Circuit Popularity

[Peter Mallett]

Rod made a point in another thread that Snetterton is becoming less popular with Club racers. Why is this? I like it for its open spaces and the speeds that can be attained.

Cadwell is also a good fun circuit and even though its a little bit off the beaten track it still retains its popularity.

My personal least favourite circuit is Lydden and its not because it doesn't suit my car I just don't like the place.

I'll even admit to liking Pembrey even if it is in Wales.

[Ali Rushforth]

I can't speak for others, but maybe the reason Snett isn't that popular is because it demands BHP to do well in anything other than a one-make or controlled series.

As and when the big changes are made to the circuit, I'd imagine it'll become more interesting.

Cadwell is a nice circuit in lovely settings, it's out in the sticks a bit and in opinion is suited for bikes and karts. I don't get on with the place so tend to avaoid it.

Lydden, likewise, only raced there once and had a big accident, so unless I have to, I don't race there.

Mallory is quoted by many as being a bit "Mickey Mouse" but I disagree. It requires big balls to get Gerards right, and seeing as that corner is about a quarter of the circuit's length, you have to get it right.

Castle Combe and Donington are my personal favorites. No real reasons apart from everything seems to go right for me there.

[graeme]

I guess circuits that are out in the sticks have to be damn good for people to want to go there. If Snett or Pembrey were in Leicestershire or Hertfordshire, I'm sure it would be better thought of; if Mallory and Silverstone National were in deepest Wales, they wouldn't be so popular. Cadwell is thought to be one of the best circuits in the country amongst Seven-type drivers despite it's location - I can imagine it's not so much fun in big cars...

[Alan Raine]

I was lent a quick Formula Ford engine for a Snetterton race and was immediately nearly 1 1/2 seconds quicker than with my old one. (It was legal). You need a good engine there and it's frustrating when others simply drive away from you on the straights. I only ever went to Thruxton once for the same reason.

My favourite had to be Cadwell, when I got to know it better, followed by Oulton. The only circuit I didn't really like was Lydden and I hated the GP loop at Donington, although the rest of it is good.

Not the best circuit layout around but in terms of pleasure, Kirkistown when I raced there in the 80's is high on my list. Non stop fun as soon as we got off the ferry

[terence]

Im with Peter on this one ,I to like Snetterton but yes it is a power cirquit,it should be much better once the new layout is completed especially if it does use the original layout.Talking of layout,anyone know how Mallory is progressing?I might also add that I think the Silverstone Club is pretty boring.Donnington ,without the Loop,Cadwell has a lot going for it to,.

[graeme]

Is Mallory progressing? I didn't realise any changes were afoot! More details please - before I turn up on Boxing Day and find 4 new chicanes!

To be honest, I don't dislike any circuit - Snett is a bit mediorce but Sear is a great corner because 75% drivers get it wrong. And I love Thruxton as an old skool (as I believe young people spell it) circuit - a wet race there would be something.

Agree with you on Kirkistown being a great circuit - but it's gotta be as big a power circuit as Snett. What it needs is for some mainland organisers/clubs to bite the bullet and take some championships there - but I'm afraid I'm not brave enough myself to try organise it...

[Ian Sowman]

There's no changes planned for Mallory imminently, at least layout wise. I think there is more work on the infrastructure over the winter though.

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by graeme

What it needs is for some mainland organisers/clubs to bite the bullet and take some championships there - but I'm afraid I'm not brave enough myself to try organise it...

I think we were possibly the first English Championship (Formula E FF1600) to go there in about 1985. It helped that half the cars were Crossles which were built up the road. We were made very welcome and the attitude of the organisers, marshals and drivers was superb. I had some of my happiest racing days there and if I ever get my car sorted out I would love to go back.

A lot of the Irish drivers support English racing (well Formula Ford anyway) but not that many of our drivers go over there, which is a pity.

[Rod Birley]

Personally I don't mind Snetterton, although I always seem to have something go wrong there (jinx). My own favourite in the UK is Brands GP, so rewarding when you get a good lap. Although the chances for any club races on it are about zero now.

[kelvin88]

Oulton should get a mention here. its certainly my favorite. i have to say im not a snett fan. it doesnt flow. long striaghts and tedious chicanes. only nice bit is coram.

[Al Weyman]

I like Snetterton but somehow have managed to blow 4 engines there, 3 while I was racing (one this year) and one I lent to someone and always towards the end of the Revett straight. I still like the track though, I reckon on balance I like Donington National (not GP) the best.

