Hi fellow Radical fans,
After my last Silverstone trackday in Nov, I heard a rumour that Silverstone were changing to a more 'corporate style' venue and would no longer be offering the track for 3rd party rental. The reason why this is significant as you may be aware is Silverstone's own trackdays do not allow Radicals or prototypes. This has now been confirmed to me by Silverstone.
Their concession is Prototype only test days, which although having reduced numbers are significantly more expensive (currently starting at £2699). For comparison Gold track and RME which did allow prototypes were around £600. I think these test days are also session based, so no open pit lane, and potentially reduced track time. This price is well out of my ability to man-math justify but the loss of the ability to drive at Silverstone is too painful to comprehend ATM. This may sound dramatic to most - but I'm hoping fellow track aficionados will empathise!
At every Silverstone day I have attended over the last 4 years, I would estimate there have been between 6-10 radicals in attendance, as a mix of individuals running their own cars, and smaller teams - plus the factory works team who always seem to be in attendance. There is clearly interest by us radicals at the UK's premier circuit!
I have contacted Silverstone already asking if they are going to revise their policy to allow radicals, and they have so far come back with 'we are looking into viability of Radical only days' - which is something, I guess.
This would appear to be the place to raise this issue - and I would encourage anyone potentially affected to contact Silverstone directly and try to persuade them to either allow Radicals on the regular trackdays - or show there is enough interest to support radical only days. Your voice counts - use it or lose it!
https://www.silverstone.co.uk/contact-us
Warm regards
(Radical owner and Silverstone GP lover)
Mark
well thats a small dream shattered. was looking forward to driving silverstone for the very first time.
Hi Mark,
I have also contacted Silverstone and received the same response.
I doubt there would ne enough interest to fill a Radical only day as that is a lot of cars! Would be great fun though.
I have suggested to them that they run Race car/prototype/Radical days where they halve the number of cars and double the price (would cost no more than Gold Track days). This would put off the normal road car driver and negate the problem of having very fast and slow cars on track together. Also less people to look after.
I also pointed out that the drivers of our cars and similar tend to be more experienced track day drivers who are less likely to have offs and accidents.
Well, here's hoping
Cheers
Andy
Red SR3 RSX owner and Silverstone GP enthusiast
I managed to do 3 test days at Silverstone in 2022 - all open pit lane. They were great (well it is Silverstone) though there was inevitable slow traffic it generally thinned out after lunch. This year however, there is only ONE all year (February) and it proceeds a vintage/historic race, so I imagine an even bigger speed differential.
There are however 40 semi-exclusive test days at £3000+. Sorry if I come over as a moaner - but I'm spitting, as this is such an obvious money grab. I hope their 2023 policy fails spectacularly, but I suspect there will be enough hypercar owning billionaires wanting an opportunity to do acceleration tests on the Hangar straight...
Looks like Donnington and Brands will be getting my money this year.
