First time at Donnington Park

berto46 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Karma :

I have bought my tickets for Donnington which will be my first visit. So I am wondering if anyone has a bit of advice, in particular:-

I live in Wirral so am wondering what time to set off, I know I can look at autoroute but I want to include waiting for parking etc. What time do people get to the track for??
Is it better to take a sh1t load of butties or do they have a burger van??!!
What part of the track is best to go??
What is the traffic like getting away from Donnington??

Im sure there are many other questions but for now thats all I can think of!

Thanks in advance Smile

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

berto46 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Karma :

[quote="Silver"
The earlier you get there, the less you will have to queue. It's that simple really. Track action (the warm ups) will probably start 9-10am. Getting in is no where near as bad as getting away afterwards (because everyone will arrive at different times).

[/quote]

What time does the track open for??

Cheers for all the info, I didnt realise you could walk around the circuit! Embarassed

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Dunno, earlier than I'd ever want to get there! Probably around 8am I would think. I'd aim for 9:30-10ish if I were you. Some tracks you can't get all the way round (e.g. Thruxton) but you can at Donington, both inside and outside. Your feet will ache by the end of the day! Wink

berto46 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Karma :

Thats another one......

Should I take binoculars!!?? LMAO!! (no, but seriously!)

How far are you away from the trackside??

Scouse · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Karma :

Not very far away at all, can get pretty close virtually all the way round. It's a track that I'd rate highly for spectator veiwing.

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Yeah, I don't know any track I'd take binoculars too! Donington's fine for the naked eye!

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

Seems to be the luck of the draw how easy you get out. First time I went in the 500GP days in the car with my Dad, took something like 3 hours just to get to the gates. During that time we saw 1 young lad age about 17 directing the traffic. He wasn't faring too well against a couple thousand irate drivers. When we finally got out of the gate we saw 3-4 lazy coppers sitting on their arses, leaving the lad to it Rolling Eyes

Another time in the car it took us about 30 minutes to get out, but we were parked close to the exit.

Then again another time on the bikes it took us 2 minutes to get out.

Top tip is be very aggressive, it's a game of chicken getting out of a racetrack carpark, usually the other person will flinch first. Sometimes they don't though, as I saw 2 4x4 owners find out at last years Brands BSB. Laughing

chris___ · Brolly Dolly Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Karma :

If you'regoing by bike get some left wrist excercises donw before the race Shocked

Seriously, holding the clutch in for about an hour none stop while ou bimble out through the traffic is extremely painfull!
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lardyboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Karma :

Hi,

First time trip to the GP in 15 years so wondering where bike parking is in relation to track on race day. HEard stories that its now miles away and I'm a lazy git so dont fancy a hike when I get there.

Any useful info much appreciated

Cheers
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tony532 · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 May 2004 Karma :

hi expect to be treated like cattle the whole time you are there.

the toilet facilities are terrible.

there are plenty of burger vans at 3 pound a burger .

you need to leave as soon as the motogp race has finished to stand a chance of getting out of there within an hour and thats on a bike.

the best place to sit/stand is near the first corner as there is a huge video screen there.
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Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

TOM M · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Karma :

I was tempted to go, but it just seems far too pricey to justify imo
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Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

lardyboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Karma :

Cheers Silva,

Coming over from Guernsey on the Thursday and travelling up to Cheshire ovrnight. Friday planning to go through Wales and come out near Hereford and head over to Donington to stay at some friends. Maybe go to the track on Saturday to wath or anybody suggest any good routes to play on for the day. Want to get as many miles on as I can before heading back to the island on Monday and its 35mph speed limit !!!
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If it ain't goin fast enough just throw more money at it !!

Dark · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Karma :

berto46 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Karma :

Just like to thanks you lot above for the advice for the day last Sunday. We had a great time even down to the track invasion!!

Laughing