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Snetterton Circuit

• Circuit history
• Driver's View
• Circuit Information
• Accommodation
• Snetterton Development
• Previous Winners

The Current Snetterton Layout
The Current Snetterton Layout	Snetterton Circuit in 1981

Snetterton Circuit, located in Norfolk approximately 19 miles south of Norwich, is one of the UK's fastest motor racing circuits containing two of the UK's longest straights. The mix of fast straights combined with heavy-braking chicanes makes Snetterton one of the UK's premier testing locations. Lotus, based at nearby Hethel, frequently use the circuit to develop their sportscars, whilst the circuit has also borne Le Mans winning supercars in the Bentley EXP Speed 8. Local single-seater manufacturer Van Diemen has been located by the circuit's Revett straight ever since the company was set up.

Above: Steven Kane exiting the Esses with the Revett Straight and bridge visible in the background.

Above: A view of the exit of the high-speed Riches corner at the start of the lap.

The circuit originated from an old American airfield base at Snetterton Heath and quickly grew into a popular motorsport venue. Despite being named Snetterton circuit, after the nearby Snetterton village a mile away, most of the circuit is located in the adjoining prish of Quidenham. The original circuit was constructed using the perimetre roads and a track of 2.71 miles was created. Those people who proved highly influential in the circuit's creation included Oliver Sear, Dudley Coram and Fred Riches - their work proving so important that even today corners still bear their names. The first events held at the circuit even had to stop racing between 10:45am and noon and by evening on a Sunday, because Mr Riches had only agreed to let the races run if these conditions were met!

The first races around Snetterton were organised by the Aston Martin Owners Club, with the first race taking place on the 27 October 1951. This race featured four or five cars on circuit at a time, for short periods of two flying laps, and was not exactly a race as we know it today.

The bridge just before the esses was actually constructed in the mid-90's. Before that, there was a similar type of bridge, albeit smaller, between the esses and the bomb hole that had originally been built to ease traffic flow. At one time, there was also a footbridge beyond the start/finish line, however this was destroyed by strong winds and never replaced. Even today, if one wants to cross the track at this point you have to wait for a break in the racing.

Because of the high speed nature of the early Snetterton circuit, a new chicnae was introduced to curb speeds before the start straight. This is now known as the Russell chicane. In contrast to this action, the plans for the redevelopment of Snetterton (2005) feature a sweeping corner onto the start straight in order to increase speeds and promote overtaking into Riches! The chicane itself was named after the great Jim Russell, who founded the world's first racing drivers school at Snetterton in the late 1950's. It has been realigned several times over the years, most notably in 1967 as a result of motorcyclists at the track refusing to race as the corner couldn't be negotiated by them (it should be noted that at this time the corner featured a hairpin left, followed almost immediately by a 90 degree right hand bend onto the start straight).

Above: View of Tom Chilton through the Russell Chicane during testing in 2008.

Snetterton circuits has always been known for it's long distance races and the first of these began back in the late 1950's when Autosport ran a three-hour endurance at the Norfolk track. Since then events such as the popular 'Willhire 24 hours' in the 1980's have been run, but one of the most successful was the BTCC night races that ran between 2000 and 2001. Sadly the cost of putting on such a spectacle means that the format was dropped to keep costs down in the new era of the BTCC. Snetterton also holds the unique record of having staged the longest race to have been held on a permanent circuit anywhere in the world - the 25-hour Willhire event.

In October 2005 Motorsport Vision boss Jonathan Palmer announced that the circuit was to undergo extensive improvements. More information about the Snetterton Redevelopment can be found by clicking here.

Driver's View

Matt Neal - "The amount of miles I've done around Snetterton, particularly during the period when there were no testing restrictions, is mind-boggling. On some circuits you drive a very wide car, if you know what I mean, but Snetterton is open. If your car is running well, and you're in the groove, you can make up places. If you've got it right, you can overtake going into Russell, Riches and the Esses. You've got to be committed through Coram, which is a very fast corner, but you've also got to keep a bit of balance in the car for the slower corners. I've had my share of moments at Snetterton. Once I ended upside down in the farmer's field and some turnips came through the window!"

Circuit Info

Snetterton Circuit
Norwich
Norfolk
NR16 2JU
Tel: 01953 887303
Web: www.snetterton.co.uk

Full Circuit Length: 1.952 miles

Location: Snetterton is found on the A11 between Thetford and Wymondham. When travelling from the south, leave the M11 at junction 9 and follow the A11. The circuit is clearly signposted. From the North or West, travel along the A11 (M) and join the A11 after Newmarket. Recent improvements to the A11 outside Snetterton make circuit access decidedly easier now, but you should still be prepared to queue when attending larger meetings.

Food: Tyrrells restaurant is located on the infield. For larger meetings, expect fast food units to be located near the Russell chicane, The Esses and on the outside between the Bombhole and Coram curve.

Baby changing: Facilities are available within the Tyrrells restaurant.

Disabled facilities: Located at the Russell chicane and Bombhole.

Crowd Medical centre: In the main medical centre

Toilets: Permanent locations: Near the Russell chicane and at the Bombhole.

References

Motor Racing Circuits in England - Then & Now, Peter Swinger, Ian Allan Publishing

www.motorsportvision.co.uk MotorSport Vision