Circuits

Please note that all the comments given here are my own views and observations and may change at any time.

Brands Hatch

General phone: 01474 872331
Ticket reservations: 0870 60 60 611

Website:www.motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch/index.asp

Click on picture for a larger version

One really feature of Brands and large meetings is the closed centre paddock - you will require a pass to get through either tunnel so wait until the pit lane walk about.

This circuit has been vying with Silverstone to hold the Grand prix but unlike Silverstone the facilities are not so extensive. The smaller Indy circuit is in some respects too small whereas the longer Grand prix circuit has few facilities for spectators.

Brands Hatch is within easy reach of the M25/M20 Junction 3, then onto the A20.
On leaving the circuit there are normally queues so stay to the end - you might as well.
There are two permanent eating/drinking places -Kentagon and Hailwoods but there are a lot of other burger bars scattered about.
For viewing the Paddock grandstand offers you a 98% view of the Indy circuit. If you want your action a little closer try Paddock Hill Bend or Druids. The Grand Prix circuit is worth a look but be aware that there are no tannoys around there (and no facilities).
For photography without a fence try standing on the island at Druids.

Croft

General phone: 01325 721815
Fax: 01325 721819

email: info@croftcircuit.co.uk
Website: www.croftcircuit.co.uk

Croft circuit map

Best place for photos is at the hairpin or Clervaux if you have a pass or on top of Complex bank.

Situated close to Darlington and in North Yorkshire filling a geographical hole between Knockhill and Donington Park. The easiest way to the circuit is via the A1(M) to Darlington taking the A66. Turn right at the roundabout towards North Allerton and the track is five miles further on.

Hints.
The circuit won't open until 9am on the Sundays (if then). There is one grandstand down at Clervaux or you can sit on the bank overlooking the Complex. Be very careful - the banks are high and steep. One disadvantage is the course owners have planted trees in the middle (between Complex and Jim Clark's Esses) and this cuts down the view. The far side of the circuit gets very few supporters (due to the walk) and yet this is a good place to see cars coming off (especially in the rain).

Donington Park

General phone: 01332 810048
Ticket reservations: 01332 850955/0115 934 2024

email: enquiries@donington.co.uk
Website: www.donington-park.co.uk

Donington Park map
Circuit plan is Copyright ©1995-2001 British Motor Racing Circuits

This circuit is one of the top three circuits in the country but unlike Silverstone, which is completely built up, and Brands Hatch that is impersonal, Donington Park is friendly and offers excellent viewing for the spectators. The Craner Curves to McLean's series of gentle bends on an upward slope allow spectators to see a good 1/2 of the circuit whereas the Melbourne Hairpin (when used) and Redgate Bend give close up views of the action.

Hints.
Getting to Donington Park (near Derby and Leicester) is fairly easy as it is signposted from M1/M42 and A50 and is next to the East Midlands airport (in fact airplanes cause some of the spectacular spins due to fuel being dropped on the track.).
On qualifying day, and if you are early on race day, park behind the paddock.
If it is wet do not take your car on the sloping infield (I have watched the tractors pull the cars out after one particularly wet weekend.)
If you are in the paddock, nip into the Pitstop cafe for a full English breakfast or bacon roll. There is also a pub/restaurant at Redgate.
Donington has probably one of the largest and best laid out paddocks with plenty of toilets. If the Grand Prix circuit is in use then stand at the end of the Melbourne Hairpin and poke the lens of your camera through the chain-link fencing (it's behind the garage in the paddock). Redgate is a spectacular corner and there is always someone going into the gravel. If you like to see a lot of the racing then sit on the bank between Redgate and Starkey's Bridge. You can see from Redgate to Coppice from there.
If you have time there is always the Donington Grand Prix collection in the museum

Knockhill

General phone: 01383 723337
Fax: 01383 620167

email: enquiries@knockhill.co.uk
Website: www.knockhill.co.uk

The only top class circuit in Scotland and, as such, is different from every other top circuit. At the moment there are no pit garages and no close car parks but the upside is there is no chain link (catch) fencing. This gives unparalleled opportunities for photography and seeing the cars really close.

Hints.
The circuit is easy to get to, as it is signposted from the M90, Edinburgh to Kinross road at junction 4 after the toll Forth Road Bridge (currently 80p). It takes approx. 30 minutes from Edinburgh Airport. On qualifying day you can park near the paddock but on busy race days you have to park in one of the fields and be bussed in (unless you have a VIP car pass). This is no problem as the buses run continuously all day but there are queues as people leave the circuit. Be prepared to wait or walk miles.
The paddock is large but there are no garages so it tends to get very busy. There are facilities in the paddock but these are scarce elsewhere.
There are two restaurants/cafes and a large area for trade stands down towards Duffers Dip.
The best places to see the action are at the Taylors Hairpin with its steep slope on a very sharp bend or on the infield at Duffus Dip. At that point you can see the action behind you as the cars take the Chicane and Brabhams. Be aware that this is a popular place. The outside of Duffus Dip has excellent views of the cars on two wheels over the kerbs. There is also a hill in the centre of the track which gives an all round view.

Mondello Park

General phone: +353 45860 200
Fax: +353 45860 195

email: info@mondellopark.ie
Website: www.mondellopark.ie

Mondello Park map

For a change this circuit is in Eire and about 40 minutes from Dublin. The circuit has been upgraded in the last two years with the paddock being resurfaced and the garages rebuilt.

Hints.
The circuit is really easy to get to, as it is signposted from the N7 (Newbridge) from Dublin heading west. There is a very narrow bridge but the Touring car trailers manage to get through OK. There are 3 entrances on this road and some more further on all with car parks.

