On Thursday, July 11th, I will set out from home for the journey south to Silverstone for the beginning of a weekend at the British Grand Prix. This year will be my 3rd British Grand Prix.
Last year we decided to camp in a campsite very close to the circuit. The experience left me counting down the days utill this year's event.
The atmosphere was just mind blowing. We arrived on Friday morning and was listening to Hill's pole lap as we came near the circuit. Already, the site was half full. At first it was strange to be with so many people in one field, but that soon disappeared.
There were tents everywhere. From one man igloo type tents to the biggest ones. All you could hear were people setting up and music being played. Nothing prepared us for what was to happen over the next two days.
The night was full of music and fireworks till 5am. I really don’t know how some people got any sleep. Music, fireworks, people.. it was am electrifying experience.
We made the decision to use Saturday as our scouting day and find the best view point for the Grand Prix. Also, we spent time finding the best merchandise tents. Even on Saturday, you had to fight your way through people to get to the desk in order to buy something - it was that packed.
I called in on the Genuine Formula One parts tent. It was out in a campsite, along with other tents, a fair ground, and a medium sized big wheel. I walked out holding half of a underside plank. I felt like someone was going to mug me walking down the site with this piece of wood swinging around as I carried it.
Saturday night was one hell of a evening. We had decided to set down early and prepare for the early start... that went out of the window as soon as we put out heads down. The air was full of music, laughing, fireworks, horns, and cheering! It was fantastic! The fireworks would not stop... Over and over, the sky lit up making shadows on the tent. At one point, we thought a car was going to smash into our tent. All we could here were cars that kept moving around and making big shadows on the side of the tent.
The party atmosphere went on utill 4am. We had decided to get up early to get through the gates first and run to Copse. This was not meant to be. We arrived sleepy eyed at the gate to a queue of people that went back for ages! I could not believe it. People sitting on chairs, rapped in sleeping bags. I went berserk! We took our place at the back, and waited. As soon as he clipped our tickets, I ran for a good spot, but took one look at copse and thought ‘forget it’. I saw a spot near the barrier, and took it. It was on the start/finish straight, near a bin. I had to get near the barrier, as I had a banner to wave proudly.
By race time, the crowd was inbelevable. Packed into every spot imaginable. I was getting the urge to walk around, but took one look behind me and sat back down.
The race was fantastic. Every lap we were waving Hill on. Every time he passed us at full speed, we were waving with our fists clenched, union jacks waving.
When Hill went off, it was just a normal race to us. Neat the end, a number of security guards began to form near the fence. They were ready to physically stop any track invasion. It wasnt very nice.
We had to watch Herbert on the podium with our faces against the fence, which was along way from the winning driver.
In the past, the British Grand Prix has seen one of the worst track invasions. In 1992, a hot and crushed crowd got over the fences and invaded a still active track. Nigel Mansell actually hit one spectator who, luckily, was ok to tell the tale and collect a few souvenirs from Mansell.
After that, the FIA took steps to fine any circuit which allowed such "irresponsible" events. Tracks still see invasions which are usually after racing has stopped, but I fear I will never be able to take part in such a event, as Silverstone will never allow it again.
We packed our tent, and said goodbye to the field as we made the long journey back home. I had already started planning for 1996 British Grand Prix mania while on the motorway.