Donington spark plug - Page 2

justracing · 5 Apr 2018, 08:33 (Ref:3812939)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_l

You are still closer to the action than you are at Silverstone, where some corners are like being at the seaside with the tide out

Second that, Sillystone is without a doubt the worst spectator circuit in the uk

coppice · 5 Apr 2018, 18:06 (Ref:3813027)

Oddly enough I prefer Silverstone now even though the cars are specs in the bloody distance at many bends. But Farm- Village I like on the outfield and Brooklands is OK ish . But compared to my first trips - pre chicane Woodcote and Club- it's bloody appalling. Thank God for Cadwell...

redshoes · 6 Apr 2018, 17:42 (Ref:3813290)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantp

The circuit Twitter feed has some photos of the view from the new Grandstand. It's occupying the location the the Donington Park Racing Association Club used to occupy - but a bit higher. So it should be good though possibly a little exposed in certain weather situations.

More than just 'a bit' higher! You're right about being exposed in bad weather.

Quote:

There has been work going on in the area of the Scrutineering bay and the afore mentioned "Garage 39" redevelopment and it may be that the tunnel, as it sits between those two locations, was best kept closed at that time.

Hadn't considered that but sounds feasible.

chunder · 19 Apr 2018, 15:25 (Ref:3816507)

Regarding Silverstone, I try and get into the place but every time I go there, it is just so vast and you are so far away, unless you have a real interest in what's going on, it is a soulless, empty place.

I can go to a similar meeting at Brands or Cadwell and feel part of something.

Sadly Donington always left me feeling slightly empty too, unless you could get into the paddock area and view from that area. always felt a bit distant. But that depended on watching bikes or cars for me.

I like the new Snetterton, some great little places to watch if you explore

grantp · 19 Apr 2018, 21:07 (Ref:3816555)

A very busy test day today and at last weather that was not inducing hypothermia.

That said, it was a bit warm .....

The Old Coppice tunnel was open for pedestrians once again so that looks like a permanent development.

I'm starting to get used to the marked "roads" on the new paddock tarmac. First time visitors to the new development who are very familiar with the old may be a but thrown by it.

Today was a mainly "modern" day with a smattering of Historics included. RUn in a form of sessions that seemed to be somewhat performance oriented but it was very noticeable just how fast the fast modern sports cars are in certain sections of the circuit compared to the in-period equivalent historics.

Greem · 20 Apr 2018, 10:23 (Ref:3816626)

I was there last weekend for the MSVR meeting but I didn't get out of the pit lane (or at least, not very far from it). I noted that the removal of the old back fence from paddock 1, from race control down to the new restaurant, makes that bit of the paddock feel much bigger.

The restaurant itself I went into but didn't eat, it looked very smart and new and I hope they get the early day wrinkles sorted out.

The surfacing of paddock 3 makes that end of the paddock feel enormous!

I was struck by how the red/white paint job just looks right, too.

Am there again this weekend, but doing the same job so I probably won't get out to sample the rest of the circuit. That'll have to wait until the DHF, most likely.

Greem · 23 Apr 2018, 12:37 (Ref:3816997)

So I got to sample Garage 39 at lunchtime yesterday, and it was excellent. Nice and clean, plenty of seating, good service from helpful smiling staff, food was great, was fairly busy with marshals/spectators/team personnel/drivers (good cross section, I thought). A good addition to the circuit.

The paddock tunnel to the infield is open, albeit it's been hidden out of the way by an extension to have a decent sized kitchen in Garage 39. Here's a photo - it's very definitely now pedestrian only!

**bella** · 23 Apr 2018, 12:57 (Ref:3817001)

dunno about the food being great, consensus from the lads was that it was exactly the same quality food as before. they forgot the gravy multiple times on takeaway food despite it being asked for, and my burger yesterday looked like it was cooked the day before. nothing against the staff, they seem lovely, but it's definitely the worst of the msv circuits still. and considering i've had mild food poisoning twice from the kentagon, that's saying something

Greem · 23 Apr 2018, 16:07 (Ref:3817016)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

dunno about the food being great, consensus from the lads was that it was exactly the same quality food as before. they forgot the gravy multiple times on takeaway food despite it being asked for, and my burger yesterday looked like it was cooked the day before. nothing against the staff, they seem lovely, but it's definitely the worst of the msv circuits still. and considering i've had mild food poisoning twice from the kentagon, that's saying something

To be fair, I got to sit down for 20 minutes in a building with a roof after only having a maximum of 10 minutes on Saturday. I could have eaten a warm bag of pebbles and I'd have been happy.

Personally I thought it was a big improvement on previous experiences, but I'm not generally the sort of person who gets chance to eat inside at race circuits!

**bella** · 23 Apr 2018, 18:43 (Ref:3817039)

now you mention it, warm pebbles would be a significant upgrade

the space looks a lot better than the previous one, and to be fair, the sunday roast looked pretty reasonable aside from being sahara desert dry. if only all msv food was as good as snetterton, maybe they can go to the other kitchens and do some coaching...