SILVERSTONE The heart of British Motoring Racing, or so the owners would have you believe. Silverstone is a massive place set in 800 acres of old airfield. It's the diverse facilities that make it interesting but it's generally too clinical for anything other than the fastest events. If it's GT racing then you'll at least have plenty of space, but if you go for F1 racing be prepared for hours of waiting to get in and then struggle for a viewing position, as it's inundated by all the armchair fans who get their butts out of a chair for a change. Silverstone does have something in its favour. The facilities are fairly good, although they really need modernising. When visiting take a pair of binoculars. If the run-offs get any wider you'll be viewing from Buckinghamshire, not Northants!! CIRCUIT LOCATION : Silverstone Circuits Silverstone Northants NN12 8TN CIRCUIT CONTACT : tel : 01327 857271 fax : 01327 857663 email : web: www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk
	HOW TO GET THERE from the North M1 South to junction 15A then A43 through Towcester to Silverstone. from the South and East M1 North to junction 14. A5130 Milton Keynes ring round West, then A5 NW, A43 SW. from the West From Banbury cross the M40 J11 on A422 to Brackley, then A43 NE.
	Grand Prix International National SILVERSTONE - track length Grand Prix 3.194 miles 5.14 km International 2.249 miles 3.618 km National 1.639 miles 2.637 km Southern 1.970 miles 3.17 km Historic GP 3.144 miles 5.059 km Stowe 0.796 miles 1.28 km VIEWING - Silverstone is either everything or nothing to a race fan. There's more to see but you see less of it. There's more space, but it's taken up by people who rarely visit another circuit. There's good facilities and good racing. Thankfully the latter generally takes place on the grandstand complex areas. Silverstone is massive. It can also get very windy. Wet weather isn't usually a problem as there's plenty of cover. Due to the circuit size and six layouts we have concentrated on three, Grand Prix, International and National. To visit each circuit page press the circuit button above right. SILVERSTONE GRAND PRIX circuit - track length 3.194 miles 5.14 km START/FINISH A long straight allowing incredible speed on post opening laps. The grid extends into the exit of Woodcote Corner. The outfield is full of grandstands and stepping concrete banking. At most races there's plenty of room, but the better positions are at either end. COPSE CORNER Changed recently and made tighter which has increased the outfield run-off area. The faster, more aerodynamic cars can traverse without lifting off, but all run-wide and can hit the outfield kerbing. Some overtaking is possible particularly when accelerating out towards Maggotts. Outfield viewing only due to infield pit exit which can cause problems in itself. MAGGOTTS CURVE & BECKETTS A left curve flowing into a tighter right curve and tighter left before Chapel. It can be taken without braking, but scrubbing some speed is needed as using the kerbs will upset the cars line. Judged correctly this complex flows. Judged incorrectly and the run-off awaits. Outfield viewing but from a distance. CHAPEL CURVE Chapel is a tight right/left S which slows everyone. The left curve entry kerb is often used to start accelerating along Hangar. Viewing poor. HANGAR STRAIGHT & STOWE CORNER Hangar is the longest straight at Silverstone so cars arrive very fast into Stowe which is now an gentle right and open left to Vale. Overtaking is possible before entry and after the exit. Distant viewing from grandstands, but at F1 meetings forget it as many hospitality areas take up the space. VALE & CLUB CORNER Vale is a short straight with a very sharp left at the end into Club. It's a 90 degree corner requiring hard braking. Immediately on exit a wide line is needed for the rest of Club which is a never ending right as cars accelerate up the straight to Abbey. Outfield banking but little of interest except nearer to the entry point. ABBEY CURVE On the GP circuit this is less of a curve and more a deep chicane with heavy braking required after the straight. Really slows the cars unless they're prepared to use the low kerb on exit. Outfield banking FARM STRAIGHT & BRIDGE CORNER A short straight between Abbey and Bridge but as Bridge is a fairly open curve with downhill entry and uphill exit acceleration is paramount. Bridge is a 90 degree right. Oufield viewing is best. Just past the bridge you can see most of Luffield. PRIORY & BROOKLANDS Out of Bridge is sharp braking for the 90 degree left of Priory. A short burst of speed to a 110 degree left of Brooklands. There's plenty of action here in the closer formulae with overtaking attempts being made in, between and after each corner. Watch from the Luffield outfield or Bridge Corner. LUFFIELD A wide full 200 degree right hander which needs a very careful line to exploit fully. Screw-up Brooklands and Luffield is a nightmare as cars can and do overtake within and exiting the corner. Excellent camera point from the outfield grandstands, but as with everywhere at Silverstone you'll need a very big zoom. WOODCOTE CORNER Cars are still fighting for position from Luffield and building up speed for the start/finish straight. Woodcote is full speed. Outfield grandstands and concrete banking. ACCESS - For most events you can access the paddock on the infield between Woodcote and Copse. Getting close to the cars at major events is difficult, but otherwise of little problem. There's plenty of grandstands, food and toilets. The paddock has a large cafe with shops next door. Walking down to the Racing School there's another cafe and shop. SILVERSTONE INTERNATIONAL circuit - track length 2.249 miles 3.618 km START/FINISH A long straight allowing incredible speed on post opening laps. The grid extends into the exit of Woodcote Corner. The outfield is full of grandstands and stepping concrete banking. At most races