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Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 9:39 pm
by wire2004
It's a possibility according too motorsports.com

They are not currently licenced too hold a event in reverse. But if they get the certificate. It's a possibility.

I'm a fan of it. Double header race weekend. Maybe also hold it over august bank holiday. So it would look like this.
Friday.
09:00 - 11:00 free practice.
13:00 - 14:00 qualifying.

Saturday.
14:00 race.

Sunday. (Reverse circuit)
09:00 - 11:00 free practice
13:00 - 14:00 Qualifiying

Monday. (Reverse circuit)
15:00 race

Use f2 f2 and f3 and also use btcc as a support series too really bulk up the weekend. Give something back after the situation we are in now.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 9:50 pm
by j man
Normally this idea falls down because circuits are fundamentally designed to be in one direction, and it you switch it then the barriers and run-offs are all in the wrong places. However thinking about it, I'm not sure this is an issue at Silverstone as all the corners seem to have plenty of run-off in either direction. The only corner I can think of where it might not work is Luffield.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 6:09 am
by pendulumeffect
It would be interesting if they ran circuits in opposite directions alternating each year but I think most drivers would find the change a bit nauseating as the circuits lose their flow and appeal somewhat. I think most modern circuits would be safe as the runoff areas are too generous anyway. Any dangerous corners could be modified or removed somehow.

But I think F1 would be better off cancelling this year's championship and just do a Coronavirus benefit race in London whilst the traffic is relatively low.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:49 am
by Siao7
j man wrote:Normally this idea falls down because circuits are fundamentally designed to be in one direction, and it you switch it then the barriers and run-offs are all in the wrong places. However thinking about it, I'm not sure this is an issue at Silverstone as all the corners seem to have plenty of run-off in either direction. The only corner I can think of where it might not work is Luffield.
Agreed, so many things that would be opposite, like - say - lights in the pits (located at the exit), now they'd have to be in the entrance as well, same as the race lights at the start straight or the openings in the barriers for service vehicles, etc.

Let alone the drivers themselves, racing 4 days straight, half of it clockwise and then anti-clockwise. That'd give them a bit of a neck pain/headache!

Luckily there is no refuelling anymore that would need to be done from the far side of the car.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:30 am
by Asphalt_World
I have been thinking later of how this could be a season for experimenting with things long discussed. We're already way off getting a 'normal' season and although they're talking about running a season to January, I think that's slightly crazy. I'd prefer a shorter season and perhaps double header races. Perhaps practice, quai and half race distance on Saturday and then a second quali and shorter race on Sunday.

They could do all sorts of different things. It's almost like F1 has been given a free chance at trying things out that are hard to try at any other time.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:33 am
by Jezza13
j man wrote:Normally this idea falls down because circuits are fundamentally designed to be in one direction, and it you switch it then the barriers and run-offs are all in the wrong places. However thinking about it, I'm not sure this is an issue at Silverstone as all the corners seem to have plenty of run-off in either direction. The only corner I can think of where it might not work is Luffield.
Looking at Google Earth it looks like the run off at Maggots & Becketts could also be slightly dodgy without any modifications. Run off at Copse & Woodcote & could probably need a bit of work too as would barricading at Aintree.

Of course they'd have to re-paint the grid boxes on the other side of the start / finish line & move the starting lights to the other side of the light gantry (or just install a second set of lights I suppose) but I guess that's not a big deal in the greater scheme of things. As Saio7 noted, you'd also have to move the barricades between races so the gaps in the barriers would still face away from the oncoming traffic.

I suppose with enough will & resources anything's possible. It'd certainly be a very interesting exercise if they could pull it off.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:49 am
by wire2004
A question I do have then.

Is any circuit ready to go. Where they could feasibly run both ways. Is any circuit certified to run in both directions.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:29 am
by Jezza13
wire2004 wrote:A question I do have then.

Is any circuit ready to go. Where they could feasibly run both ways. Is any circuit certified to run in both directions.
I think the closest you'd get are places like Paul Ricard & Bahrain. Tracks that incorporate multiple layouts.

