Silverstone redevelopment 2010

[mattt]

Originally Posted by mickey29

I am really confused by the second picture. Where was it taken from and where is that grandstand located? It doesn't look like any part of Priory...

i think the bridge over the wellington straight is just to the left of the picture. and the grandstand is on the inside of the exit of bridge

[brands]

It was taken from the Luffield Terrace, at the Bridge corner end. The grandstand you can see is the Priory stand with it's roof off ( all the grandstands are roofless over winter). The tarmac running through the centre of the picture is Priory corner.

[mickey29]

Many thanks, I was confused by the angle as I couldn't see the Brooklands Hospitality and BRDC Grandstand, just straight through to the trees behind Copse.

[Tim the Grey]

The toilet block will be the one halfway from Copse, up to Becketts...

I was allowed in the 'new' bit, as a punter, for Friday Britcar practice. The marshals on Saturday were more switched on, and stopped me, and my 15 year old. I was glad he got to see things from there, if only for that practice session. Great shots from there, through Bridge.

[JurekB]

This has just appeared on the Silverstone Facebook page.

"the old Bridge section of the circuit has been decommissioned and this has been sanctioned by the BRDC - however please note that the tarmac will still remain intact and not be removed. This decision was not taken lightly but with the development of The Silverstone Wing and the new pit lane exit, the Bridge section of the Grand Prix Circuit has been made redundant. The banked area that you have shown in your photo will open up the track at Luffield and will become a new spectator area bringing fans closer to the action."

[mickey29]

Silverstone appear to have been somewhat economical with the truth. I posted a reply on their Facebook page.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by JurekB

This has just appeared on the Silverstone Facebook page.

"the old Bridge section of the circuit has been decommissioned and this has been sanctioned by the BRDC - however please note that the tarmac will still remain intact and not be removed. This decision was not taken lightly but with the development of The Silverstone Wing and the new pit lane exit, the Bridge section of the Grand Prix Circuit has been made redundant. The banked area that you have shown in your photo will open up the track at Luffield and will become a new spectator area bringing fans closer to the action."

This was obviously to me when I visited the Silverstone website the other day. They are advertising tickets for a seating area which will virtually slice across the pre-Abbey chicane entrance to the bridge section. It'll probably be another temporary scaffold type structure built over some of the tarmac.

Plus what they say about the track is probably quite true, there's plenty of space to build more viewing area's on Priorys gravel traps, so there's no need to fetch the tarmac up.

[Craner Curves]

It's a bit hysterical on there isn't it. I was more offended by Abbey curve being obliterated in 1994, rather than what they've done this winter.

[rdjones]

Bump well the new Wing is now open and was at Silverstone yesterday for FIA GT's.

The new is very impressive, however they lack one thing some public loo's in the new paddock, but as my mate said it is not for use, it is for the VIP's at the Grand Prix etc.

However the thing that did seem odd was heading for the old paddock and there being nothing there, however Silverstone did but buses on so you could get from the old paddock to the new one.

But what I would say is that there are some really good new spots to take photo's we didn't get chance to try them all.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by rdjones

However the thing that did seem odd was heading for the old paddock and there being nothing there, however Silverstone did but buses on so you could get from the old paddock to the new one.

Was there any way to get to the new paddock without using the shuttle bus? Is there another tunnel/bridge or is the only access via the Hanger Straight bridge and round the school circuit.

I'm thinking here about the potential of series like BTCC to use the Southern Circuit and still allow public access for paddock / pitlane walkabout.

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Was there any way to get to the new paddock without using the shuttle bus? Is there another tunnel/bridge or is the only access via the Hanger Straight bridge and round the school circuit.

I'm thinking here about the potential of series like BTCC to use the Southern Circuit and still allow public access for paddock / pitlane walkabout.

Redshoes,
There is no other access to the new paddock.

[mattt]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Was there any way to get to the new paddock without using the shuttle bus? Is there another tunnel/bridge or is the only access via the Hanger Straight bridge and round the school circuit.

I'm thinking here about the potential of series like BTCC to use the Southern Circuit and still allow public access for paddock / pitlane walkabout.

There was the ability to walk through the bit between Becketts and the loop.

[rdjones]

Originally Posted by mattt

There was the ability to walk through the bit between Becketts and the loop.

Which did look a long old hike by the looks of things, as I say we did use the bus, however there did look to be some good points for photo's on the outside of the new loop.

[Peat]

I walked the route of the shuttle bus between Village & Becketts. However, i reckon you must be able to get to the paddock from the Hangar Straight bridge, and around the outside of the Stowe Circuit. Otherwise that's just nutty.

I do hear that they will be installing a new footbridge over the S/F straight in the future.

[White flag man]

Originally Posted by mattt

There was the ability to walk through the bit between Becketts and the loop.

But, if they use the Southern circuit, you won't be able to do that, as that area will be on the outside of the circuit.

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by Peat

I reckon you must be able to get to the paddock from the Hangar Straight bridge, and around the outside of the Stowe Circuit.

Once over the Hangar bridge you had to turn right past the Driving Experience centre and past or through the Heliport which brought you out at Becketts or The Loop. The other way round via Stowe & the Vale appeared to be blocked off due to on going earth works.

The quicker option (which was my choice) was to take a bike!