Silverstone 2012

This is ........... wtf wheres the pics of Absinthe induced vomiting and naked people!??

Had a brilliant time at Silverstone. Well apart from being nearly blown away on Saturday anyway!! Sat at Brooklands/Luffield on Saturday and on the entrace to Abbeys on Sunday. This is my first time at Silverstone for the MotoGP (went to Donington previously). Definitely want to go again!!



Here are some of my boring pics

Still in Edinburgh! No flight last night so had to go to pub. Bit ruff today, and all our luggage is in Orkney. Rock n roll!

What I can remember.



Well it was such a long weekend I'm going have to break it down into pieces.

Firstly I must apologise for the lack of pics of the group, I'm crap when we walk away from the track and never think to get the camera out at camp.



Editing photo's and will post at end in my photobucket account.







Here goes.







My story starts about 6pm on the wednesday, the van is loaded and Mat, Ania, my boy Dan and myself set off,



After a pit stop at Mcd's en route we arrive at siverstone at around 9pm.



At this point I realize the bottle of woods is still in the back of my car, with my mechanic who's van I'd borrowed. ....!



The weather is glorious warm sunshine ans a warm breeze things are looking promising. (just like last year)



Having a spot in mind we head for it, funny not a soul has put up there?



Soon found out why and were moved into another field. Bummer everyone who had phoned would be heading to the wrong place lol



So we found a spot with masses of space and started to make camp.



Pitched the big tent and a party shelter (oh what fun we were gonna have with these)



Cracked open the beers and settled down about 12.30 maybe 1am.







Thursday.







Woken up at 4am by the ....... crows!



It was like a mothers meeting with no order! Noisy .......s if I'd a shot gun with me I swear the skies would have rained black feathers!



Tossed and turned in bed but gave up at 6am the others were awake by now so we had breakfast.



Then set about setting up the rest of camp ready for the arrival of others.



By midday the camp is set,



Big Andy McD (some of you Americans know Andy from Indy a few years ago) has been on the phone and is en route.



Pete n Debs have let me know their in Brum and will be here with Wills in the morning.



Gaz and Carla friends from Valencia 2011 are in DOC and soon to come to camp along with three other peeps from Doncaster way.



Andy arrives so we get him to pull his van and caravan across the pitch furthest away as we could to secure the space between us,



The Doncaster crew arrive and pitch to our left but the spaces around us are filling fast.



Starting to worry about getting the motor home of Willski anywhere near us.



Lyndon arrives. Met him in Jerez last year and we ended up in Estoril, Silvo and Assen together as well as WSBK and BSB meetings, cool guy.



By now an all too familiar picture is starting to show, the skies have gone cloudy, but the wind is from the south west so is still warm.



Enter the freeking rain!!! Suprise!!!



Then Ania recieves news the paddock passes we were expecting from her source would not arrive till tomorrow.



Any one else getting a sense of de-ja-vue (how the hell do you spell that lol) yet.



Any way cranked up the bar-b-q, continued drinking, kept calm and carried on. Stiff upper lip and all that.



But by now the ground was getting waterlogged and was doubtfull for Wills getting anywhere near us if it carried on.



And it did!



Don't know what time we crashed but it was late and we were very drunk and it was still raining!



Tomorrow can only get better. Can't it?







Friday.







Now before I start this is where details start to get a bit cloudy! So if I mess up others feel free to jump in and correct. thanks







4.30am and the crows are having another meeting. Had to get up and wander to the blocks, the ground was so wet it squelched underfoot, the tracks onto the campsite were 2-3inches of mud, thankfully it had stopped raining but grey skies and a now cold breeze. Things were not looking good.



Back to camp and tried to grab an extra hour. Fail! ....... crows!



The ever growing group rise one by one and well drink coffee, no one can face breakfast today, hangovers all round appeared to be the cause.



We get our gear together and head of to the track, Moto3 first practice was soon to start and I for one was eager to hear what they sounded like, they didn't disappoint.



Got some shots from club corner grandstand while we watched,



Get a txt from Pete they are on their way and should arrive about 11am. Sweet!



