Herman Tilke

[Edmonton]

Is he a good racetrack designer?

[Asp]

I know this is going to get a great deal of criticism from a lot of people, but I say yes.

Are his tracks anything like as good as the old legends? No - but that's not his fault, you've to blame safety standards and the constraints given to him by the track owners.
Does he produce tracks that have plenty of action, a nive ambiance off the track, nice overtaking opportunites, and meet dafety guidelines? Yes, he does. He might not be a legend - but he does a well as he can.

[Sodemo]

I don't like Sepang I think its a horrid circuit.

A1 ring is only really saved by the fact it throws up good races, and has nice scenery.

The new Hockenheim is bad, although the long run into that hairpin is OK, the rest sucks major big time etc.

[paulzinho]

Asp is probably right but after whats happenned to Ostereichring, Hockenheim and Fuji because of Tilke then you can't blame people for disliking him.

[Jordi]

No.

[MichaelH]

yes he makes good tracks. You can't expect the next Spa every time.....given such a specific brief he does a good job.

[DNQ]

He makes terrible tracks. Only the A1-Ring and Sepang have been acceptable.

[Mr V]

Sepang is the best circuit out there (but thats possibly helped by the facilities also), the A1 ring nearly always produced a good race and the New Hockenheim produced more overtaking than the old one did in a long time, so he's not as bad as everyone thinks, i just wish that Bernie would employ different designers so we had different sorts of tracks.

The new turn one at Nurburgring is cack though!!

[f1manoz]

Tilke is as useless as tits on a bull.

[paulzinho]

Originally posted by mr v
New Hockenheim produced more overtaking than the old one did in a long time

I always found that the old one was great for passing... long straights, slip streaming, etc.

[DNQ]

Same here paulzinho.

Infact, mr v, watch Germany 2000 on tape, then watch the 2002 race. The come back and tell me that the new track provides more passing

[RT]

His tracks are probably as good as the need for gutless "go-kart circuits" continues so the adverts can be shown more,etc, etc.
I't a matter of marketing unfortunately IMHO.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by DNQ
Same here paulzinho.

Infact, mr v, watch Germany 2000 on tape, then watch the 2002 race. The come back and tell me that the new track provides more passing

But wasn't the 2000 race affected by the weather? that always throws up different variables! Why didn't you mention the 2001 race? or was that because there was no overtaking in that one?

[DNQ]

Admittadly the 2001 one race wasn't as good as 2000, but I think it's on par with the '02 race. And remember, at the 2001 race, Schumacher, Montoya, Hakkinen and Coulthard were all gone by the half way mark

[Bleu]

At least Tilke is better than many others planning new tracks during last years.
Who designed Indianapolis? - inside part is awful.

Sepang has lots of good parts, but I think it's too slow.

[paulzinho]

Originally posted by mr v
But wasn't the 2000 race affected by the weather? that always throws up different variables!

Only for that last few laps which is why Rubens stayed out on slicks.

Most of the passing was done before then anyway, 2001 was still pretty decent from what I can remember.... and it waqs still a proper track then, not one with turns for the sake of having turns.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by DNQ
And remember, at the 2001 race, Schumacher, Montoya, Hakkinen and Coulthard were all gone by the half way mark

So thats how Rafe managed to get past so many cars

[dragon x]

The circuits aren't that bad being veeeeery wide and provide good opportunities for overtaking.
The things I dislike a lot are the incredibly stupid and sharp first turns at Nurburgring and Hungaroring - they are sure to bring more crashes, not overtaking (see Monty vs DC last year at Nurb). And those windy, spiral-like sections don't make any sense either - especially on my F1 simulator.

[bcobbus]

Given the regulations that he has to work with, he does a rather decent job. Remember that you don't just take a pen to paper and have at it. You have to keep in mind what the client wants, what the most commercialy viable plan might be, how the land is on which the track will be built, the local infastructure and facilities needed, and what the fans want. Trying to get all of those factors, and then some, to match up is not an easy thing to do. Should many things be changed on his tracks, yes. But I don't have the in-dept knowledge of what each design had to have in order to please those invilved. Do you?

[Lee Janotta]

Magny-Cours sucks, there's just no other way to put it. Even with all the restrictions he has to work with (Alan Wilson wishes he was so "restricted" ), his work still turns out miserably.

[bcobbus]

We have yet to see what the new modifications will bring us. It looks as though more overtaking should result. Also wasn't it not but a few days back you were talking smack about Mr. Wilson and he responded in form? Yes I think that Tilke's designes are flawed, but give the guy a break, he can't please everybody at the expense of the people who pay him.

[Asp]

Exactly - we can't compare the old Hock to the new track (for example) - in comparison the new track is an insult.
But, as bcobbus says - he has regulations and restrictions to work with. Ignore what was there, and look at his tracks on their own merit - if you can!

[Miss Hardt]

Originally posted by mr v
New Hockenheim produced more overtaking than the old one did in a long time

Cough-cough...someone will have a big, big nose (big like the "very interesting" Spitzkehre) very soon...

Let me see...although people probably know this. I think A1-Ring is cool, Sepang is acceptable, but I really dislike Tilke because he killed my Hocki. End.


Ignore what was there? Never! That was one of the most improtant things in my

[ASCII Man]

Life?
Eyes?

[Red]

Ok Missy, but frankly, last years German GP provided more action than past 5-years put together. In recent years only 2000 showed something, but that's only because a Ferrari started nearly last and because an Mercedes employee decided that blocking a Formula 1 Grand Prix was best way to make a point. And oh yes, almost forgot. It rained.