Motorsport and the Coronavirus

[Lancsbreaker]

I see MSA have issued further guidance today which rows back slightly from their "wear a mask at all times" dictat......

https://mcusercontent.com/512543ca0c...eid=064ea355cf

[hoffman66]

I do not really understand Silverstone being so closed shop when other tracks are not.

Their loss, but lets face it, the place would be soulless with 10000 people in it as much as none!

[S griffin]

I wonder why Silverstone is closed too. Do they have enough money that it doesn't really matter?

I do like Silverstone, it's got a great atmosphere and it's better than many other circuits round the world let's face it

[Mike Crow]

Can't agree with you there. Silverstone has all the appeal of a prison camp built on an industrial estate for me. The place has resolutely trampled over all its history and heritage for the sake of the monster spawned by Ecclestone and in do doing has destroyed the place I once loved. I go there to see great cars but always with a heavy heart.

[morninggents]

Yes, the wing and the new bit of the GP circuit have done nothing to improve what was a decent track.

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

Can't agree with you there. Silverstone has all the appeal of a prison camp built on an industrial estate for me. The place has resolutely trampled over all its history and heritage for the sake of the monster spawned by Ecclestone and in do doing has destroyed the place I once loved. I go there to see great cars but always with a heavy heart.

Has been described thus 'as welcoming as a cornered ferrit...'

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[Woolley]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

common sense seems to be prevailing both among the Kart & Bike communities.

Goodness, didn't think things were that drastic!

[S griffin]

Don’t worry, things will calm down before you know it

[Moneyseeker]

Not strictly motorsport, but the NEC Classic Car Show has been cancelled this year, as has the Regent Street Motor Show, both November events.

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[S griffin]

That’s a shame, both are great classic events, but no surprise either. Hope all the effort is put on to make sure the events happen in 2021

[abw]

Oulton Park BSB looked particularly busy considering it was 'behind closed doors'.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I do like Silverstone, it's got a great atmosphere and it's better than many other circuits round the world let's face it

Strange, for most people including myself it's the most uninspiring, drab and austere circuit on earth. My local short circuit oval has more attraction and as for spectators appeal - zilch!

[Peter Mallett]

Oddly enough that was Rockingham for me. Silverstone has its faults but as a very fast auto drome, only Thruxton beats it. And for amateur photographers Luffield is very good. And for racers the pit facilties are excellent.

I'm sure people in the USA moan about Indian apologies as being a boring fenced in oval.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Oddly enough that was Rockingham for me. Silverstone has its faults but as a very fast auto drome, only Thruxton beats it. And for amateur photographers Luffield is very good. And for racers the pit facilties are excellent.

I'm sure people in the USA moan about Indian apologies as being a boring fenced in oval.

Couldn't agree more. Rockingham really was a charm-free zone. Went to the Indy car race there & left halfway through, bored stiff.

[S griffin]

Yeah Rockingham wasn't exactly the most challenging of layouts and it being an oval meant it was all grandstands, unlike places like Donington, Silverstone or Oulton. That said it did at least provide good racing there.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Crow

Silverstone has all the appeal of a prison camp built on an industrial estate for me. The place has resolutely trampled over all its history and heritage for the sake of the monster spawned by Ecclestone and in do doing has destroyed the place I once loved. I go there to see great cars but always with a heavy heart.

I don't see it as quite so bad, but do agree that Silverstone feels to have been too focused on F1 at the detriment of other series.

Over the last ten years of BTCC meetings I have attended, Silverstone is amongst the worse to watch BTCC at (IMO).

From the perspective of attending a BTCC meeting, I would place my preference in the following order:

1-Knockhill
2-Brands Hatch
3-Donington Park
4-Oulton Park
5-Croft
6-Snetterton
7-Silverstone
8-Rockingham

I'm still to make a visit to Thruxton - but if it is anywhere near half decent, then Silverstone sits as the worst venue BTCC visits currently.

[Greem]

I'll be the odd man out then, in that I liked Rockingham and I like Silverstone. I do get though that my perspective is probably somewhat different to that of both spectators and drivers!

[S griffin]

I don’t get why people are so down on Silverstone. There are a lot worse circuits in the world and I feel is still a good experience from a spectator viewpoint.

[Anyopenroad]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I don’t get why people are so down on Silverstone.

It is ugly. It is flat. The background of every view is either an industrial block or an empty grandstand. The fencing obstructs views. The grandstands are only open a handful of times a year (some of them literally twice).

There are some great spots. Luffield, Club, Becketts. But the latter two need access to the grandstands to properly appreciate and that hardly ever happens.

F1 at Silverstone is a good experience - when it is full, buzzing, lots of food and drink open, it's great (and eye-wateringly expensive ofc). The Classic is fun. MotoGP is fun. Other than that it is empty, soulless and uninspiring. Just go once to Spa, Nurburgring, Monza or even Brands Hatch or Donington, to see places with individual character, unique features and a much more spectator-friendly attitude.

[The Fat Clerk]

If you want a 'Friendly Circuit' - Mallory should be your first choice.

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I don’t get why people are so down on Silverstone. There are a lot worse circuits in the world and I feel is still a good experience from a spectator viewpoint.

examples of worse circuits that you have attended a race meeting at please.

[midgetman]

Silverstone is OK. Decent paddock to work in, reasonably easy to walk round and spectate, decent loos. Yes there's the loads of unused grandstands, but they're the downside of having a GP. Another downside are the huge run off areas but infinitely preferable to the death and serious injury that used to result from the banking and wooden sleepers.

I've been going there for half a century now and it is so much better than in the "old days". Controversial comment I'm sure, but I'm happy going there.

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[midgetman]

Worse circuits? Anywhere with grass paddock, or gravel for that matter. Paddocks on a slope - yes you, Brands Hatch. Paddocks fully exposed to the East wind from the Urals - that'll be Snetterton.

Silverstone is what it is.

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[Gerard C]

I know few of your circuits so can't compare but for a foreigner racing at Silverstone is a great experience. And the welcome is appreciated together with a serious and very polite scrutineering. Going from paddock to pre-grid can be tricky but just when you're late.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

I know few of your circuits so can't compare but for a foreigner racing at Silverstone is a great experience. And the welcome is appreciated together with a serious and very polite scrutineering. Going from paddock to pre-grid can be tricky but just when you're late.

This. Maybe we are bit lucky that we have so many great circuits in this country. Certainly some tend not to appreciate how well run the British circuits are compared to other countries. I think British motorsport has a lot to be proud of