Formula 1 Testing Days at Silverstone 24-26 June 08 - £12 advance tickets

Former_MSE_Lawrence

What's the deal?

In preparation for the 2008 British Grand Prix, between Tuesday 24th - Thursday 26th June, some of Britain's top F1 drivers and the world's top teams will be descending on Silverstone to test their somewhat nippy cars and get a bit of practice in. Due to F1's burgeoning popularity, the track now charges for tickets to test days (they used to be free until last season), but it's still the cheapest way to see F1 in the flesh in Britain.

How affordable? Where from?

£12 gets you an advance ticket to watch the action for a day (from the spectator stands), and £30 gets you 3 days access. Under-16s go free too.

The easiest way to book advance tickets is via the Silverstone website. Ticket options are listed in red boxes on the top right of the page; simply click the day(s) you want to attend and it'll take you to the booking page.
It's also possible to book by phone on 08704 588 260. Availability is limited, so booking in advance is recommended. It's also slightly cheaper; at the gate, one-day tickets are £15 each, and three-day passes are £40.

Who'll be there?

The promo site touts likely appearances by Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Anthony Davidson, though nothing is set in stone.

Anything Else?

Get directions to Silverstone on its site (also includes the requisite 'Helicopter Landing Application' form for those wondering how to land there )

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calleyw

Sorry to say that is a rip off.

I have been to test days before not in the run up to British GP and it was alway free and I have found others that saying that it was free up until 2006/2007

Some one is cashing in anyway. When we went there where only a couple of cars but of course it is very close to a GP so would be better than when we went.

Oh and take ear plugs even with only one car going around it was very noisy.

Enjoy.

Yours


Calley

Smi1er

Last season they started charging, before then it was free, so where's the bargain

Silverstone used to have three test weeks, one in Feb, one in April and the other 1-3 weeks before the GP. Then in 2005 (I think) that changed to just one week. I went once in Feb and only a Renault was going around... and parts of the track were snow covered:rotfl:

Although all the teams will probably be there, drivers do different days, so Lewis is likely to be there only for one day, especially leading up to the GP, as there is plenty of PR stuff to do.

Be warned that visitors can only really go between Bridge and Copse, and you should try and blag a corporate pass that will allow you access to the centre of the track and access to the pit lane between 1-2pm:D

italiastar

Sorry I agree, another rip-off, not money saving.

Smi1er wrote: »

Last season they started charging, before then it was free, so where's the bargain

Silverstone used to have three test weeks, one in Feb, one in April and the other 1-3 weeks before the GP. Then in 2005 (I think) that changed to just one week. I went once in Feb and only a Renault was going around... and parts of the track were snow covered:rotfl:

Although all the teams will probably be there, drivers do different days, so Lewis is likely to be there only for one day, especially leading up to the GP, as there is plenty of PR stuff to do.

Be warned that visitors can only really go between Bridge and Copse, and you should try and blag a corporate pass that will allow you access to the centre of the track and access to the pit lane between 1-2pm:D

biglugs

Oh and take ear plugs even with only one car going around it was very noisy.

Sorry, I disagree. Extreme noise it what makes the Grand Prix fun!!

blindman

biglugs wrote: »

Sorry, I disagree. Extreme noise it what makes the Grand Prix fun!!

Pardon ?:D

italiastar

calleyw wrote: »

Oh and take ear plugs even with only one car going around it was very noisy.

Totally agree - I now carry several sets in my camera bag after getting ripped off for some sets in Monza. To be fair, Silversone used to give them away - probably to prevent getting sued by Health and Safety. I once didn't wear them and suffered tingling in my hear with certain noises for several years - I guess this got better or my hearing has got worse. I used to Marshal and always wore earplugs when the F1's were out. These cars also have a higer pitched noise which seems worse.

I must agree though - the smell and noise get the adrenaline going.

Labrisse

i like the sound of this!! does anyone know of any cheap hotels that could be booked??

Many thanks

italiastar

Labrisse wrote: »

i like the sound of this!! does anyone know of any cheap hotels that could be booked??

Many thanks

Any travelodge deals ?

TKPeters

italiastar wrote: »

Any travelodge deals ?

Bicester Cherwell Valley M40 is 13 miles away from Silverstone & have rooms for £29 a night, although a sale may come up before June.

Great News that the BBC are going to take over the coverage from next year
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7306123.stm
NO MORE ADVERTS!!:beer:

kizzykizzywizzy

What a shame they've now made it chargeable, I haven't been since before kids, but it was really good, stayed in a B & B in Oxford & made a weekend of it, nice shops in Oxford & Bicester shopping outlet nearish.
Very disapointing as the kids are getting old enough that perhaps we could take them in the next few years, but I wouldn't pay £24 for it, just in case they hated it! & sometimes there are quite long periods with hardly any cars out.