Silverstone Classics - July 20-22 2012

[ShaunM]

Have found another local site. £30 for the weekend, Dadford Road: http://www.silverstone-campsite.co.uk/other-camping

No showers on this campsite (F1 and Moto GP only)
Says it's normally a field, so I am guessing portaloos
No stewards or security (F1 and Moto GP only)
I want to avoid spending 2 hours each day in a traffic jam...and missing out on the evening entertainment/drinking

The guy I spoke to at Silverstone said the campsite was in good condition and if it was closed due to the weather, then we'd get a refund.

I am British
I have waterproof skin
I am camping at Woodlands
I am taking an inflatable dingy

[Scott J]

Cost of petrol from Glasgow £150, cost for couple camping £90-100, risk of camping in a bog, I'm beginning to wonder if its worth making the trip or just writing of the ticket cots and staying at home. Really could do with some baking weather to dry the ground.

[Gary]

Just got confirmation from Whittlebury with this :

Thank you for booking to stay here at Whittlebury Park during the 2012 Silverstone Classic on 20th to 22nd July.

We are sending you this email to let you know that we will still be open for this event unlike most other sites, but to let you know that the site is wet.

You may have seen on the news that the bad weather over the British Grand Prix has left Silverstone and the surrounding area decimated.

We have some land that was not used for the GP and we will be using this for the classics weekend.

We will try and park as many low cars as possible on hard standing and will endeavour to cause minimal disruption but please bare with us.

Given there are 4 of us, I think £60ish for 2 nights with no need to drive is ok. Weather is looking to brighten up for the weekend, although it's chucking down at the minute !!

Stef - we'll be hard pushed enough with tent/clothes/bbq and stuff in 2 soft tops for any spare firewood !!

[Stef]

OK. So Silverstone campsite. Do we need to pre-book or can we just turn up?

May hold out long as possible - House offer still on too

[trig]

OK this is back on for me after the televised F1 wash out the wife pulled the plug on this weekend but after a bit of persuading and a new tent with bucket bog we are all systems go.. and I managed to bag tickets for the whole family Fri/sat for £50

Looking at booking into Woolands and arriving midday Friday hopefully


Anyone looking for cheapish tickets there are a few on e/bay ,, the odd camping pass has popped up aswell but time is running out for postage!

[ShaunM]

That's excellent news! where's that list....

1. ShaunM (Fri/Sat/Sun) - Camping Woodlands (BOOKED)
2. Gary (Fri/Sat/Sun) - Camping Whittlebury (booked) in MX5 !!!
3. Stef (Fri/Sat/Sun) Camping Woodlands. Will save booking till mid week, or not at all if there is no price difference. House offer also still open
4. DavidEJM (Fri/Sat/Sun) Camping Woodlands most likely.
5. Trig (Fri/Sat/Sun) Camping Woodlands most likely.

Scott, hopefully you'll change your mind and venture down. Weather's been much better this week, the more the merrier. And southern softies like me (with one broken arm) need hard men to show us how it is done! (If not you could post your ticket and we could try and sell it, or you could list on eBay? Hopefully it won't come to that!)

[Stef]

Errr.... According to the Silverstone website, Woodlands camping is now sold out...

[DavidEJM]

Presumably they are not going to open the whole site, because it is pretty big!

I have asked them for clarification, we'll see if I get a response before the weekend.

[ShaunM]

I wrote "booked" on the forum, then just as I was about to go and actually book it, work called and was on the phone for 2 hours. It's now sold out as Stef has said.
So I called Silverstone, the confirmed pre-booked places are sold out (they have spaces which will be available on the day which they or us can't prebook). I tried to get us on (we are a lotus group, spoke to supervisor, etc, but no go)

To save the risk of turning up on the day and being disappointed, I booked here: http://www.whittlebury.com/index.php?pa ... mping.html and click on Silverstone Classic, it brings up a booking form to fill in and email or fax over. I called them straight away after emailing to confirm the place...they took a lot of people from other sites at the F1 weekend because they didn't suffer as bad as some with the wet conditions..woman was rather pleasant and happy..a good sign! Now can rest easy and look forward to a great weekend

So I have now booked Whittlebury to join Gary Stef has also booked Whittlebury. So...

1. ShaunM (Fri/Sat/Sun) - Camping Whittlebury (booked)
2. Gary (Fri/Sat/Sun) - Camping Whittlebury (booked) in MX5 !!!
3. Stef (Fri/Sat/Sun) Camping Whittlebury (booked)
4. DavidEJM (Fri/Sat/Sun) Camping Woodlands most likely.
5. Trig (Fri/Sat/Sun) Camping Woodlands most likely.

