Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Read an article in the Times on this subject today, but couldn't find it online..(only speculation about F1 coming to Donington).
Richard Phillips who is the Silverstone managing director was at Donington yesterday and confirmed that modifications to the Silverstone to accomodate Moto GP are already past the planning stage. Although currently Silver-eccle-stone, the good news is that his contract runs out next year. Meanwhile Dorna have become increasingly disaffected with Doni, and imo although nothing can be signed yet, this is effectively a done deal for 2010.
I have already aired my feelings on the crap facilities, logistical problems, and poor racing that Donny tends to produce in the main class. Overall, I would welcome a move to Silverstone, despite the fact that Doni is 20 minutes away from where I live.
Pros:
Silverstone is fast, flowing, (with the exception of the Luffield complex, and the dead stop chicane on Woodcote), and produced some blinding races in WSB on the full GP circuit, before they switched to the go cart track.
Facilities are far superior to Donny, and government subsidies have vastly improved access.
Goodbye to the stop start bolt on 'car park' section which completely destroys the rhythm of Doni, and invariably creates processional racing.
Moto GP bikes hammering down into 'bridge'.
No more speculation/excuses about kerosene on the track
Donington is now in the hands of Clear Channel/Live Nation...bike racing is no longer a priority, just currently a nice commercial money spinner - (life after Rossi, JT?) Although Silverstone is run by the BRDC, the good news is that Damon Hill is now president imo a very savvy man, and of course an ex bike racer himself.
No more annual post race excuses from Brian Pallet in the MCN letters page.
Cons:
Silverstone unlike Donington, is a poor circuit for spectators.
No more Craners, and the wonderful parkland section....containing some of the most glorious stretches tarmac in the entire cosmos.
Donington has become even more of a a spiritual home for motorcycling over the last 2 decades, Silverstone is more souless in comparison.
Donington is arguably safer. Still have bad memories of Sheeny's Silverstone crash, (although as a Jarno fanboy, that doesn't prevent me from loving Monza).
What do you think?
Richard Phillips who is the Silverstone managing director was at Donington yesterday and confirmed that modifications to the Silverstone to accomodate Moto GP are already past the planning stage. Although currently Silver-eccle-stone, the good news is that his contract runs out next year. Meanwhile Dorna have become increasingly disaffected with Doni, and imo although nothing can be signed yet, this is effectively a done deal for 2010.
I have already aired my feelings on the crap facilities, logistical problems, and poor racing that Donny tends to produce in the main class. Overall, I would welcome a move to Silverstone, despite the fact that Doni is 20 minutes away from where I live.
Pros:
Silverstone is fast, flowing, (with the exception of the Luffield complex, and the dead stop chicane on Woodcote), and produced some blinding races in WSB on the full GP circuit, before they switched to the go cart track.
Facilities are far superior to Donny, and government subsidies have vastly improved access.
Goodbye to the stop start bolt on 'car park' section which completely destroys the rhythm of Doni, and invariably creates processional racing.
Moto GP bikes hammering down into 'bridge'.
No more speculation/excuses about kerosene on the track
Donington is now in the hands of Clear Channel/Live Nation...bike racing is no longer a priority, just currently a nice commercial money spinner - (life after Rossi, JT?) Although Silverstone is run by the BRDC, the good news is that Damon Hill is now president imo a very savvy man, and of course an ex bike racer himself.
No more annual post race excuses from Brian Pallet in the MCN letters page.
Cons:
Silverstone unlike Donington, is a poor circuit for spectators.
No more Craners, and the wonderful parkland section....containing some of the most glorious stretches tarmac in the entire cosmos.
Donington has become even more of a a spiritual home for motorcycling over the last 2 decades, Silverstone is more souless in comparison.
Donington is arguably safer. Still have bad memories of Sheeny's Silverstone crash, (although as a Jarno fanboy, that doesn't prevent me from loving Monza).
What do you think?
