Donington Park - Project GP 2010

[Adam43]

I wondered that too. From the plans it seems they could keep them. It even looks like they are replacing the current pitlane (red shading) for that purpose. Which would be good, I'd rather have Redgate as the first corner than that chicane.

[GroupOfOne]

They're definitely keeping the old pit complex, but with a new pitlane. I read that it will be used as a support race pit/paddock area. Also they can use it with just the short west circuit - in affect they'll be east and west short circuits available, both of which could be used simultaneously.

[brickkicker]

Originally Posted by GroupOfOne

They're definitely keeping the old pit complex, but with a new pitlane. I read that it will be used as a support race pit/paddock area. Also they can use it with just the short west circuit - in affect they'll be east and west short circuits available, both of which could be used simultaneously.

Will that mean that the speed bumps in the pit lane will be taken out

[Al Weyman]

I think keeping the old pits was always proposed, I had a chat with the barman at the Redgate last season and he explained it that way.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

I think keeping the old pits was always proposed, I had a chat with the barman at the Redgate last season and he explained it that way.

It's amazing how the ''bar staff'' always seem to know more than anyone else.
I don't know how you can affordto drink in the Lodge Al, especially at their prices!

[Farbrooke]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

It's amazing how the ''bar staff'' always seem to know more than anyone else.

Same in any company - want to know anything ask the tea lady or the cleaner.

[Ian Sowman]

The old Donington national layout provided some of the best club racing in my opinion and I am sure the new version, and the new western variant, will too.

Not sure why a long straight should make full dull racing - I have seen many excellent races at Snetterton, home of the longest straight at the moment.

[Chris Y]

Relax - it'll still have the qualities you describe. Everything from Redgate to McLeans will remain the same as is. All that'll really change from a club racing perspective is that Coppice will be reprofiled (not too much) and the back straight will be at a different angle, and Goddards will be a longer chicane.

My first track experiences were at Donny, and I passed my ARDS there, so I'm fond of the place, but I can deal with those limited changes, certainly if it brings in some development of the place and gets them some new toilets!

[PTRACER]

Yeah, but I also expect them to pave over the grass and gravel surrounding the Craner Curves and the Old Hairpin and part of the challenge of driving those corners is to go as fast as you can without driving off the track. The challenge will be gone when they pave them over.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by PTRACER

Yeah, but I also expect them to pave over the grass and gravel surrounding the Craner Curves and the Old Hairpin and part of the challenge of driving those corners is to go as fast as you can without driving off the track. The challenge will be gone when they pave them over.

I imagine that they might introduce a bit of "artificial grass" in the area's you mention, but wholesale Paving/Gravel I can't see happening.

[Chris Y]

Well, they said they weren't even going to touch those areas, and perhaps in the current economic climate, I'd be inclined to believe them - perhaps they will pour all the available money into the new parts of the track. I'd be as disappointed as you if they fill all the areas around the Craners and redgate with gravel/tarmac, but I have hopes that (unless forced to by F1 standards) they'll retain the originality of the main part of the circuit.

[andy97]

I listend to Gillet being interviewed at the autosport show & he stated that the existing run offs were already up to the required standard for F1 & did not need changing. Indeed the run offs are greater than required by F1 as they meet the higher specs demanded by Moto GP. I assume from that that the the existing run offs won't be changed, even down to the Melbourne hairpin.

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by andy97

I listend to Gillet being interviewed at the autosport show & he stated that the existing run offs were already up to the required standard for F1 & did not need changing. Indeed the run offs are greater than required by F1 as they meet the higher specs demanded by Moto GP. I assume from that that the the existing run offs won't be changed, even down to the Melbourne hairpin.

i remember him saying, in a press interview somewhere that the barriers were far enough away, but however they would have to install some 'fia/fom' runoffs consisting of gravel and tarmac
(now im going to try and find that article)

[JimW]

Deeply reluctant though I am to recommend anything to do with the Daily Mail, this is worth a read: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/art...rand-Prix.html.

As are the accounts themselves, even to my non-expert eye.

Jim

[ascarracinguk]

id think theyd probably add a bit to melbourne...goin into there flat out in an f1 car on the first corner could be interesting!

[Farbrooke]

There was apparently an article about the accounts in the Express 1st feb which appears on Pitpass
Max then seems to have responded here
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73164
Which leaves you wondering if Silverstone and the MSA were aware of these conditions?
Not having corporate's lining up to buy expensive seats cannot be a surprise in present climate - other than of course the banking profession!!

[JimW]

Writs and debts - or not?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mot...n-Gillett.html

Jim

[VIVA GT]

I just happened accross an interview with Mr Gillet on BBC Radio Leicester (aka SadFM) last night. I have to say that he's a very persuasive talker and on the face of what he said, the Grand Prix will certainly go ahead.
Unfortunately I'm not just taking my information from him, and therefore still think that this years (Silverstone) GP could be the last one we have in Britain...

[Adelaide94]

The new track looks a bit dull to me from this simulation - http://tinyurl.com/d6a2qr

[Al Weyman]

Looks good to me! I particularly like the steep climb where a nice bit of torque will come in useful.

[R59]

One major mistake. There seems to be an airship in the sky in the flightpath of East Midlands Airport.

[White flag man]

Bernie's idea of bringing the airport to a standstill while the GP is on!

[JohnD]

Now I'm hearing that, having dug a trench across the track for a new access tunnel, the contractors have left the job, pulling all their plant out.

Any verification?

John

[Chris Y]

Any further information on how this is going? I heard that Donington Park circuit doesn't even have a track licence this year. In fact, the circuit had to be issued with a temporary track licence so that the MGCC could have a race meeting this weekend: http://www.mgcc.co.uk/motorsport-top...well-park.html

[Steven Humphrey]

Speaking as a marshal, if anything does stop there it will stay there until the race is stopped! I'm so dissapointed as this will be my first visit to Donington as a marshal. I wanted to work there before all the redevelopment work was done but it looks like the whole day could be a nightmare. I won't pull out as I don't want to let the club down but I'm getting nervous!