Going to see the qualifying at Silverstone on Saturday - any tips?

[ListersSister]

DP and I will be first timers. What should we do/see/not miss/avoid? What is the food/parking/toilets like? How loud is it?
anything to help make it a fab day for DP would be fab

VERY loud so I'm told

ear plugs!

tis v exciting cos of the noise though!

you can taste it

Ok, ear plugs a definite then

You can tasts what PM - the petrol?!

Maybe too late for this thread - will bump tomorrow

Take some food, don't rely on the snack carts. IME it was chips chips and more chips.

It will be v. loud but it's really thrilling.

You may be a while getting out of the car park onto the main road when you leave, as the infrastructure is pretty crap.

we went to friday practice last year. yes, take ear plugs - dh has ear plugs, ds and I have ear defenders (headphone type) which are about 4 quid in b & q. It's quite breezy in some areas round the track which I suggest you walk all the way round. Also we take packed lunch, tHe food is supposed to be OK (we've never had it) There is literally something for everyone. Baguettes, burgers, chinese, jacket potatoes etc. Wear good comfy shoes. and take binoculars if you have some.

Don't forget the camera!

We went to the the F1 testing at silverstone 2 weeks ago. Which isn't as good as you don't have the atmosphere or the track side activities But it is still a fab day!

you'll know what i mean about the taste - it gets into your chest somehow (mind you we went to the race which is a bit different) but it's v good.

Take a waterproof fold up coat too and loads of suncream (no shade in the seats)

Don't drink the water there and take sun screen and ear plugs, toilets are the sort you dont sit down on I am afraid and food is over priced

Hi there

Do you have a seated ticket or general entry? If general entry get there very early (thinking 6am at least) to get a good position where you can also see a TV screen as it's been really busy the past few years and this year sold out several months ago.

Also take a personal radio so that you can hear what's going on (there is a local silverstone radio channel or Five Live). You can also hear driver interviews, commentary on the support races etc.

Qualifying should be exciting this year, I'm really looking forward to it (and the race!). If you hear of a woman going into labour 2 months early it will probably be me...

DP has seated ticket, I am general admission (but not an F1 nut). I will have a wander about, but am not that fussed about it all thb - sorry! I do want DP to have a good day though.
So:-
earplugs
radio
hat
suncream
mac
water
food
camera
DP's ticket is near the pit straight Copse? - is that good? Where should he wander to see interesting stuff?
How long would it take to walk the circuit?
How long from leaving the stand to get onto the main road?
Ta for the tip about the loos - lovely

theres shows and things going on all round the circuit, so it's hard to tell how long it would take as you stop off for stuff. Hangar straight exilerating watching them go so fast.

how was it then?

Ah, well, DP had a good time. It was loud, yes! Food was pretty shite, toilets good. I saw a bit, but not much as only had a general ticket, am short and no desire to stand in one place from 9am onwards lol!

We walked round the track and DP decided which stand he would like for next year - he will be going with someone else though

Lots of support for Hamilton. Lots of those hooter things. DP saw pre qualifying, qualifying, porsche race and GP2 race. Also did some helicopter spotting . He had a radio, so could hear commentary, and could see goings-on in the pits.

We left before the end of the GP2 race and got out easily. Can see it would take a long time to get out on race day...

Anyway, DP is hooked . It was definitely a good plan and now he knows what he wants from his ticket next year. Wonder if Hamilton wil be World Champ then???

Thanks for all the tips