Silverstone Sunday 9th September 2012

Silverstone was the venue for The Spectator's latest meeting as I ventured to the Northamptonshire/Buckinghamshire border for the second day of a 2 day British Formula 3 and British GT meeting organised by the BRSCC. Glorious sunny weather at last in the UK made for a pleasant day watching even if the traditional Silverstone wind did cool it down a bit later in the day. 9 races in total with the centre piece of the day being a 3 hour race for the British GT championship. Double headers for British Formula 3, UK Formula Ford, Ginetta G5 and single races for the Volkswagen Cup and bizarrely the JK Asia Racing Series,which are rebranded Formula BMW cars. Yes we are living in strange times motor sport wise with an Asian based series having 3 rounds in Europe and the fact that there were only 8 cars on track for a 10 lap race on the 3.6 mile GP circuit begs the question-why? Indeed there were only 11 Formula Fords and 15 Formula 3 cars aswell and after seeing the same package at Rockingham in June, it's sad to report that both championships haven't increased grid size. The sheer lack of cars on such a large circuit circuit led to some long waiting between laps and it wasn't a surprise to see a very thin crowd at Silverstone.
Soulless is the way I would describe Silverstone on Sunday and it hardened my attitude to the fact that it's becoming pointless watching meetings on the new GP circuit aside from the GP itself. I watched from Club corner for most of the day but only from viewing in a "disabled" grandstand that was left open as the the main stands were closed.
It was good to see a 30 car grid for the British GT championship and decent grids for Ginetta and VW Cup. The GT race though suffered through the new for this year buzzword-"respecting track limits" as a plethora of penalties were handed out throughout the race for drivers putting 4 wheels over the kerbs and observers must have been very busy contacting race control to report them. The large tarmac run offs at Silverstone mean that often the quickest line through a corner leads to cars drifting off track. The modern design of circuits has led to this and it is becoming tiresome. I don't write results in the programme now and wait until I get home to check how many positions have been switched around.
Not a great day to be honest which is a shame after some very good meetings lately-you can't win them all.....
Admission was £15.20 bought in advance in May. A4 size Programme was £5 but got mine free (thanks Ken!)

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