Moto3 practice finishes and thanks to a can of the hair of the dog (the drink that bit you the night before for those not familiar) we go to eat.



MotoGP starts and we try to get on Abby grandstand to watch it, saw an open gate and just walked up, out of the corner of my eye I'd seen the security guard making a beeline for us, we dove up got seated and awaited the oncoming guard, you got tickets he asked, yes thanks was the reply. He looked bemused for a moment I don't think it was the reply he was expecting much to our ammusement! He asked to see them and we were promptly evicted lol.



So we headed down to the pit straight and caught the last 10mins or so.



We then decided that club would be the place to watch Moto2, positioned so you could see all vale club and the start fin straight.



After Moto2 I get a call from Pete and the lines bad, Mumble mumble club mumble mumble cherry picker (mumble used for broken conversation)



I know where you are 5mins and will be there.



We meet up with Wills Pete and Debs and after introductions we all head of up past the straight towards the entertainment arena.







Now its really cloudy, need a break TBC.



Edit I dont know what happened with the font size, wrote in my email compose and copied over,

Not right good with this internet lark sorry.

Arrabbiata1 said:

Where the hell have you been?

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Facebook probably lol.

basspete said:

Was just thinking the same Liz! Good to hear fom you! X

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chopperman said:

Hey lizzybabes, how are you? I can't think of anything worse than going to a school reunion

Have a great time folks, sorry i couldn't be there this year as my car is still in bits. Maybe the wsb round in aug if anyone else is up for it?

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Was fairly funny answering the question what do you do now with nothing but couldn't be arsed explaining to people I couldn't give a .... about lol

JohnnyKnockdown said:

Who are you and how long have you been gone?????

Cant say Ive ever seen you and yet you have 869 posts

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Was probably around the time Jumkie and Rog did their excellent adventure I moved house and life got in the way unfortunately.



Seems some of you have changed your names so slightly confusing sounds like you had a great time though. xx

Will get my finger oot an write more later,. Headin to the airport this afternoon to see if me an Debs luggage is here yet. The joys o travel!

Good stuff Lil Red. Man alive, u sure get around to plenty of racing events. Good of u to make so many friends. Honestly, its prob a good thing i dont live in Europe, cuz i'd be broke and divorced.



Ok, so u got to ur camp space on Weds and Wilski not there until Friday? From what i remember, the camp space was congested. So when did Arrabi arrive, Sat? Anyway, so did u get that bottle of Woods going or did u just leave it at home safe so when u have to ship it to me after Alvaslow Bautista never makes a trip to podium.



Yeah, i remember Andy. Good dude, cant say the same for his anemic Scouser friend who kept turning down a drink, something Andy never did.

lil red rocket pilot said:

I've always enjoyed sitting on maggots and beckets,

If you position yourself correctly you get to see the bikes come over the rise out of copse, through maggot/beckets/chaple curve and then watch for any overtaking as they tear away from you down the hanger straight and into stowe.

Pretty much all the far side of the track.

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Thanks for this Rocket. Got there for an excellent view. Made it worth the complaints from my friends as we trudged arounfd the track. First time at the revised Silverstone and I was impressed with being able to see good sections of both sides of the track.

Jumkie said:

Good stuff Lil Red. Man alive, u sure get around to plenty of racing events. Good of u to make so many friends. Honestly, its prob a good thing i dont live in Europe, cuz i'd be broke and divorced.



Ok, so u got to ur camp space on Weds and Wilski not there until Friday? From what i remember, the camp space was congested. So when did Arrabi arrive, Sat? Anyway, so did u get that bottle of Woods going or did u just leave it at home safe so when u have to ship it to me after Alvaslow Bautista never makes a trip to podium.



Yeah, i remember Andy. Good dude, cant say the same for his anemic Scouser friend who kept turning down a drink, something Andy never did.

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I was fortunate enough to have the oppertunity last year so took it mate, time and tide waits for no one.

Generally walk away with new friends from each meeting and yeah I do a lot but I am single

Wood still in my car, reread Wednesday And as for posting it over I can think of a better use before then, Besides your gonna owe me!

expatal said:

Thanks for this Rocket. Got there for an excellent view. Made it worth the complaints from my friends as we trudged arounfd the track. First time at the revised Silverstone and I was impressed with being able to see good sections of both sides of the track.

