Silverstone/Stowe - 30th July 2014
On a perfect summer’s day 36 members met at the
Bell for the short coach drive to Silverstone. However, this took longer than
planned as road works in Buckingham meant a long but pleasant diversion.
Our official guide joined us at the Visitors Centre and the coach ferried us to 3 of the interesting sites round the track. The vast size of Silverstone became apparent as we crossed over the bridges to the centre of the track. Our first visit was to the control centre. From here the whole of the track is constantly monitored using many video cameras. Nothing moves without permission from here. We were also told about how the track had developed from the 3 runways that were left at the end of World War 2 until the present time. The current area actually contains several race tracks and the F1 track uses some of them. The track is divided up for other events, for driving experience days and off-roading. To add to our knowledge Joan Doubble spoke about her experiences of working at Silverstone in the 1950’s. At that time straw bales were used to provide the safety barriers. There have been many changes since then with the track running between wide grass areas, steel barriers and fencing providing safety for the modern races. Whilst here, several members attempted action shots of the fast moving cars on the track in front of the control centre.
The new Silverstone Wing was our next stop. This is where the ground floor is made up of the garages for the F1 race and hospitality areas on the top floor. It is a stunning piece of architecture which suits the engineering and high tech theme running through the site. We were able to stand on the winner’s podium at the end of the building. Again attempts were made to get the perfect action shot of cars running through the start area.
Finally we were able to go into the garages where the high performance cars and bikes are cared for by a team of highly qualified engineers. I was surprised to feel how hot the tyres were as the cars came in off the track.
Other facilities on the Silverstone site are a dedicated modern hospital, helicopter landing area (they are only allowed to touch down for 30 seconds when ferrying for the F1 race), a school for students wanting a career in engineering and event management, the visitors centre and an enterprise park. Silverstone has activities on virtually every day of the year as well as the few days for the F1 race.
The coach took about 15 minutes to get to the new Stowe Visitor Centre and restaurant for lunch. Many of the group went down to the lake and gardens that were laid out in the 1700’s. Others stayed in the centre enjoying ice creams whilst 2 members had the luxury of a golf style buggy to run round the gardens.
Our official guide joined us at the Visitors Centre and the coach ferried us to 3 of the interesting sites round the track. The vast size of Silverstone became apparent as we crossed over the bridges to the centre of the track. Our first visit was to the control centre. From here the whole of the track is constantly monitored using many video cameras. Nothing moves without permission from here. We were also told about how the track had developed from the 3 runways that were left at the end of World War 2 until the present time. The current area actually contains several race tracks and the F1 track uses some of them. The track is divided up for other events, for driving experience days and off-roading. To add to our knowledge Joan Doubble spoke about her experiences of working at Silverstone in the 1950’s. At that time straw bales were used to provide the safety barriers. There have been many changes since then with the track running between wide grass areas, steel barriers and fencing providing safety for the modern races. Whilst here, several members attempted action shots of the fast moving cars on the track in front of the control centre.
The new Silverstone Wing was our next stop. This is where the ground floor is made up of the garages for the F1 race and hospitality areas on the top floor. It is a stunning piece of architecture which suits the engineering and high tech theme running through the site. We were able to stand on the winner’s podium at the end of the building. Again attempts were made to get the perfect action shot of cars running through the start area.
Finally we were able to go into the garages where the high performance cars and bikes are cared for by a team of highly qualified engineers. I was surprised to feel how hot the tyres were as the cars came in off the track.
Other facilities on the Silverstone site are a dedicated modern hospital, helicopter landing area (they are only allowed to touch down for 30 seconds when ferrying for the F1 race), a school for students wanting a career in engineering and event management, the visitors centre and an enterprise park. Silverstone has activities on virtually every day of the year as well as the few days for the F1 race.
The coach took about 15 minutes to get to the new Stowe Visitor Centre and restaurant for lunch. Many of the group went down to the lake and gardens that were laid out in the 1700’s. Others stayed in the centre enjoying ice creams whilst 2 members had the luxury of a golf style buggy to run round the gardens.