Comments on: Brit GP: moving home

By: whatdoiknow

whatdoiknow — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:02:47 +0000

“…the track where this sport started…”

The sport is circuit Motor Racing which started in the UK at Brooklands (oval) and Donington Park (road circuit). Formula One as a championship started at Silverstone in 1950 but the first British Grand Prix was at Donington Park in the 1930’s.

By: Angry American

Angry American — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:42:46 +0000

I’m mad that America doesn’t have a GP, but it’s not surprising, because the rest of my country has become a bunch backwater inbred who think the only kind of racing involves left hand turns. But this is insane! Maybe I’m missing something, but how in the name of god are they going to get Donington up and running in less than two years? I imagine that getting Silverstone up to snuff would be far easier than Donington would be.

But not only that, there is a substantially amount of history that would be lost by leaving Silverstone. Yes, Ayrton Senna had one of the most incredible races ever at Donington, but does that mean that hardly gives it more historical relevance then the track where this sport started.

I hope that the boys on Top Gear start a campaign to save Silverstone, or at least send The Stig out to Bernie’s house. Lord knows what horror that being would bring upon Mr. Ecclestone.

By: Will

Will — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:37:56 +0000

Out of the two I have only been to silverstone but my favourite circuit by far has got to be Brands Hatch. Even for the smallest race meetings there is still a great atmosphere and the circuit has real character in the way it undulates and the challenge it poses for drivers. It’s also the nearest premier race track to London with it being near the m25 and not too far from Gatwick. I just came from the British Grand Prix this weekend (that day will probably stay with me for the rest of my life)so I’m happy as long as the Britain continues to hold a Grand Prix, but personnally, and I don’t think i’m the only one, but I would love to see the Grand Prix back at Brands Hatch.

By: Mega Rory

Mega Rory — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:45:50 +0000

To all you guy’s who are moaning about the race being moved from Silverstone, you need to get over your selves and stop being so British in the way you treat tradition! Donnington is twice the circuit silverstone is Whether you be a Driver, a spectator or if you happen to be watching on the telly! I know it doesn’t have the facilities as of yet, but when it does finally get the facilities it will blow silverstone at the water as a venue!

By: whatdoiknow

whatdoiknow — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:23:03 +0000

I dont want the GP to go to Donington because it will kill the circuit IMO, but:

a) Read my comments above about access roads. Donington’s access is limited by roads within 2 miles of the circuit, over 2 miles its much better than Silverstone.

b) Donington’s current MotoGP pit complex took 4 months to build 2 years ago and that included the demolition of the old buildings. The new pit complex will be a new build I imagine – so 4 months is an over winter job.

c) For drama and excitement watch the Euro GP from 1993 at Donington.

d) Silverstone used to share the race with Brands Hatch which was a much better arena for F1 than a dis-used airfield. Donington is also the historical home of Grand Prix car races in the UK – ask Mercedes Benz and Audi (Auto Union).

By: DonnyFan

DonnyFan — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:32:11 +0000

Firstly, I am a great Donnington fan as it was the first circuit I went to as a kid. However, last time I went (for a Renault World Series day last year) It took as hours of cueing in the car to get in and hours to get out. Compare this to yesterday at Silverstone, a total of ten minutes cueing (on the way in and the way out).

There just isn’t the road infrastructure to support large numbers at Donnington and with the gurrent (& probably futire) government’s attitude to road building (esp. in the loverly rural environment around Donnigton) I can’t see this changing.

Come on Bernie, put childish feelings aside and leave us our Grand Proix where it should be…..

By: dominic

dominic — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:46:05 +0000

R.I.P silverstone

By: dominic

dominic — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:45:34 +0000

How the hell do you people think that you will get to donnington? when the roads get blocked up with traffic for moto gp or british touring cars.
I remember a couple of years ago going to doinngton to see the touring cars and we had to wait for about 2 hours in choco-blok teaffic.
seriously how are they going to get at least 90,000 fans their?

By: Jack H

Jack H — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:02:03 +0000

No other Grand Prix can match the drama and excitement of Silverstone and niether will Donnington.

By: Nick P

Nick P — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:19:15 +0000

Donington hasn’t got a hope of holding the British GP in 2010. Even if they moved the diggers in tomorrow there is no way all the work involved in building a new track lay out and pits complex and stands.

Look how long it takes to build a football stadium or skyscraper or anything else large for that matter. You can guarantee there will be clauses in Bernie’s contract with Donington. If it isn’t ready in time it won’t hold the event. Look what happened at Brands Hatch when it was awarded the British GP.

This will go one of two ways. The 2010 British GP will either be at Silverstone because Donington isn’t ready or there WON’T be a British GP which is really what Bernie wants because foreign countries have to pay a heck of a lot more for the right to stage races.