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F1 Test Days


BKen1

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I'm a F1 fan, have watched it for years on tv, have only been to one race.

I have watched testing and practice on tv and find it boring, if I was in area and it was cheap I might consider going to testing, but I'd not put myself out.

A race weekend holds much more interest, although it's eye wateringly expensive, but I thought worth the effort for one trip.

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Hi

We went to the Friday practice day at Silverstone a few years ago was bitterly cold and rained all day, so only saw a couple of cars go out. Did however happen to be in Monaco also a couple of years ago on qualifying day and even though not inside, the atmosphere was tremendous, wish we had tickets now but was still good.

 

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I guess if you can't get tickets for the race, the practise is the next best thing.

 

went to british Gp at Silverstone, many years ago. Great atmosphere .

Was there the year Jonny Herbert won! And Schumacher took Damon Hill of the track!

The only reason we have TV in van, is to follow the races! Even if we have to watch it in German

PJay

 

If a REAL fan of F1 You should go at least once in a lifetime. Agree the cost is now very high, but some one has to pay towards the cost!

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To answer the OP's question, test days are not all that exciting. F1 teams are allowed only specific time to test the cars on circuits and the happen at various time through the year.

 

What you see is one car at a time going round the track, testing their various systems.

 

Robert

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Silverstone was an annual pilgrimage for many years but after a couple of years we changed to Thursday / Saturday practice days, until they changed practice day, then became Friday / Saturday.

We were always able to roam allowing us to view the cars at various points around the track.

 

On Race day, roaming is virtually impossible as people set up for the day, so you are often restricted to the same view all day.

Then it was back home to watch the actual race on TV.

 

 

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My English friend "The Duchess of Frome" is in OZ at present and we are taking her to the Melbourne race in a few weeks. Have been before and enjoyed the noise etc but you have no understanding of the strategy and therefore how the race will play out. I find the TV a much bette option. As for watching the practice I would not bother. There is also too long between events on race day with all the hype happening on the finish line that is half a lap away from the general admission area that is just barely affordable. Cheers,
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Hi Brian;

If you are or can be in the area and you can afford to go to an official test session then give it a try.

I've followed F1 since 1961, maybe earlier.

It's changed a lot obviously, but if you are hooked that's it.

I decided it was too expensive to go to GPS years ago, having seen my heroes, Clark, Peterson, Senna et al . An official test session could still tempt me Barcelona particularly .

I would say that you will see bursts of activity followed by periods of inactivity, you won't know what's going on but at the end of the day you'll either be hooked or able to move on to something else.

The sight, sound and smell will get you I think!

Enjoy

Alan b

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Thanks for all your replies ..Ive decided to book for next week and will travel up the day before stay at Aire 340 then drop into Bacelona and do the same on the way back 3/4 day trip via Penisclola.

 

Will do a follow up post

 

Brian K

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well we had a fabulous trip stayed at Aire 340 on the way up 13€ all inclusive wifi elect etc ..a bit near the road but for us it was a 6 hr drive so a good stop .Off next day 2.5 hrs to the track. Circuit Catalan is so easy to stroll around ended up in the grandstand overlooking the pits ..well for me the action was great . Lots of action ,pics and videos . .Wife wanted to see Lewis ..only saw his head.

That evening was recommended by another MHomer an Aire at Santa Coloma De Cervello (No17 Vacarious) The old village is a worth a visit . Was told you can get the train to Barcelona 10 min.trip max ,so will be doing that next time we visit.

Now have the bug want to do a Race day ...

 

thanks to all

 

Brian K

Hamilton_Merc.JPG.efc00d24e34c6e260f21634e3f9a0afe.JPG

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crocs - 2017-03-10 7:44 PM

 

Glad you enjoyed it. A really good one (OK, not F1) with a motorhomes is Le Mans 24 Hours in June. The camp site is right in the middle of the action.

 

Great idea going to put it on my to do list thanks Crocs.....We usually got to France in summer anyway .

 

Brian K

 

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Hi I went to Le Mans in 2015 and had a great week. The campsite is a bit!!! crowded but it is cheap, €82 general admittance, €60 Beausejour campsite( 50yds from Porsche curves) for the week this year if you get tickets from A.C.O. at www.lemans. org. 90 per cent sure I will be going again this year.

Regards David

PS+\-£125 for a weeks enjoyment ,not bad

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davidmac - 2017-03-10 10:09 PM

 

Hi I went to Le Mans in 2015 and had a great week. The campsite is a bit!!! crowded but it is cheap, €82 general admittance, €60 Beausejour campsite( 50yds from Porsche curves) for the week this year if you get tickets from A.C.O. at www.lemans. org. 90 per cent sure I will be going again this year.

Regards David

PS+\-£125 for a weeks enjoyment ,not bad

Thanks davidmac great info ....

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crocs - 2017-03-10 6:44 PM

 

Glad you enjoyed it. A really good one (OK, not F1) with a motorhomes is Le Mans 24 Hours in June. The camp site is right in the middle of the action.

 

Depends which campsite you choose. There are many, all at different prices with different facilities. Some are cheap and just a field, some cost more and have power provided with entertainment laid on, and almost anything in between. If you want to go, do your research first and get the level of campsite facilities you want/need.

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YorkshireGlobecar - 2017-03-12 11:30 AM

 

crocs - 2017-03-10 6:44 PM

 

Glad you enjoyed it. A really good one (OK, not F1) with a motorhomes is Le Mans 24 Hours in June. The camp site is right in the middle of the action.

 

Depends which campsite you choose. There are many, all at different prices with different facilities. Some are cheap and just a field, some cost more and have power provided with entertainment laid on, and almost anything in between. If you want to go, do your research first and get the level of campsite facilities you want/need.

images.jpg.b4fc65d042f4a4052f93cee23a30668e.jpg

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Looking forward to Silverstone again this year, as new cars should make things a bit more interesting .

 

Total cost of tickets this year was just short of £700, including Stowe B grandstand tickets, motorhome pitch with electric from Wednesday to Monday.

 

It's expensive so we treat the event as a mini holiday, enjoying the live music, bars, cinemas etc that's provided.

 

Roll on 26th March as both F1 & Moto GP both kick off !

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