The circuit is very twisty with a sharp hairpin at the end of the pit straight and it's here that the grandstand is situated. Be aware that the Irish number their grandstand completely opposite to Octagon and co, as seat A1 is the highest row and nearest the corner.

If you don't sit then the view can be rather restricted as there is only a narrow strip around the fencing and you are only allowed around half the track.

The paddock is accessed by the pedestrian bridge near the grandstand and it requires a ticket or pass. The view from the paddock is very restricted but the upside is the Paddock Bar!

Oulton Park

General Phone: 01829760301

Website:www.motorsportvision.co.uk/oulton-park/index.asp

Click on picture for a larger version

The Oulton Park circuit is in the North west between Crewe and Chester. The circuit is quite pictoresque with a lake (nearly visited by Alain Menu in 2000) and good viewing around the circuit.

Hints: The touring cars usually use the Island circuit which is the shorter of the two using the dogs leg. On the exit of this is the Knickerbrook Chicane which gives some marvellous action as the cars funnel into it.

There are 2 main areas for viewing- inside the centre of the circuit and on the outside of Knickerbrook. The only problem with the outside of the circuit is the distance from the pits as you need to walk past the chicane and up the hill to the bridge. A better place is on the inside but overlooking the chicane. With the right position you can see the cars coming down from Old Hall, around Cascades, Island, Knickerbrook and up the hill.

Rockingham

General Phone: 08700 134 044

Email: marketing@rockingham.co.uk
Website: www.rockingham.co.uk

Rockingham circuit map

This will be the touring cars third visit to Rockingham with the first corner being on the banking and turn four being omitted.

Hints: The Pit roof can give a very different view but it will probably be best during qualifying. You can see right into the inner pit lane and can see with some detail the teams changing tyres. The pits are accessed via two tunnels under the track which are at either end of the main grandstand.

The main grandstand is covered but the other 2 are not. All three will give you a complete view of the track but from a distance.

Everything else about Rockingham has been designed with the fan in mind.

Silverstone

General phone: 01327 857271
Ticket reservations: 01327 857273

Email address: info@silverstone-circuit.co.uk
Website: www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk

Silvestone circuit map

Circuit plan is Copyright ©1995-2001 British Motor Racing Circuits One of the best views is from Woodcote grandstands where you can see all the action from Bridge to Copse including the pits. (If you sit in Woodcote look for the plastic owls that are used to keep the pigeons out - unsuccessfully) Another good spot is on the infield at Maggotts and Becketts. There is a tannoy system and occasionally large TV screens.

This circuit is the home of the British Grand Prix and because of this there are loads of stands and other permanent facilities. The down side of being so built up is that there are restricted views and it is very impersonal. Also be prepared for a lot of walking.

Silverstone Circuit is located on the A43 between Towcester and Brackley. It is signposted from the M1 junction 15A and the M40 junction 10. Silverstone village has had a bypass built in the last year so there are less delays in getting in or out of the circuits. Currently the car parks are being resurfaced.

The paddock can be reached by a bridge and by a tunnel at the end of the pit straight which makes it quite a walk from Stowe. Occasionally peepholes are open on the bridge, which give a birds eye view of the pit lane.
In the paddock is the Paddock diner and bar but there are loads of burger vans at the larger meetings.

Viewing is predominantly through high fencing and some distance from the track. There are lots of stands but most are closed except for the GP. Some that are open have their seats removed (Luffield).

Snetterton

General phone: 01953 887303

Website:www.motorsportvision.co.uk/snetterton/index.asp

Snetterton circuit map

This is a disused US bomber airfield as you can tell from the corner called Bomb Hole. It is very flat with two fast straights; Senna (start/finish) and Revett and one very slow chicane at Russell.

Hints.
Finding Snetterton is very easy as it is situated on the side of the A11 between Cambridge and Norwich. Traffic can be a little delayed on exiting the track but this has been improved by the duelling of the A11. The circuit and Sunday market has been given its own roundabout and entrance.
It is fairly normal to park inside the track on qualifying day or even if you are early on race day, otherwise an adjacent field is used.
Tyrell's cafe in the paddock gives excellent value for money and has some interesting memorabilia above the bar.
The paddock is on two levels and is made up of smaller areas but it does get a little cramped.There are new toilet blocks by Russells and near race control. The trackside cannot be accessed all the way round due to the fields being in use and where there isn't wheat there is holes and rubble. Mostly you can get very close to the cars especially at Russel's which is a very popular spot to watch from. For shear speed stand by the bridge and watch the braking into The Esses. Between Riches and Sears is also popular but there aren't any facilites so far from the paddock.

Thruxton

General phone: 01264 882200

Website:www.barc.net/venues/thruxton/index.php

click on map for a larger version

This is the fastest track in the UK with long sweeping bends and the notorious Church corner. The spectators are restricted to one half of the track but with the banking and grandstands most of the track can be seen. There is two main areas of interest - the club chicane at the start of the start/finish straight and the Campbel/Cobb/Seagrave complex.
Watch out for planes landing between races as there is a small airport in the middle of the circuit.

Hints.
Thruxton circuit is situated near Andover in Hampshire on the A303. The main road is split with car labels being sent on straight when travelling from Andover west - the hint here is don't follow the label signs. The only thing the diversion gave you was 5 extra miles of travelling. Come off and enter the circuit near the paddock. The parking has shrunk in 2002 what with building works at the bottom of the hill but that didn't give any cause for concern.
As for viewing - I always go for the Grandstand by the club chicane (book very very early) but the banking does give good viewing everywhere.
The paddock is reached via a tunnel and for BTCC and big meetings you will need to purchase a pass but it is worth it. If you are watching th Truck racing then be aware that the tunnel is closed when they are on the track for safety reason