Donnington facilities, shit or what

we were marshalling and at the end of each day were greeted by a paddock full of hospitality suites rammed with people enjoying sweet smelling foods and drinks, we on the other hand couldnt find even a burger van that was still open, the redgate bar stopped serving food (and the beer was fizzy line cleaner)

needless to say we were not happy........ 3 nights of eating any old crap we could scrounge of other marshalls is not good. its about time donington sorted itself out (or at least pre warned us before an event so we can plan and bring cookers and food)

Well I got my fingers crossed for a miracle then! I'm camping there for the first time for the whole weekend including Day of Champions....

Must dig out my intraveinous beer kit...

I was working on the paddock security and the amount of misinformation we were given that directly affected paying fans was, to say the least, disgraceful.

Saturday and Sunday, people with Redgate VIP passes were being told thay couldn't enter via Gate 21 (the main paddock gate with the barrier). They were being made to go 'round to the actual Redgate entrance (the old hairpin where the market sets up). That made them walk an extra 15 minutes when they could've just came in via gate 21 and walked for 5 mins, past all the support teams' camps, and got there with less stress etc.

These poeple paid top dollar for their passes and were treated like scum.

Even the wife of the old guy that Coopers Bends was named after (Mallory) was being remonstrated with.

Thankfully, a colleague and i forced common sense into the issue, and once we got on the gates we delioberatlely ignored instructions and allowd paying punters in through Gate 21 despite the crap instructions.

I have to agree with the above comments; and living in Donington and being pro-track and wanting the whole F1 thing to be a success I still get really depressed at the apparent lack of professionalism that is frequently displayed by the management there.

I do have to say, however, that Mr Gillet is NOT the culprit. Like someone said about Danny Pedrosa; it's not the guy himself that is to blame; it's the idiots that surround him.

I pray the F1 plans are realised, because THEN, the facilites will be improved.

Why do we, the great British public put up with it??

Because we want to see the events primarily. The facilites are second place to the great racing that takes place.

leepy wrote (see)

Having only been to European tracks (Assen, Monza, Ring) recently, my wife and I were totally shocked at the standard and lack of facilities at Donnington for this weekends WSB meeting. Had the weather been bad we would have been watching from a mud slide. When are we Brits going to stop accepting second rate conditions charged at top rates. I have been to Donnington on several previous occasions and the standard has definitely plummeted. Whose idea was it to have the big screen where you had to stand with your back to the track? Two guys from NI were commenting on the facilities and comparing them to those at the NW200, I had to agree with their comments that Donnington is crap. How on earth do they hope to continue hosting top level events and bring in the grand prix, I do not think the GP crowd will accept this second rate status.

 Did they kidnap you and force you to the track?

Did they take your money at gun point?

Did they chain you to the railing ?

It was your time and your money and you did with it what you wanted.

I agree.

But... (lol)

I think we need to take into account what the current operators inherited.

They only got the licence about 2 years ago (I think?) and almost immediately set about making longer term plans for the betterment of the entire facility.

Gillet's bid to host the F1 is pinnacle in securing much better facilities for teams, staff and punters alike.

So give it a chance and see what happens over the next couple of years.

What we're gonna get is a God damn almighty super track for two and four wheels alike.

Meantime, yeah, we all kow the downfalls of the current setup but we still choose to go there and either participate, or spectate.

Quite whinning, bring a flask, umbrella, tent, missus, camera beer, fags, wellies and watch the feckin' racin lol

There's no magic wand, only time and effort from the Gillet team, and it's starting to work now, let's hope they see it through??

I can see whay you say that.

But don't you agree that it's pointless spending funds on those areas when 2 years later they're planning to tear them downa dn revamp them?

What facilites exactly are you referring to Respin?

Yeah I agree.

Redgate view is not that good from those stands, unless you're up in the back right hand quarter (as you look at the stand from the track).

£10 a seat would fill 'em I guess.

And toilet facilities. I reckon they could do with a large permanent block of loos on the hollywood side of Reggate. Every other corner seems relatively near to a loo I suppose, but when large numbers head to them that's where the problem starts.

Still, that's British racing facilites in general, apart from Silverstone tat is JUST acceptable in some opinions.

Saying 'wait and see' is not gonna help the marshalls & Co right now. Perhap if the ACU made a voice in their cirection as the building work is starting they can take on board some views?

yeah im referring to the toilets, the fact that everythings closed, the fact the barstaff were happily serving line cleaner, the state of the place in general ie paintwork and the paddock surface, the access to certain areas and the security that have no idea where (or what) the old hairpin is...

we had nigh on 50 spectators complain to us saying that they wanted to get to the infield from redgate and couldnt manage the 2mile walk. things need sorting... also i dont think the run off is 100% safe where the new tunnel/bridge is between coppice and mcleans

world class organisation by the ACU for marshalls, world class riders and teams supplied by the world superbikes and sadly donington park couldnt even provide 3rd world standards for marshalls and spectators

i've been going to donny since 1984, as its my local circuit and yes nothings changed only the price hikes !

its still a dump , mud bath when its wet to a filthy dust bowl when dry !

the food well shit you buy is awful , always take own food and drink . the toilets are rank !  

I signed the online petition to stop claims against Croft.  We all got a reply saying they couldn't do anything as its a civil matter for local councils to sort out.  Load of rubbish.  I moved near a hospital.  think i might claim against the noise and flashing from the ambulances!!!!

all this claim culture is bollocks.  Stupid Yanks