F1 » Pro-Silverstone lobby in full cry

It's a good venue, been to 2 races there...the one where Mika's wheel fell off right in front of me springs to mind.

It does produce boring F1 races these days due to the high aero nature of the circuit, that's the fault of the cars not the circuit though.

If anyone says Sundays race was exciting would be talking b0llocks but it was nice to see someone else win for a change.

Apart from the virtues of Silverstone as a race track etc, the off site facilities for the real fans who cannot arrive by helicopter, or stay at 5* hotels are first class the tempory camping area opposite the track has 1st class facilities, the local farmer should be applauded for his efforts in helping to make Silverstone races a success. Bernie and his cronies should take a walk through the campsite to see the happy campers and ask their views on Silverstone as a great venue for the British Grand Prix...........

Don't kiss up to the troll, Silverstone.

Let whatever is left of Donnington and F1 have each other next year.

Better opportunities lie ahead for tracks and promoters.

Bernie's "deals" always come with a knife in your back. Don't forget how he railed against you over the years.

I was at Silverstone in 2000 when all this first started, and whilst the access was poor then I hear it is much improved. The atmosphere and the track are superb though.

Silverstone is the spiritual home of F1 in the UK, Donnington the spiritual home of bike racing (Superbikes and MotoGP). Leave F1 at Silverstone and the bikes at Donnington and the fans, drivers and riders are happy.

Bernie and his cronies should take a walk through the campsite to see the happy campers and ask their views on Silverstone as a great venue for the British Grand Prix...........

Not just the one campsite. There isn't a road around Silverstone that doesn't lead to some form of camping. Farms, golf clubs, all opened their gates.

BTW as I arrived on Thurs and left on Monday I can't comment on the traffic but I'm sure it is now a lot better than it was since the A43 became a dual carriage.

Silverstone over a period of time has forgotten the real fans at the expense of VIP's. They had long enough to make changes but kept dragging their heels. Only when faced with losing F1, the gentlemans club starts to make changes. If Donington can be ready, it deserves a chance. It's the great UK fnas that make it the event it is despite the BRDC, facilities etc.

Alternatively have 2 races in Britain and ditch one of the Spanish races

After the behavior of some of the Spanish fans I would get rid of the Spanish races anyway.

Donington plans to bus spectators in to the circuit, can you imagine getting your folding chair, umbrella, coolbox,extra sweater,rain wear, thermos,flag, banner, plus for many, push chair etc. on to a crowded bus?
A recipe for bus rage!
Access to Donington even at a national meeting can be difficult, so no matter how great the circuit and facilities may end up as, getting in will never be easy for the Grand Prix. 130,000 people on buses at 50 per bus is 2600 buses, even running a shuttle service back and forward from Nottingham and Derby looks like a nightmare scenario, Forget it Gillett.

wasn't some of the development money going to be for improving the road network around the circuit? thought that was part of the agreement with fom?

Minor improvements may be made, but how long does it take to get planning permission for a major dual carriage way from the M1 to the circuit agreed and then built? With the East Midlands Airport on the way there, it would cause chaos and you can imagine the protest movements objecting to any destruction of green field sites?
Many drivers and fans believe that Donington as it stands is a great circuit, but 'improving' it to Tilke standards would ruin it for most other class of racing. While I agree that Silverstone has no God given right to hold the race for ever, it seems pretty silly to put at risk the oldest World Championship round by hoping that Donington can overcome all it's problem.