The Motor Forum

DaveGibson · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:12 pm Post subject: Donington - again

After at least two final deadlines, Castle Donington had been given yet another two weeks to come up with the funds to get next year's British GP sorted.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8300268.stm

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:55 am Post subject:

The other serious problem is that the 2010 British GP (wherever it's held) is on the same day as the World Cup Final. If one were cycnical, one would detect the hand of Ecclestone in that.

Sav · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:58 am Post subject:

How has Gillet's park and ride system for 100,000 people gone down?

Just get the race back to Silverstone, its the logical place for Formula One's needs.
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Big Blue · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:04 am Post subject:

Eff One · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:11 am Post subject:

I do wish Gillett would fuck off and take his shady finances with him.

Come on Bernie, cut him dead and hand the BGP back to Silverstone where it belongs.
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"Racing is life. Everything before and after is just waiting." Steve McQueen

Pkh72 · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject:

Apparently the two week extension isn't another stay of execution from Bernie. Gillet and his shambles have been found in breach of contract and the two weeks extra they have is what is stipulated in the contract.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79409

Whatever the case it's a crying shame for the circuit itself, it's my local circuit being only 20 minutes away from me, and i have a lot of historical memories from the place, so seeing it butchered and expecting it to be left in a dug up mess is a shame.

Having said that it's been run by muppets for years. I don't think the toilet blocks have seen any enhancements since i used to go with my family in the late 70's for example.

Mike Amos · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:55 am Post subject:

Gillet seems to be a bit of a waste of space. All that mess he's made of the circuit, enough hot air to fill Wembley stadium and nothing to show for it.

They should have pointed him in the direction of his nearest job centre and given him a bus ticket. One way.

Even if he does get the finance thing sorted, the track and facilities will never be ready on time. I have also been to the track and the toilets were an embarassment then, for an F1 meeting he would be lynched by outraged spectators.
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Mark · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:59 am Post subject:

If it is done correctly (unlikely, I know), I would like to see Grand Prix being held at Donington again. Silverstone may have improved recently but it's facilities are still nothing special. It's much closer/easier to get to for me, too.

Blarno · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:41 am Post subject:

I was going to ask what's wrong with Donny?
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Big TC · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:53 am Post subject:

I would imagine Donny would be a nightmare to get in and out of at the GP weekend - remember how bad it was at the Renault day we were at 2 years ago?

As regards the track, I would argue that Donny is better than Silverstone as a spectating venue, so I wouldn't mind the GP being held there.

Can't comment on how the facilities for the hangers-on and beautiful people compare....
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Blarno · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:32 am Post subject:

Every track I've been to is a nightmare to get in and out of on a major race day, Oulton Park being a particular pisser when the Touring Cars were there. One of the benefits of being a marshal was early entry and a seperate exit!

I think a lot of people are opposed to Donny for the GP because Silverstone has been the venue for years and they fear change.

Not that it matters one bit to me, I still won't be going to watch it, even if it was at Oulton Park.
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:59 pm Post subject:

The problem is that modifying Donnington to suit current F1 requirements may spoil it for all other uses, whereas Silverstone is a circuit that is already to F1 spec, whatever the senile dwarf might say.

TimR · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject:

Big Blue · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject:

Interesting. Some 20 years ago I wrote my University thesis on "Design Considerations for Motor Racing Circuits" and it came to the conclusion that modern circuits will be designed such that the "hangers-on" and sponsors are well looked after and that the track is designed such that they are unlikely to witness a fatality to spoil their weekend.

Should have got a double first for that, considering the circuits that have been designed in the past 20 years!
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I said FireBRIGADE......

Pkh72 · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject:

Looks like museum at Donington is shut now according to the official site -

http://www.donington-park.co.uk/grand-prix-collection-museum

I was meaning to go there at some point and get some pictures as last time i went without my camera.
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Nothing to see here

TimR · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:38 pm Post subject:

I read an obituary for Tom Wheatcroft in Classic Cars mag this month.

I hadn't realised he passed away.

It's sad that it happened now, with so much strife around the circuit he reopened.

Chris M Wants a V-10 · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

Maybe they will have to sell off exhibits from the museum to pay off the debts incurred in the F1 tender? Sad really
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Skyhook · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject:

DaveGibson · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:36 am Post subject: