Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig
Small shame about the features round the back, but... Redgate Lodge?!!!  |
After the Gillett/F1 bid fiasco the track licence had lapsed and so various changes had to be made before it was re-instated.
The run-off on the inside of the Dunlop Straight had to be extended by some way (which is why the bridge would no longer fit even if servicable), the chicane on the National circuit had to be moved back along the straight as it was deemed to be too close to the bank at the previous location and that mean the section onot the loop had to be changed as well.
It also made the pit straight (Wheatcroft Straight) a little longer and faster and with some additional influence about run-off at Redgate from the bikers (iirc) there was tarmac added at the end of the straight, and the gravel trap was extended and widened. So goodbye to the lodge and the bar. Also hello to a lot of fencing (as previosuly mentioned) and barriers to keep the masses well back from the fencing - especially at Redgate because it's a main Recovery Tractor location and the usual pattern is to shift incident down the hill and then return to station outside the fencing on a reserved track rather than battle through the crowds (when there are any crowds).
Run off was increased in a few other areas too - inside after the Old Hairpin for example once the bridge had gone. Most of the circuit in fact and expecially inside at McLeans plus a lot of fixing of the new tunnel - if I counted right we are at version 4 now, or maybe 5 - between McLeans and Coppice. That is NOT a pedestrian tunnel afaik and the Infield access is to and from the outside of the circuit not the outside of the track.
The Old Coppice tunnel still exists and I saw a sign indicating Pedestrians only so if and when open it may be that offers a route back to get all the way around the circuit.
The option to go outside the wall and rejoin after the Exhibition centre (for any meeting where the relevant gates might be open) is probably a non-starter now as "The Engineroom" as it was renamed a year or so back is now solely the province of Aston Barclay car auctions with fencing in place and the old tarmac outer road blocked and gated.
So with the Plant Auction outfit (Ritchies) occupying most of the rest of the once grassed area between the Museum Buildings and the Engineroom is would be a long walk around.
On the plus side the old gravel tracks thhat existed on that side of the land outside the track walls have all been tarmacked over since the New Year along with the balance of the gravel in the paddock.
There is a new open Grandstand on the bank at Holly Wood and newly built toilet facilities at various places around the track.
The Tunnel undet the Dunlop straight may or may not be open depending on the meeting. If the loop is in use it is usually open. However for the bigger meetings the gate was used and the area outside the gat was designated for parking. That parking area now seems to be occupied more often than not by cars for the auction. Whether that will be the case for major even days I don't know - if anyone went to the BSB meeting this weekend they may know.
A few weeks ago it was mentioned that the pedestrian tunnel from the Paddock to the infield was no open on the day. I forget is that was a General Test day or the 750MC Track Day but either way it seemed a little unusual. However there was work going in in the in-field and it may simply have been and H&S decision based on that.
If you can get to the infield that way the old block of suits on the inside at Craner Curves wash demolished 2 or 3 years ago and there is reasonable viewing bank in its place.
As for the Sparkplug ... I was told that it was little loved by the commentators assigned to it. It was always either too hot or too cold and usually damp through lacking ventilation. I think they much prefer being on top of the race control building and watching the colour camera and timing feeds ... so long as everything is working well on the day.
In theory the commentary is also broadcast on a Track FM radio channel (or at least it has been for notable meetings in recent years) so a phone with FM aerial (often the earphone cable) should allow a decent option to listen to the commentary wherever you are around the track.
Whether that still applies under the new regime I am not sure.
HSCC are there next weekend so presumably people will have an opportunity to assess the latest developments and report back in good time before the Historic Festival.
Parking on the outside of the circuit is something that might be questionable absent a disabled qualification or a car pass but yes one does see cars (other than marshal's cars) around the circuit at small meetings.
Not so often parked up on the banking though. To be honest unless the area dries out a lot in the next few weeks I suspect it would be a bit damp still. JP does not like to see his grass churned up and with the construction work that has been going on things were already quite messy last time I was there a couple of weeks ago. Plus getting up on the banking might be easier than coming down - at least coming down in a controlled fashion to a point at which you would wish to rejoin the gravel track!
HTH
Race Official
however it just shows that motor racing is dangerous ! Even with all the new track run off areas things still happen, I remember a car going over the barrier on the back straight at Brands not too long ago almost hitting the marshals post !
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