You could maybe do a 2nd race at Silverstone using the layout including Abby & the Farm straight to Bridge & Priory corners. That'd also open up an alternate route at the back of the circuit by having a right hand Maggots to Aintree. Left at Aintree then left at the loop swinging back onto the hanger straight by a right turn at Chapel. You could change the characteristics of the track a fair bit without stuffing around too much with the infrastructure bit by doing that I suppose.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:39 am
by G926
Silverstone put a cracking video out about doing this as their April Fools joke in 2017


Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:50 am
by Battle Far
In the early 1970's I drove the Brands Hatch club circuit in reverse in a Formula Ford as part of an evaluation process.

Driving the track the wrong way round was, if anything, as enjoyable as driving a new track for the first time.

Paddock Bend, for example, going clockwise (the right way) was and is a major test, blind entry over a crest making the car light with adverse camber, it was always hard to believe just how late you could brake and how early you could hit the throttle... Sadly, going the wrong way in an FF it was pretty much flat

On the the other hand Clearways going the wrong way was pretty scary, hitting max speed at the end of the straight looking at the sharp ends of Armco barriers which are angled to catch cars coming the other way...

Tony Lanfranchi once scoffed at circuit safety by suggesting that the track owners should buy up Beeching surplus railway sleepers, sharpen one end to a point and fix them on the outside of every corner with the tip pointing in, no one would ever go off then

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:20 pm
by Asphalt_World
Knockhill has run reverse races for many years. Not sure it's would quite be suitable for F1 though! :lol:

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:32 pm
by wire2004
On another note. How accessible is the old circuit. Using abby. Bridge and priory.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:50 pm
by Alienturnedhuman
wire2004 wrote:On another note. How accessible is the old circuit. Using abby. Bridge and priory.
Fairly certain they've now pulled up the track there and it's unusable.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:52 pm
by Tufty
Alienturnedhuman wrote:
wire2004 wrote:On another note. How accessible is the old circuit. Using abby. Bridge and priory.
Fairly certain they've now pulled up the track there and it's unusable.
They must have done it recently then, Google Maps still shows the old track on its satellite view.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:20 pm
by Badger36
Knockhill had a reverse licence (only track in Britain to have one ?)

I hate it

No flow, off camber, and just sh*t. It's not enjoyable.

Maybe Silverstone would be different. Who knows.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 11:21 pm
by pc27b
it would be interesting.
really think they will have trouble getting 8 races in though. even going the correct way around

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 11:22 pm
by Alienturnedhuman
Tufty wrote:
Alienturnedhuman wrote:
wire2004 wrote:On another note. How accessible is the old circuit. Using abby. Bridge and priory.
Fairly certain they've now pulled up the track there and it's unusable.
They must have done it recently then, Google Maps still shows the old track on its satellite view.
Bing maps is showing a rather crumbling looking track there.

I know it's no longer usable because there was a big controversy about it when it happened. After reading it up on it, they didn't remove the tarmac itself, but they did modify the earthworks to make it better for spectators viewing in such a way that it's impossible to reuse the track for racing again.

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 11:42 am
by Johnson
Monaco in reverse, imagine that turn 1 :lol:

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:43 am
by tootsie323
Johnson wrote:Monaco in reverse, imagine that turn 1 :lol:
Ouch

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 8:46 pm
by tim3003
Wouldn't many of the kerbs be wrong - ie for the entry and exit points to the corners? I'm sure too some of the run-offs wouldn't be long enough - ie Club, Stowe, Copse, Abbey. And all the sophistacted tecpro barriers would need moving. Surely it's not possible to do all that in a weekend. A separate race weekend, sure. But then that's no less time-consuming than using another circuit.

https://www.silverstone.co.uk/wp-conten ... Map-01.jpg

Re: Silverstone in reverse.

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:18 pm
by minchy
I'm now imagining Becketts and Maggots in reverse - fast flowing corners getting faster and faster all the way :)