. But above all, have fun.

redshoes · 27 Sep 2002, 17:33 (Ref:390023)

Welcome Rose, thought this would be better moved from Touring Cars to Trackside.

I'm second everything said above. Warm clothes, good shoes, food are all essential. Don't know for definate if the radio will be broadcasting (should be) but take a portable AM radio if you have one. The PA at Donny is quiet enough in places, with the GTs out you'll have no chance of hearing it.

No pit walkabout but definately take a wander around the paddock. As for viewing points, outside and inside of Old Hairpin are good, as is Redgate, Goddards and Melbourne hairpin. The GT race is 3 hours so there should be plenty of time to wander around.

One last thing, as it's an FIA meeting expect fairly long delays between races.

brickkicker · 27 Sep 2002, 17:45 (Ref:390034)

If you have never been to donington before on ITV saturday there is the BTCC from last week on. This will give you a good look at the track and were people stand (and were cars tend to spin)
Agree with redshoes about were to stand and have a good look around the whole paddock as there will be lots in there not just the ETCC

calcium · 28 Sep 2002, 22:08 (Ref:390759)

Get there early and check out the place, walk right around the track and pick some spots you might think are good for viewing, watching them enter the first corner and streaming down cascades is quite good.

Enjoy yourself.

Ian Sowman · 28 Sep 2002, 22:25 (Ref:390769)

I think Calcium means the Craner Curves. If you stand at Cascades you'll be at the wrong circuit...

rick vaux · 29 Sep 2002, 08:59 (Ref:390949)

Lol.... don`t forget to get to the outside of the craners, you will have to walk behind Redgate ( first bend) to get there, obvious for those that have been before i know..
May be more action at cascades

calcium · 29 Sep 2002, 15:22 (Ref:391184)

errr ,yes thanks for that Ian, sorry.

(Didn't you know that this year they are taking a de-tour to Cheshire!!

)

**Craig** · 29 Sep 2002, 15:37 (Ref:391204)

We're not competing this weekend (sadly!) but you might find our page helpful anyway:

http://www.yorkcityracing.com/circuits/3.php

**Woolley** · 30 Sep 2002, 21:17 (Ref:392545)

If I were spectating, this is what I'd do. Start at Hollywood (the spot where you can see all down the Craners - there's a sort of Grandstand thingy for the supporters club). You can place yourself near there. After half an hour or so of the GTs, start wandering down the Craners and past the Old Hairpin, and do a tour of the circuit so you get to see the GTs from everywhere. It breaks the 3 hours up a bit. Nip around the back of the Convention Centre so that you're on the outside of the Esses (at the top of the hill where you can see the Esses and the Melbourne Hairpin) for the start of the ETCC race 1, because they're bound to bang into each othere through there. If you have paddock passes you can go into the back of the paddock from the Hairpin, down to the far end and back to Redgate for race 2, the TVRs and the Zip formula. Take your own lunch box so you can eat wherever you are, good shoes or boots, and lots of layers, at least one of which should be waterproof and can double up as a rug to sit on. A radio is useful - one that tunes to 1602 MW, then you can always hear the commentary and keep up with the race. Above all, enjoy yourselves, because F1 style procession it ain't! If you want information or advice once you're there, ask the Marshals who'll be happy to pass on their experience. You never know, it might be me!

Organza_Rose · 1 Oct 2002, 07:11 (Ref:392782)

Thanx guy - this is all really helpful stuff!

I know we are gonna have a great time!

RickP:Clio51 · 2 Oct 2002, 12:33 (Ref:393974)

Hey! Hey!
Aren't we forgetting something? The Clio Trophy will be racing at 4.30 on Saturday, you will need to be at the Esses I would imagine for the best view, and you better come and introduce yourself in the Paddock sometime beforehand: Car 33, Autosport Promotion team, no-one speaks English so collar and mechanic and say "Rick?", if he shrugs, I am not there, else he'll point!
RickP

rick vaux · 2 Oct 2002, 21:37 (Ref:394408)

I hope Rick you don`t do the same at the esses as you did at copse, twice...do i need to say more....

Wasn`t there a song in the 80s !

**Woolley** · 7 Oct 2002, 22:00 (Ref:397917)

Rick, nice to meet you on Saturday, you were as welcoming as you professed. I was very impressed with the doughnut spin on the slow down lap. Not quite as much fun as the one all down the Craners in the morning, but no doubt you did that one on purpose as well?! Good luck at Estoril. I suggest full wets...

Les · 7 Oct 2002, 22:18 (Ref:397937)

It's always a pleasure to meet up with Rick and his missus. There's always a bit of drama. This time - can they get a new timing belt on in time, the answer was, just!!

Maisie · 8 Oct 2002, 13:42 (Ref:398363)

Yes, at one point by dint of having someone totally submerged in the engine bay with only his feet sticking out, and at another point having a delicately balanced mechanic with one foot on the top of an axle stand, and the other foot, snooker player-style, positioned on the window sill!!

Les · 8 Oct 2002, 20:30 (Ref:398661)

I know - he must have been so uncomfortable - one comment made was what part of his anatomy he was using to hold on with

rick vaux · 8 Oct 2002, 20:51 (Ref:398668)

Could the budget Rick not stretch to four slick tyres ?

Heebeegeetee · 9 Oct 2002, 17:33 (Ref:399516)

So, Organza_Rose, how did you get on?

rick vaux · 9 Oct 2002, 20:22 (Ref:399627)

She probably didn`t go after all this.....

Organza_Rose · 10 Oct 2002, 20:42 (Ref:400661)

Hi guys .... yes i did go and had a fantastic time.

Took your suggestions ... went in the paddock, tried your ideas about where to watch on the circuit ... took lots of pics, even looked out for Rick in his Clio!!!

Overall had an absolutely amazing few days .... enjoyed it throughly, thanx for all the advice and suggestions!

Cant wait for the next meeting.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
F3 Rnd 02 (Donington Park)	Noisy	National & International Single Seaters	52	30 May 2006 20:00
750 Donington Park	petestenning	Marshals Forum	77	31 Mar 2004 20:13
JCC at Donington Park	Stone-kicker	Marshals Forum	8	17 Mar 2003 19:39
Donington Park	Radisichrox	Touring Car Racing	3	26 Sep 2001 19:39
Donington Park	Speedworx	Formula One	10	7 Jul 2001 20:36