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No probs mate.

Anytime

Shame you and Caramac so close together never hooked up!

Right a few days gathering thoughts, drying camping equipment and packing away and I'm ready to continue!



Where were we! Oh yeah

Cue entering a dream music!



Friday and the gang is nearly complete, we were heading up to the entertainment zone to check it out,

Just after having a greeting drink. Thank .... Pete brought the scotch after my calamity with the woods! A fine tipple indeed

En route we passed by a stunt/rider control show, so stopped to watch for a while.

It was really good the guy rode up the tarmac doing endo stoppie to wheelie to stoppie to wheelie all the way down,

He had a guy on the front mudguard facing the rider doing the same,

On the guard again facing forwards and scraping the peak of his skid lid on the floor doing an endo stoppie,

And loads of other stuff.

It kept us amused for half hour or so then he asked for volunteers.

My arm was up like a shot! For Pete! much to Debs and others amusement. He got out of it with the I've been drinking excuse!

That old chestnut!

While we were watching Willski had headed of to get a head start because of his bad ankle so we headed of to catch him up.

Just a word about Wills, the guy is unbelievable, At donnington earlier in the year his tendons had gone in his other ankle, this meet he's sprained the other real bad, it was black and blue, I said you got to stop coming to these places man your gonna end up a cripple. He said it takes my mind off the other!

What a guy. Even for an Hector lover

So we meet up with Wills after a look at the stalls as we walked by.

It's about this time that Kev, Skaface lets me know hes here found camp, set up and on his way in.

So we hang around have a beer and some meds whilst he gets here.

Ska arrives intro's over the Silverstone 200 (was it) are on track so wander over to the fence at end of brooklands to watch.

Its cold and the wind is getting stronger.

I think its about this time Wills heads off to the paddock to see the other guys he's here with,

The rest of us stand on the disabled viewing area at Luffield to watch the end of Moto3 and the GP have second practice.

I think we sacrificed Moto2 to head back in the direction of club and the campsite.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong this was the haziest day of my memory.

We end up on club for the Red Bull Rookies race one,

Pete and Debs have gone off to meet Wills who is going to drive them and their gear to camp and the go re-park his car.

Rookie race one was a disaster to start, the poor little buggers did their out lap, warm up lap, sat on the grid and away just as it started raining quite heavy just over club corner and vale.

Can you see whats coming?

They came flying down into Vale, Kyle Ryde with a comfortable lead, he was the first to go down.

One by one they fell, we counted 9 in vale and a further 4 coming out of club onto the straight!

Pics to follow!

Red flag! and the rain had stopped.

They restarted and got a good race, for anyone not familiar with the rookies that goes to races for gods sake stay and watch them just once.

They are totally nuts 5 wide going into corners in some places, easily on par with Moto3 for crazyness.

Time to head back to camp just as Ania gets the call here contact is here and heading for the main entrance.

Me and Ania head there, the rest head back to camp.

We meet and the passes are for silvo 200 paddock, (general admittance) Bollocks! Can this day get any worse, I've 2 paddock passes waiting for me to collect in the paddock and cannot get there. Aaaargh!

We head off to catch up with the others.

Just getting out of the track my phone rings, its Mat "Man you'd better get here quick, one shelters down and the other aint looking healthy either!"

Did I ask if this day could get any worse already!!!

By the time I got back they had packed the destroyed one away and taken the other down, the wind was still blowy but at least it wasn't raining.

Got the wind breakers out created a wind free zone and cracked up the bar b q.

After peeps did what they wanted, some went to watch (sorry endure) the first half of the england game,

But pretty soon we were all in the big tent living area chatting and drinking till sleep eventually caught us all up.



TBC

Disappointed that Basspete didn't have his kilt on this year.

On a positive note, we didn't have to look at his legs.



Lil Red was a practical as ever. He set up camp powerslide to perfection. He is a top bloke and a pleasure to be at the track with.

He did have an amazing event shelter. Never seen one like it before. The canvas was completely clear. You could lie on the floor and look at the stars. To be honest, it was as if there wasn't even a canvas attached !



Arrab had the best idea, fcuk off back to his mansion after a day at the track and get the butler to run a hot bath for him

Willski said:

Disappointed that Basspete didn't have his kilt on this year.

On a positive note, we didn't have to look at his legs.



Lil Red was a practical as ever. He set up camp powerslide to perfection. He is a top bloke and a pleasure to be at the track with.

He did have an amazing event shelter. Never seen one like it before. The canvas was completely clear. You could lie on the floor and look at the stars. To be honest, it was as if there wasn't even a canvas attached !



Arrab had the best idea, fcuk off back to his mansion after a day at the track and get the butler to run a hot bath for him

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Ah yes, the ceremonial drink of choice this year was a 16 year old Scapa Orcadian malt. That I bought in Aberdeen, coz we forgot to get it the night before Doh! While in the duty free shop in Aberdeen airport, looking at whiskys to take oon, the lass working there asks me if I would like to try some tasters. In the 5 mins I was gone I put back 3 different nips before returning to Debs and our pints in the bar. Result no 1!



We flew doon to Birmingham, and Debs, being a practical lass, has got us tickets for the good food and gardening show at the NEC. We buy new wellies, then wander round trying, cheese oatcakes, and drink. Hell yeah! We try chocolate vodka, various red wines and hit the Magners stall as they are clearing up. It's a case o fill your boots guys! On the chocolate Voddy stall, the guys notice my Anti Nowhere League T Shirt, and it turns out they are mates of the band! This was topped by the bloke on the oatcake stand, mind we are in the NEC in Brum, when I said to him, "did you buy a car fae me?" "Aye" he says "A blue Escort for my son!" Small world, he lives about 30 miles fae where I grew up, so we had a good blether!



We went into the Bullring for some food and a few beers then back to the Bates motel. See earlier post for the joys o that place.



Next morning, we head off to the dining room for breakfast. Deja vue, the fecking place is locked up like the bar last night. Chef arrives, eyes going in 2 different directions, and looking far too nervous. "Do you want me to cook you something?" in a Deep Brummy accent while looking u both in the eye at the same time. "Nah, continental is fine" Will phones, says he will meet us in half hour. The Bates escape is on!



When Wills arrives he is a wounded man. His ankle is ....... But it's Wills, he never complains and greets us like old friends. Did you realise in some parts of England you can be ducked in the village pond for not loving Willski? He is just the nicest, most upbeat guy you can meet. We stop for cider, (nae Merrydoon, Strongbow it is) Wills produces the Merrydoon at the track. Hero.



We get Will an his mates passes, park the car up, crack open the Merrydoon, an it's game on.



Mumble Mumble Club Mumble Mumble cheery picker phone call later, an Phil appears, looking like Scott of the Antarctic. It's hugs all round, raising of tinnies, and the weekend starts here.



TBC

basspete said:

Ah yes, the ceremonial drink of choice this year was a 16 year old Scapa Orcadian malt. That I bought in Aberdeen, coz we forgot to get it the night before Doh! While in the duty free shop in Aberdeen airport, looking at whiskys to take oon, the lass working there asks me if I would like to try some tasters. In the 5 mins I was gone I put back 3 different nips before returning to Debs and our pints in the bar. Result no 1!



We flew doon to Birmingham, and Debs, being a practical lass, has got us tickets for the good food and gardening show at the NEC. We buy new wellies, then wander round trying, cheese oatcakes, and drink. Hell yeah! We try chocolate vodka, various red wines and hit the Magners stall as they are clearing up. It's a case o fill your boots guys! On the chocolate Voddy stall, the guys notice my Anti Nowhere League T Shirt, and it turns out they are mates of the band! This was topped by the bloke on the oatcake stand, mind we are in the NEC in Brum, when I said to him, "did you buy a car fae me?" "Aye" he says "A blue Escort for my son!" Small world, he lives about 30 miles fae where I grew up, so we had a good blether!



We went into the Bullring for some food and a few beers then back to the Bates motel. See earlier post for the joys o that place.



Next morning, we head off to the dining room for breakfast. Deja vue, the fecking place is locked up like the bar last night. Chef arrives, eyes going in 2 different directions, and looking far too nervous. "Do you want me to cook you something?" in a Deep Brummy accent while looking u both in the eye at the same time. "Nah, continental is fine" Will phones, says he will meet us in half hour. The Bates escape is on!



When Wills arrives he is a wounded man. His ankle is ....... But it's Wills, he never complains and greets us like old friends. Did you realise in some parts of England you can be ducked in the village pond for not loving Willski? He is just the nicest, most upbeat guy you can meet. We stop for cider, (nae Merrydoon, Strongbow it is) Wills produces the Merrydoon at the track. Hero.



We get Will an his mates passes, park the car up, crack open the Merrydoon, an it's game on.



Mumble Mumble Club Mumble Mumble cheery picker phone call later, an Phil appears, looking like Scott of the Antarctic. It's hugs all round, raising of tinnies, and the weekend starts here.



TBC

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Precious memories!

2nd year, let them continue!

lil red rocket pilot said:

Precious memories!

2nd year, let them continue!

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Bye the way, I've put a .... load o pics on ma Facebook, I tried to upload a few on here today but failed, will try again. I don't want to put the passing of the Scapa whisky pictures on my Facebook, part o ma job is educating youngsters on responsible drinking. Ha Ha! do as I say not as I do!

basspete said:

Bye the way, I've put a .... load o pics on ma Facebook, I tried to upload a few on here today but failed, will try again. I don't want to put the passing of the Scapa whisky pictures on my Facebook, part o ma job is educating youngsters on responsible drinking. Ha Ha! do as I say not as I do!

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I'm not on facebook!

BUT!

basspete said:

Bye the way, I've put a .... load o pics on ma Facebook, I tried to upload a few on here today but failed, will try again. I don't want to put the passing of the Scapa whisky pictures on my Facebook, part o ma job is educating youngsters on responsible drinking. Ha Ha! do as I say not as I do!

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I've been having trouble uploading pics on ps too. best to host them on something like photobucket the post the img link here.

chopperman said:

I've been having trouble uploading pics on ps too. best to host them on something like photobucket the post the img link here.

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Question Rog. What about if I want to pretend on this forum that I was formerly a dirt racer - could I find a suitable stock one to use from Photobucket and noone will know?

Hey guys, Travis, the quiet canadian here. Just got home today. Wide awake at 4am local time!



What a ....... blast. Was great to have somewhere to ditch the 17kg backpack and rest for a bit. Pete, the Scapa was divine. Red, you know how to set up a wicked campsite. Even in wind blowing so ...... hard the metal poles were snapped clean in half. Andy, the burgers and meat were perfect.



Watching Crutchlow make a wicked comeback was fantastic. When Cal passed Nicky the stands literally erupted. Everyone was on their feet cheering him on. I wish I had some video of that, but my camera just ran out of juice. I did get a good shot of Lorenzo shoving past Stoner tho. It was amazing being right there.



I'm still in the process of downloading and organizing all my pictures and videos. I'll let you know when I've got something put together.



Thanks again everyone!

Tra5is said:

Hey guys, Travis, the quiet canadian here. Just got home today. Wide awake at 4am local time!



What a ....... blast. Was great to have somewhere to ditch the 17kg backpack and rest for a bit. Pete, the Scapa was divine. Red, you know how to set up a wicked campsite. Even in wind blowing so ...... hard the metal poles were snapped clean in half. Andy, the burgers and meat were perfect.



Watching Crutchlow make a wicked comeback was fantastic. When Cal passed Nicky the stands literally erupted. Everyone was on their feet cheering him on. I wish I had some video of that, but my camera just ran out of juice. I did get a good shot of Lorenzo shoving past Stoner tho. It was amazing being right there.



I'm still in the process of downloading and organizing all my pictures and videos. I'll let you know when I've got something put together.



Thanks again everyone!

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Hey Travis, was great to meet you mate, glad you enjoyed the Scapa! It was a brilliant weekend all round.



Hopefully meet again sometime in the future.



All the best