Archived Horewood to Gate 49 Dadford Rd Silverstone

[La_vida_diver]

I have run this in google maps and it says 14.8 miles and 30 minutes. so with traffic I think we need to allocate 45 minutes I have failed to contact the Police today as I had hoped to get guidance but I will pick that up on Monday.

The route gets onto the A421 fairly quickly and I have spotted couple of Laybys by using street view on the A421 but then we go north on A413 and A422 round Buckingham (I thought of looking for a supermarket in Buckingham, Which appeals). The route then goes up Stowe Avenue towards Crackmore which is a smaller road but should be ok. Then up Spinney Hill which then becomes Dadford Rd.and lead direct to the entrance to Silverstone. In google map I used Horwood house hotel and Dadford Rd Silverstone to get the route and tweaked it a little. One of the options was to carry on further up the A422 then up towards Dadford.

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=gnbqduormoxnzabi shows what I have in mind.

Going all the way up to Brackley and using the A43 which is a more major road increases the milage to 23.3 and travel time before traffic of 43 minutes. So would require leaving at 8:30 at the latest. As the Breakfast at the hotel is "normally" 8:00 till 10:00 I have emailed the hotel to ask what the chances are of starting Breakfast earlier.

At this stage before I have inquired of the police etc. would people like to give me there thoughts please. I am interested in how people feel about early breakfast and a longer route or any other thoughts. I do not think a morning Cruise for some miles and still be at the Track for 9:30.

 

[Snoops]

Hi Dunc

There are no supermarkets on the main route through Buckingham - already checked. The Tesco is off the main route through the town, which I am presuming you are using?

The only thing I would say is can you completely rely on the timings given on google maps, considering the volume of traffic that could be in the vicinity that day??

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

I think that the longer route might be easier, Duncan, you would not be weaving through parked cars and stopping at Junctions etc, the small built up roads are hard enough with a small cruise of just 10 cars, never mind 40 At least we would arrive in one peice, so to speak

Besides, with the lower mileage route, the first car will probably be arriving at Silverstone, just as the last one is leaving Horwood )

 

[Snoops]

Dunc, I've virtually driven the 422 from Buckingham up to the Water Stratford Lodge turning (looking for layby's to lurk in ) didn't find any but it looks a nice road to cruise up

 

[GazHyde]

I think the easier route has to be the best even if it takes longer. I'll probably have issues sleeping so an early breaky is fine by me! It's going to take some planning that's for sure.

Also, on a seperate thought we will need to have several people fully clued up with the route, and position them at regular intervals in the procession. I think having three or four 'leaders' would be sensible with the numbers in the procession. That way if the 'snake' does get broken up, then it will be easier to reassemble or at least continue on.

 

[La_vida_diver]

I think that the longer route might be easier, Duncan, you would not be weaving through parked cars and stopping at Junctions etc, the small built up roads are hard enough with a small cruise of just 10 cars, never mind 40 At least we would arrive in one peice, so to speak

Besides, with the lower mileage route, the first car will probably be arriving at Silverstone, just as the last one is leaving Horwood )

Many a true word spoken in Jest.

I found a Morrisons but it is so close to the hotel I didn't think it worth looking at, might as well meet at the hotel and that did not seem right. I Agree the A422 is a pleasant road.

From memory I believe there is a Petrol station close somewhere but I cannot remember for the life of me where. Found it at Brackley: Brackley Connect/Northampton Rd, Brackley NN13 5SZ. Take a look on Google Maps and let me know if we could all file through as I suspect.

It would be great if the hotel can arrange breakfast early it would make a huge difference.

I agree Gazhyde by the way to Multiple Leaders I was thinking also about Walkie talkies as well to reconnect the the snake.

 

[Snoops]

If you're going to do the longer route then there is a nice long layby just outside Brackley (B on the map)

 

[La_vida_diver]

A friend of mine who has a Z4 , lives in Stevenage, and is doing a meet up with the group coming from Specialist Cars in Stevenage. They are meeting at the dealership at 7:00 for breakfast, leaving Stevenage at 8:00 and will be at the track for 9:30. He does the trip to silverstone from there regular as he has two track cars and is in with a group that trackday regular at Silverstone. He also goes to a lot of events at Silverstone like the F1 etc so understands the traffic. His journey is 49 miles and google suggests 1 hour 28 minutes. I do not feel I would like to push it that tight but it does make me feel comfortable, subject to more input to suggest a time to leave.

 

[Ragtop]

What time does entry to the infield begin? Do we all have to be in there by 9.30? Will there will be lots of other car clubs trying to get in there too?

Has anybody been to this event in the past and can let us know what volume of traffic there would be on the approach to the track at that time of morning?

My thoughts are maybe we should start assembling at 8.00am, or before, depending on the above question. That could prove difficult for those who have booked breakfast at the hotel.

 

[HornelZ3M]

i think if we could have breakfast by 8am and start leaving at 8-15 that would give us plenty of time for the first car to get to the entrance of silverstone, i shouldnt think for 1 minute they will stop the procession of zeds entering the infield after the initial car starts going through.

 

[z3cade]

Will it be a race to the gates Hornel

 

[HornelZ3M]

Will it be a race to the gates Hornel

you know you will be second mate.

 

[board]

Don't worry Liam, we can add a tyre change into the mix

 

[HornelZ3M]

Don't worry Liam, we can add a tyre change into the mix

thats your pint gone James ~o)

 

[badman gee]

im not racing anywhere!

don't want any insurance issues!

 

[board]

im not racing anywhere!

don't want any insurance issues!

it's a foot race for those two mark as they will be swapping their tyres out

 

[badman gee]

dont know who would win on foot!

lets have a sweepstake.

 

[board]

dont know who would win on foot!

lets have a sweepstake.

good point, as hornel doesn't drive his M he must walk or run everywhere

Back on topic, I'm not fussed about breakfast so happy to go at whatever time everyone thinks best. I can't see them shutting the gates if 23 of the 40+ cars are waiting to get in.

 

[badman gee]

dont know who would win on foot!

lets have a sweepstake.

good point, as hornel doesn't drive his M he must walk or run everywhere

that right and he has a physical job, but so does liam!

:-?

 

[Snoops]

Highways Agency is showing some roadworks planned on the A43 the week before Zedfest, I've registered to get e-mail updates in case of overrun.

Highways Link It says they are going to work at night but these things have a habit of changing and dragging out.