Disclosure: I was invited to the media preview evening for this event and was given complimentary tickets in return for a review.
Being avid Formula 1 fans, both husband and I had seen this event being advertised and thought it would be pretty cool to do. So when the lovely folk at Silverstone invited us to a preview of their brand new Christmas event – Drive Lap Land at Silverstone- we jumped at the chance! A chance to drive our car around the F1 track listening to Christmas music and watching a spectacular light show, what more could you want this Christmas?
Drive Lap Land at Silverstone – Key Details
- The attraction opened 10th December and will be open through to 3rd January 2021 except for Christmas Day itself (subject to any changes in Covid restrictions of course*)
- Each ticket (£35) entitles you to drive your car around the circuit to see a spectacular 30-45 minute light show.
- The pack will follow a safety car (or a pace car) around the track
- A speed limit of 5mph applies on track
- You are not allowed out of your car once on track
- As you are in your car throughout, it is a Covid-safe event
- Pre-booking is essential as tickets are selling out FAST – check out Silverstone’s website for more information.
* rest assured, should Covid restrictions change you are guaranteed a 100% refund.
Drive In Cinema Experience
For an extra £15 you can also visit the drive in cinema to watch a special screening of the film The Snowman. The film is shown on a big screen and the audio transmitted over radio to your car. (Unfortunately we couldn’t do this as we had to travel back to Wales).
My Thoughts – AMAZING!
It was absolutely amazing! Husband and I were a bit excited I have to admit. We are both fans of the Formula 1 and have been to the British GP at Silverstone twice (2012 – for Webber’s win and 2018).
On entry you get to drive through the National Pits and Paddock – i.e. the old F1 pits. There were elves racing scooters around and were generally great fun!
From there you move on through Maggotts and Becketts towards the start of Lap Land at Chapel. Next section is Hangar Straight where the guiding lights lead you on your search for Santa. At Stowe corner the Presents Stack colour change and are just very pretty. On the downhill (never realised how steep this was!) into Vale you drive through the Laser Tunnel before seeing the racing light beams which guide you around the final corner onto the International Pit Straight.
Spotting Santa
Excitement kicked in here as we saw the iconic Silverstone Wing and finally spotted the big man himself – SANTA!! Santa was sat in his snowglobe at the start of the straight (or back of the grid!). He waved at us – we are big children really! After that excitement we got even more excited as we headed down the grid towards pole position. Our F1 dreams kicked in and husband booted his car to do a standing start from pole position! I might have shouted “It’s lights out and away we go!” (a la Crofty!) and we had a giggle! It was pretty epic actually!
Onwards to Abbey (the first corner) where there was a multitude of lights aptly named Kaleidoscope Christmas and then onto Farm Curve which was Rock N Roll Christmas. Final section was Winter Warmer at Village corner – a very fire-y display and certainly warmed you up! The heat from the flame throwers was just what was needed to finish off!
The Silverstone Experience
We travelled all the way from North Wales to see this event and the awesome people at Silverstone Experience also invited us round. There is so much to see that I can’t possibly write about that now as well! But it made the 400mile round trip well worth it. If you’re travelling to the event, book yourself in to see this as well – make it a proper day out! A blog post about this will come soon but in the meantime check out their website for more information.
