visiting Brands Hatch

[racerkeke]

I will be in England in June en route to Le Mans, and want to add to my "collection" of tracks. I'm hoping to make it to Brands Hatch this time. Does anyone know whether Brands has a souvenir shop that's open when there ISN'T a pro event on? Some tracks in North America do (Laguna Seca comes to mind), but I know it's not always the case.

Thanks in advance (40-some-odd days and counting...)
keke

[ss_collins]

its not like North America with the Pro/am split, you may find a pro series mixing it on a raceday with the am or club boys. The shop tends to be open at most events on weekends and sometimes for bigger trackdays but otherwise Brands not on a race weekend is rather a dull place. Brooklands (about a 30 minute drive or an hour by train (1/2 hour from London)) is much better bet with a great museum and loads to see.

If you are in the area you might also fancy walking the track at Crystal Palace - about 30 mins on the train from brands.

Otherwise watch the Le Mans threads in the sportscar forum for the ten tenths meet details on raceday at Le Mans - well worth it - hope I'll see you there.

The shop is under the stands near the Kentagon pub.

[Rich D]

Shop was open during the HSCC meet we went to last year. We had to send our kid to get the loot for us though, as it was shut by the time we found it on the first day (see, kids are useful!!).
However, just got back from Laguna and did not find a store there . Should have looked harder (or taken a kid!!!)

Rich.

[MikeHoyer]

Shops are usually open at Brands whenever there's a race on.

[racerkeke]

Thanks, folks. I'll be there for the 750MC event so I guess the place will be open. Don't know if we'll make it to Brooklands, altho it's a great idea -- my dad owned an old Morgan that had raced there (had the little metal badge on it). It might have to wait for the next trip.

Rich, the big souvenir store at Laguna is in the infield driver's left between turn 3 and turn 4. To their credit, not all badged items include the track's current (and yucky) name of Mazda Raceway. The old name and even the old logos are still used.

Unfortunately I will probably not be able to get to the 10-10ths get-together at Le Mans... too far from my commissaire poste and on the wrong side of the track, I suspect. But I will be there in spirit (or is that spirits?), for sure.

keke

[MikeHoyer]

Originally Posted by racerkeke

Thanks, folks. I'll be there for the 750MC event so I guess the place will be open. Don't know if we'll make it to Brooklands, altho it's a great idea -- my dad owned an old Morgan that had raced there (had the little metal badge on it). It might have to wait for the next trip.

Rich, the big souvenir store at Laguna is in the infield driver's left between turn 3 and turn 4. To their credit, not all badged items include the track's current (and yucky) name of Mazda Raceway. The old name and even the old logos are still used.

Unfortunately I will probably not be able to get to the 10-10ths get-together at Le Mans... too far from my commissaire poste and on the wrong side of the track, I suspect. But I will be there in spirit (or is that spirits?), for sure.

keke

Cool, I'll be there for that aswell. Good pre-Le Mans entertainment!

[Suze]

I want to go...but need to make sure work will give me the time off seeing as I'm flying to Le Mans a couple of days later!

[MikeHoyer]

Same here, but I made an agreement with work that I don't work sundays in the racing season!

[Suze]

My job title's just changed meaning I now get Saturdays and Sundays off which is ace....but I'm not sure they'll let me have it off if I'm going on holiday, they'll probably change rota

[zac510]

Howdy, can anybody advise on the best way to get to Brands from the Swanley train station?

Is there a bus that goes past there, or should I make up a 'Brands or bust' sign and hitchhike?
I could take my bike on the train too.

[bella]

taxi.. it's about a tenner.
i suppose you could cycle if you were really enthusiastic..

[Suze]

Taxi it...or bike is an option. Search on here, been loads of threads like it before.

[zac510]

I'll cycle to Victoria too, to save the tube fare

If I go with friends I'll split the taxi, if I go on my own I'll ride. Thanks for the help.

It's easy to forget that taxis are available in regional areas of this country.

[ss_collins]

don't bike - fine going to brands but going back to swanley would be abit of a grind up the Downs.

750mc meeting should be good

[Suze]

Yeah would be worth booking in advance tho as when I've come through Swanley never seen a cab just sat there...but maybe they are!

[Rob29]

Cabs were a problem for the A1GP mainly due to the traffic.I wil not be going again until something better is organizied.Back in the 80s when I was younger I used to get a cab from Swanley with no problem,and walk back to Eynesford station which is downhill!

[Suze]

Yeah but for 750....can't see it being a problem, doesn't really generate the traffic like A1 did does it?!! Taxi would be fine.

[kickstart]

I would agree with SS Collins, Brooklands (which is only about 1/2 mile from Weybridge Train Station - 25 mins from Waterloo in London) is an amazing place to visit.
Part of the track is still there and the museum is first class and is so evocative - if you get the chance to visit I am sure you will be really impressed.

[Bodysnatcher]

Originally Posted by zac510

Howdy, can anybody advise on the best way to get to Brands from the Swanley train station?

Is there a bus that goes past there, or should I make up a 'Brands or bust' sign and hitchhike?
I could take my bike on the train too.

repost from last time it was aired with a wee edit

Local opinion on trains to Brands.

Although I don't need to use public transport anymore, being a local to Brands Hatch, I've always advocated getting the train to Longfield. Only once an hour from Victoria @ 41 past the hour on a Sunday (Via Bromley South/Swanley) It's only roughly 3 miles (basically flat, so walkable? or easily cycleable) to the paddock gate and there used to be a cab office in Station Road, Longfield. It looks like from yell.co.uk that they've moved a bit further away, so calling them about their Sunday service would be in order.
I used to walk the last third of that road and most of the time would get a lift - admittedly I was wearing marshal's overalls.

So, 41 past the hour, first train 0741, takes 42 minutes to Longfield.

The stop before Longfield is Farningham Road as favoured by the younger cyling SnapperBaz, as far as I can see it just means you cycle further with that ruddy long hill to get up if you use the main road or the lanes to get lost in if you try the back roads.

Swanley, in turn the stop before Farningham, although it will cost more in taxi fares has much more frequent trains. Cycling distance 'bout 6 miles.

I don't think Borough Green (as suggested by some)offers anything, since it's still only an hourly service and is twice the distance (than Longfield) away. Again there's a hill for cyclists to overcome.

Finally, Eynsford, where I live, train from Blackfriars via Bromley South & Swanley - but a different line from Farningham/Longfield.
Never seen taxis at Eynsford station. Looks like summer 06 has a lot of work being done on Sundays, direct trains don't seem possible. Distance about 4 miles (again mostly uphill!).