Spectating at Donington

**BertMk2** · 21 Jul 2003, 12:49 (Ref:667075)

I'm going to the DTM round at Donington next weekend - can anyone tell me where the best places are to watch from? I haven't been to Donington before and need a couple of pointers. Cheers.

jase · 21 Jul 2003, 12:55 (Ref:667083)

My personal choice is to watch from the banking at "The Old Hairpin", you can see them coming through the 'Craner Curves'.

There is also Redgate, this is first corner and apart form the pit staight and part of the pit lane the only excitment will be the start.

**Craig** · 21 Jul 2003, 12:57 (Ref:667087)

Which track are they using? If they're using the full 'GP' course then the Chicane going onto the Melbourne Loop is a pretty good place. Otherwise agree about the Old Hairpin - where you can watch from the inside of the track or the outside...

dscwall · 21 Jul 2003, 13:15 (Ref:667114)

our usual routine is to park on the inside overlooking the Old Hairpin.wander off through the tunnel to the paddock, have a good look around and then mosey down to the first corner for the start.then a leisurely stroll down the outside of the circuit(Craner Curves) to the Old Hairpin and up the hill eventually to return infield via the tunnel at Coppice.Viewing from the outside at the chicane /entrance to the Melbourne Loop can be exciting, but you do have a limited view.
Some people don't like Donington, but along with Cadwell Park I think its one of the best circuits in the UK.Of course if you like flat featureless autodromes with restricted views you will prefer Silverstone
If you get bored with the racing its always interesting to compare attendance at the track with the Sunday Market behind the circuit at Redgate, and this weekend also the Toy and Train fair in the exhibition centre.Can be quite enlightening as to the popularity of the sport!

**BertMk2** · 21 Jul 2003, 13:31 (Ref:667140)

Quote:

Originally posted by Craig Antill
Which track are they using? If they're using the full 'GP' course then the Chicane going onto the Melbourne Loop is a pretty good place. Otherwise agree about the Old Hairpin - where you can watch from the inside of the track or the outside...

They're using the GP course - I'll probably use the morning warm ups as a chance to wander about and find a good vantage point. Thanks for the tips everyone!

My next problem is dragging myself out of bed on a Sunday morning at some ridiculous hour......

garcon · 21 Jul 2003, 14:04 (Ref:667172)

I'd say the Old Hairpin, viewing from the inside of the track up on the hillside - you can see them coming down Craner, through the Old Hairpin, up the hill to McLean's and beyond.

I imagine The Esses is fairly spectacular too, though I've never been out there myself.

**Woolley** · 24 Jul 2003, 01:05 (Ref:669904)

Back in the old days I used to sit at Hollywood (between Redgate and the top of the Craners) which gets most of the S/F straight, through the Hairpin and the exit of McLaens to Coppice. I think new banking and hotility units may have spoiled some of that, but it's still pretty good place for following tha action.

pmoloney · 24 Jul 2003, 15:40 (Ref:670417)

Agree that the banking on the inside of craners is spot on. The company I work for had a box in the craner suites last year, but they aren't too hot as you don't really see that much of the track. This year we have a box at Goddards overlooking the back of the grid so it should be a belter!!

**bella** · 24 Jul 2003, 15:46 (Ref:670421)

echoing everyone with the old hairpin really. especially with single seaters you can really see who's on it and who's driving like a feminine participant, and there's usually some action there.

the chicane before the melbourne hairpin is good for action too. and you're pretty close to the cars too.

walking all the way round the track is a good thing to do, because we all have different favourite places for different reasons. there's no shortage of places to go.

paulzinho · 24 Jul 2003, 20:31 (Ref:670566)

Up by Coppice is also pretty good as you can see most of the circuit from some of the banking they've put up there.

But I do like to see them coming through the Craner Curves and down into the Old Hairpin!

PaulSands · 25 Jul 2003, 07:57 (Ref:670878)

anywhere on the inside overlooking the craner curves,old hairpin, starkeys bridge,schwantz and macleans...if you want to get good clear photos get into the paddock and shove your lens through the fencing at the exit of the melbourne hairpin

Skippy · 25 Jul 2003, 10:33 (Ref:670954)

Whats Donny like for taking photos. are these locations listed eg Old Hairpin good for taking pictures, or is thier loads of catch fencing?

PaulSands · 25 Jul 2003, 10:41 (Ref:670957)

go on the inside and its not too bad..of late there had been extra fencing I think for the Concerts and Moto Gp but you can get on the inside of the curves and get some nice shots coming down the hill...outside of the Old Hairpin if you have a decent lens you'll be ok..inside at Macleans is good and inside at Redgate, especially first lap

...definitely the best for detailed close up, see the drivers eyes touch is the Melbourne loop on the paddock side...first 7 pictures here http://www.paulsands.org/don030629.htm were from that spot

**BertMk2** · 25 Jul 2003, 11:26 (Ref:671007)

The weather's looking a bit dodgy for Sunday - I presume Donington is as bad as any other track when it rains (totally exposed, windy etc etc). I'd better dig out the wet weather gear so I can do the complete 'I may look like a total prat but at least I'm dry' bit. However bad it rains it can't be as bad as Mondello was last time I was there.

I really don't know why I put myself through this - clearly I'm insane.

I'll probably lurk around by the old hairpin for the warm ups, go for a wander about while there's nothing going on out on the circuit and then try and find the 'ideal' spot for the race.

PaulSands · 25 Jul 2003, 12:36 (Ref:671059)

There is at least a bit of contour to the circuit so if the winds in the right direction there can be relief...having said that the F3 meeting back in April? was f.f.f.f.lippin freezing

PaulSands · 25 Jul 2003, 12:50 (Ref:671069)

Sundays forecast for Ashby De La Zouch, which is the next habitable town west is Partly Cloudy High 20 Low 10 picture is of sun with a little bit of cloud

**BertMk2** · 25 Jul 2003, 13:14 (Ref:671080)

I hope that's right! I checked the BBC site and it was a black cloud with rain drops falling out of it.

Either way I'll take my wet weather stuff just in case - I've got plenty of junk to cart about anyway (camera bag etc) so a little bit more won't do any harm.

PaulSands · 25 Jul 2003, 13:26 (Ref:671089)

mine was Yahoo so who knows

**BertMk2** · 28 Jul 2003, 09:36 (Ref:673097)

Thanks for the tips everyone! I had a good old wander about (I don't think I've walked so much in ages). I ended up watching and taking photos from various points around the circuit - mostly Macleans, the old hairpin, goddards and the esses (that's a lot of walking).

I was quite impressed with the circuit as a whole, there seems to be good views from just about everywhere, parking on the infield was a bonus as well - dump the car in the middle then you don't have to carry too much junk about with you - just nip back to the car every now and again.

I think I may have got carried away with the photos though - I used 5 rolls of film - that's gonna hurt when I get them developed.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sebring Spectating....	RickP:Clio51	Trackside	6	7 Mar 2006 16:40
Bored of just spectating?	Asp	Trackside	1	7 Oct 2005 16:18
Spectating Dilema	PaulSands	Trackside	7	1 Jul 2003 17:09
Rally GB spectating	JAG	Rallying & Rallycross	5	10 Oct 2002 08:00