there's plenty of room, but the better positions are at either end. COPSE CORNER Changed recently and made tighter which has increased the outfield run-off area. The faster, more aerodynamic cars can traverse without lifting off, but all run-wide and can hit the outfield kerbing. Some overtaking is possible particularly when accelerating out towards Maggotts. Outfield viewing only due to infield pit exit which can cause problems in itself. MAGGOTTS CURVE A left curve flowing into a tighter right curve before Becketts. Somehow cars have to brake whilst changing course, which is always a bad idea from speed, but then this shows the real skill of the pilots. Outfield viewing but from a distance. BECKETTS The little extra distance to Becketts from Maggotts helps with braking but Becketts is a very tight right into the Ireland Esses. The corner apex is level with the outfield kerb of Ireland which means drivers can be seen cutting a little of Becketts apex or Ireland entry. Outfield viewing but from a distance. Be prepared for those drivers who cut too much corner and take a trip onto the outfield. IRELAND ESSES Fairly slow entry after Becketts, but cars accelerate hard and cautiously through this left-right-left series with some corner cutting. Poor viewing TOWER STRAIGHT The fastest part of the International with slip-streaming probably in most races. Limited viewing. FARM & ABBEY CURVE Cars have to lose a lot of speed for this flick left, then 140 degree right which flows through Abbey. Large run-offs, which are needed if too much confidence was shown into the entry point. Outfield banking FARM STRAIGHT & BRIDGE CORNER A short straight between Abbey and Bridge but as Bridge is a fairly open curve with downhill entry and uphill exit acceleration is paramount. Bridge is a 90 degree right. Outfield viewing is best. Just past the bridge you can see most of Luffield. PRIORY & BROOKLANDS Out of Bridge is sharp braking for the 90 degree left of Priory. A short burst of speed to a 110 degree left of Brooklands. There's plenty of action here in the closer formulae with overtaking attempts being made in, between and after each corner. Watch from the Luffield outfield or Bridge Corner. LUFFIELD A wide full 200 degree right hander which needs a very careful line to exploit fully. Screw-up Brooklands and Luffield is a nightmare as cars can and do overtake within and exiting the corner. Excellent camera point from the outfield grandstands, but as with everywhere at Silverstone you'll need a very big zoom. WOODCOTE CORNER Cars are still fighting for position from Luffield and building up speed for the start/finish straight. Woodcote is full speed. Outfield grandstands and concrete banking. ACCESS - For most events you can access the paddock on the infield between Woodcote and Copse. Getting close to the cars at major events is difficult, but otherwise of little problem. There's plenty of grandstands, food and toilets. The paddock has a large cafe with shops next door. Walking down to the Racing School there's another cafe and shop. SILVERSTONE NATIONAL circuit - track length 1.639 miles 2.637 km START/FINISH A long straight allowing incredible speed on post opening laps. The grid extends into the exit of Woodcote Corner. The outfield is full of grandstands and stepping concrete banking. At most races there's plenty of room, but the better positions are at either end. COPSE CORNER Changed recently and made tighter which has increased the outfield run-off area. The faster, more aerodynamic cars can traverse without lifting off, but all run-wide and can hit the outfield kerbing. Some overtaking is possible particularly when accelerating out towards Maggotts. Outfield viewing only due to infield pit exit which can cause problems in itself. MAGGOTTS CURVE A left curve flowing into a tighter right curve before Becketts. Somehow cars have to brake whilst changing course, which is always a bad idea from speed, but then this shows the real skill of the pilots. Outfield viewing but from a distance. BECKETTS The little extra distance to Becketts from Maggotts helps with braking but Becketts is a very tight right into the Ireland Esses. The corner apex is level with the outfield kerb of Ireland which means drivers can be seen cutting a little of Becketts apex or Ireland entry. Outfield viewing but from a distance. Be prepared for those drivers who cut too much corner and take a trip onto the outfield. CLUB STRAIGHT The fastest part of National with slip-streaming probably in most races. Infield viewing, although too fast for any action. Get closer to Brooklands. BROOKLANDS Superb corner not least because cars try to scrub speed whilst maintaining or improving position after Club. A 100 degree left into the Luffield complex. Get a good spot early as many fans know what can happen. You can see some real wheel to wheel shoot-outs with pushing and shoving commonplace in saloons. LUFFIELD A wide full 200 degree right hander which needs a very careful line to exploit fully. Screw-up Brooklands and Luffield is a nightmare as cars can and do overtake within and exiting the corner. Excellent camera point from the outfield grandstands, but as with everywhere at Silverstone you'll need a very big zoom. WOODCOTE CORNER Cars are still fighting for position from Luffield and building up speed for the start/finish straight. Woodcote is full speed. Outfield grandstands and concrete banking. ACCESS - For most events you can access the paddock on the infield between Woodcote and Copse. Getting close to the cars at major events is difficult, but otherwise of little problem. There's plenty of grandstands, food and toilets. The paddock has a large cafe with shops next door. Walking down to the Racing School there's another cafe and shop.
The information on this page cannot be guaranteed for accuracy and is intended as a guide only. Please ensure you check with event websites and organisers before travelling.