Which rounds to see?

[BJM]

Hi,

After taking the G/F to knockhill to watch the BTCC she has now caught the bug! I'm looking into travelling down to see another couple of rounds next year.

What circuits do you folks suggest I visit for a good day out? It'll br strange watching the BTCC in the sunshine - Knockhill is always a "Wrap up warm" day!

Cheers.

 

[ZBOYD]

If you don't mind long trip, then Brands Hatch is one of the highlights of the year for sure, worth going to at least once in the year as they usually visit it twoce, I went in April, but i'll be watching the second outing to Brands next weekend on TV this time.

However less of a trek would be Oulton Park, my local and still one of the favourite circuits i visit, usually held in the May, so its often warming up by then, its slap bang in the middle of the Cheshire countryside and very pleasant it is too. Not as good for viewing as other circuits in the calendar, but there are some great spots if you don't mind wandering round the circuit. One of the most challenging circuits of the year by far, most of the drivers in the BTCC love it.

Donington Park is worth going to also for the spectator views, you've not seen a BTCC race until you see them flying down the craner curves 3, 4 and 5 abreast

Silverstone because its huge and flat and there is always somewhere to sit down

Im sure folks will add their favourites too.

 

[BJM]

Cheers for that mate - decisions, decisions!

 

[m0rk]

Brands, Donnington, Oulton are my favourites

Good spectating all round

 

[Muzorewa]

Depends how you are doing it. For pure spectating I'd go for Brands every time, followed closely by Donington then either Oulton Park or Thruxton. Last on the list would be Croft and Snetterton.

For a camping weekend I'd go for Donington first followed by Brands, Snetterton and Oulton.

I haven't included Knockhill because you know what to expect there. Mondello Park is the one BTCC circuit I've not been to so can't comment. And you'll notice Silverstone isn't included in the above - neither good nor bad - but I still go there too.

If you fancy camping it would have to be Brands for an overall weekend. If not, there's plenty of hotel accommodation nearby.

So that'll be Brands then!


By the way, what are you doing this weekend?

 

[Vicky M]

thruxton is always worth a laugh. see who has the bottle to take church flatout

Defo brands, the atmosphere is electric.
Donny is cool, although the spectator viewing is fairly limited, depending where you are standing.

haven't been to any others yet, Silvertone next month tho

 

[IainW]

Speaking as someone who drives to nearly all the events from Central Scotland, I'd recommend Oulton Park, Donington Park, Croft and Silverstone as a wee taster to it all. Not too far away from Scotland, 3.5 hours, 5 hours, 3 hours and 6 hours respectively.

Oulton's a beautiful circuit. Sometimes you forget you're at a racing track when it's all quiet, simply because of the scenery. Donington always serves up good racing and standing at the top of the Craner Curves lets you see a lot of the track. Croft's not a great favourite of mine because the facilities are poor, but it's got great viewing from the large grass banks situated round the track. Silverstone gets a lot of stick from people who see it as a flat featureless GP circuit, but I like it. The way they race down the National straight and then have to slam on the anchors for Brooklands is something else. I'm also biased because I can leave my friend's house and be there 10 mins later.

I'd love to give Mondello a proper go next year. Get the ferry from Stranraer and drive down through Northern Ireland into the Republic.

 

[BJM]

Cheers for all the replies folks, I'll just need to see when I can get the time off but i'll definately be doing at least one other plus knockhill next season!

Brian.

 

[Kris]

The first and last race of the season is always a must!

 

[alx_chung]

Great list guys. I too was wondering about what other circuits to go and visit for the BTCC. It would be nice to go a race and not be drenched at some point in the day (thanks to Team RAC for the bright orange poncho's there were a god send at Knockhill )
Alex

 

[Muzorewa]

Great list guys. I too was wondering about what other circuits to go and visit for the BTCC. It would be nice to go a race and not be drenched at some point in the day (thanks to Team RAC for the bright orange poncho's there were a god send at Knockhill )
Alex

....but a bit of spasmodically intermittent rain doesn't half liven up the racing, especially halfway through a race.

 

[JasonP06]

Last on the list would be Croft and Snetterton.

Why Croft Muzorewa? Travelling distance? Croft is my local. I have been going there since 2001 and I have found the atmosphere hard to explain. Maybe it because I have never been to any other.

Speaking of which, to a non-driver who isn't into camping living in the NorthEast which would you recommend for closeness? Knockhill or Oulton? Getting to Newcastle Central is no bother. It is just the time factor.

 

[Muzorewa]

Why Croft Muzorewa? Travelling distance? Croft is my local. I have been going there since 2001 and I have found the atmosphere hard to explain. Maybe it because I have never been to any other.

Speaking of which, to a non-driver who isn't into camping living in the NorthEast which would you recommend for closeness? Knockhill or Oulton? Getting to Newcastle Central is no bother. It is just the time factor.

It's just the spectator facilities and general viewing I think are not as good as other circuits (purely my view, others may disagree). And Snetterton is a circuit I still go to even though the viewing is not good, because it's a good one for camping. Distance is no obstacle for me as long as I can camp or get a cheap hotel nearby.

Knockhill is great if you can get a day that it doesn't rain too much, and you can book a hotel in Dunfermline early enough. If you go next year and get accommodation, we can give you a lift to the circuit. There is no camping at the circuit anyway.

Oulton is a nice circuit, you can get accommodation in Northwich, Winsford or Chester. Again, we could get you to the circuit.

For an overall experience you should get to Brands or Donington

 

[alx_chung]

....but a bit of spasmodically intermittent rain doesn't half liven up the racing, especially halfway through a race.

Oh yea agreed. A bit of rain here and there does spice up the racing a bit.
Watching 3 cars abreast going round the final hairpin in the rain at Knockhill is fun!!
Alex