[Gary]

I'm no longer Billy no mates then

[DavidEJM]

Well,
Woodlands have sold out of their pre-booked spaces but don't expect to be completely full (it really is a big site),
Dadford Road also have plenty of space, though do say that it is soggy under foot. those in tents will, no doubt, get damp.
I will have another look at Whittlebury and reconsider as it would be nice for a few of us to get together.

[Scott J]

looks like Whittlebury Fri/Sat night for me then. Driving home Sunday evening.

[trig]

My wife has just been on the phone to the marshal at whitleburry and he said the Woodlands site have asked if they can take there campers as the woodland site is under water , they have said no to woolands

I'll be booking Whittlebury when they open in the morning ......... Now were did I leave my dingy

[Stef]

Maybe Woodlands got 'booked out' so suddenly as they closed off available pitch space due to being too boggy or something.

Fingers crossed Whittlebury will turn out good for us all in the end.

[trig]

Just read this on PistonHeads forum

Received this today

CAMPSITE GROUND CONDITIONS ARE WORSENING
Dear Classic Racing Fans,
You will already be aware that abnormally wet weather has caused many Summer Events to be cancelled across the UK. The Silverstone Classic is not at risk and will go ahead as planned. The Campsite has done everything possible to service and prepare the site over the last month so that it can remain open despite these horrendous conditions. However, heavy rain in the past 24 hours has resulted in grass areas within Silverstone Woodlands Campsite becoming extremely waterlogged.
In spite of this unavoidable situation the Campsite will open as planned at 07:00 hours tomorrow, Thursday 19th July.
In view of the state of the ground it may take longer than usual to gain access to the Campsite and we would ask fans to bear with us while we deal with these unprecedented conditions. The local weather forecast indicates a vast improvement in conditions as the weekend approaches. In view of this it would help us if you were able to delay your arrival at the Campsite until the latest possible opportunity.
We would also urge fans not to arrive at the campsite in cherished vehicles or classic sports cars but to arrive in a practical vehicle, if possible one designed to cope with poor ground conditions. The underfoot conditions within the Campsite are extremely wet and muddy.
The Organisers cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to persons or vehicles howsoever caused. This includes any cleaning or valeting costs.
Adequate resources are available to tow vehicles within the campsite area should they need assistance.
We will aim to allow cars to park on grass areas adjacent to camping plots however, if the weather conditions do not improve we will may need to implement further emergency wet weather parking plans which will involve campers having to drop off their camping equipment before driving back out to leave their vehicle in an external car park adjacent to the Campsite where secure parking can be provided on firmer ground.
Those persons displaying classic vehicles inside the circuit are strongly advised to leave their vehicle within the allocated club display areas of the circuit for the duration of the event.
The shuttle service from the campsite to the circuit gate will be fully operational over the weekend.
Please ensure that you come suitably equipped to cope with wet weather conditions. Even if the weather improves it will take time for the underfoot conditions to dry up. Wet weather footwear and clothing are an absolute necessity.
We thank you in advance for your understanding and co-operation.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PRE-BOOKED FANS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE CAMPSITE.
Please click here for additional Woodlands Campsite info.

[Rambo]

Shittlebury bookings stopped on Monday. If you want a pitch you have to turn up on the day and take pot luck

[ShaunM]

Shittlebury bookings stopped on Monday. If you want a pitch you have to turn up on the day and take pot luck

They stop taking bookings WITH ADVANCE PAYMENT 7 days before the event. When I sent the booking form and them called them, they said the sending of the form was for advanced payments really.

I explained we had been let down by Woodlands and they said they would save space for us (I told them 5 vehicles).

[trig]

Shittlebury bookings stopped on Monday. If you want a pitch you have to turn up on the day and take pot luck

They stop taking bookings WITH ADVANCE PAYMENT 7 days before the event. When I sent the booking form and them called them, they said the sending of the form was for advanced payments really.

I explained we had been let down by Woodlands and they said they would save space for us (I told them 5 vehicles).

Whats the plan Shaun ? there are 600 already booked in to whitllebury and lot more to come ,, how are we all going find each other
I wont be in the Elan but will be in a Saab Estate with roof box

Weather looking good so far

[Rambo]

Whittlebury looks really expensive for 2 nights camping. You won't be able to afford any bevvy

Enjoy the 2 mile hike to the race track. Hope they haven't padlocked all the nearest gates again this year.

[Stef]

Have we all swopped numbers??

Looks like Shaun will be going via my place so we will likely arrive together hopefully around 4. Unless others are likely to arrive before us, we will try and bag extra space.