[nyssa7]

I quite like Snett except it always rains there, more often than not we have had dry qualifying and wet races which gives even less idea what to expect the car to do

Quite like Rockingham even if it was the scene of my biggest crash

[Ali Rushforth]

Castle Combe must be on the list as a popular circuit. If not for drivers, although as I (think) mentioned before is a favourite of mine. From a spectators point of view.

I've raced there in various cars in a variety of organising clubs meeting (pre 2006) and it doesn't seem to matter what races are on the bill, the place is packed with paying members of the public, even more impressive is that most of them stay untill the end of the meeting, not just watch their favourite cars and go home.

[Tim Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

I like Snetterton but somehow have managed to blow 4 engines there, 3 while I was racing (one this year) and one I lent to someone and always towards the end of the Revett straight. I still like the track though, I reckon on balance I like Donington National (not GP) the best.

There must be a jinx at Snetterton, in 3 visits Ash (silver 205 in DTRC) has lost a gearbox, blown his engine, and also blown one in the car he borrowed from me. I still quite like the circuit for now (well, the half with bends in), but can understand why others find it boring.
Oulton is great to drive, but it doesn't seem great to watch at. Can't beat Lydden for that.

[Snapper Baz]

Al, I remember your Russ Swift impression very well

[Ali Rushforth]

now then Mr Ambrose. I bet if you searched hard enough you could find the picture of that "stunt".

I did that so you could get your name in Autosport Mag!!

[R59]

My favourite is Cadwell. Certainly not for it's facilities, or the way that they shut the bar at 8pm and refuse to cook for overnight racers (they daren't do that when the bike boys are there!!) though that was in the dying Octagon days. Former BRSCC Super Road Saloon Champion, Michael Willis, summed it up once "Not a boys circuit, no, no. Not a boys circuit"

Close behind Cadwell is Lydden. Both require a lot of driver input to go quick.

Brands GP is another favourite, though that's lost some charm due to those fairies getting rid of Dingle Dell.

I like Oulton (full) too.

Silverstone GP & International are both good for me. National is nothing special. Some say it's boring, I wouldn't go that far. Copse is a proper bend, Becketts is also a great place where time is won or lost.

Mallory is a bogey circuit to me. Well, usually to my cars. I agree with Ali, Gerards is a great test of the sphericals as well as skill.

Snetterton is "just another circuit" to me. I'm sure I'll go well there with all of my horsepower, but other than the section from the Esses to Russell, it doesn't do much for me.

Donington's swoops & sweeps mmmmmmm... I just wish it wasn't so expensive to go there.

Thruxton - CHURCH!! BANZAI!

I absolutely loved the old Castle Combe. I'm not a lover of the new chicanes, they have ruined it. What I love about Combe is the enthusiastic crowd, and the way that they run the show - they appreciate the whole entertainment aspect....

And on to Rockingham... which used to, but now under Alfred Buller's ownership and BRSCC running is now "just another circuit" from a crowd (or lack thereof) point of view. As a facility, it's probably the best in the UK, but it's the newest, and built from the ground up. The variation of infield circuits make it second to none, perhaps only the Bedford Autodrome being able to go a little better, but sadly the Nimby's at Bedford Borough Council don't see the worth of the facility to the area in terms of bringing money in with race meetings - so no racing there!!

I also liked the previous rendition of Croft, very Combe-like. Though the new Croft is a great circuit. It just needs some facilities.

I liked Pembrey as a circuit, but it's lack of facilities when I first went there was woeful. It's a little better now, but still lacks.

What do I dislike.

Oulton Fosters is an abomination.

I also dislike Cadwell's Short Circuit rendition, though I would quite like to try the "Woodland Circuit" that they used to use for Karts.

Rob.

[graeme]

Originally Posted by racing59

Copse is a proper bend

Copse used to be a proper bend, before they put the tarmac runoff in and ruined it

Originally Posted by racing59

though I would quite like to try the "Woodland Circuit" that they used to use for Karts.

Chop, chop - someone organise a Woodlands race day

[Peter Mallett]

Its still the same configuration but just not as damaging if you get it wrong. What I found in June was that I could get through it quite quickly but now the slightest error in line on the exit and you can lose the car at a higher speed so the challenge has moved somewhat.

Off topic comment alert I have to type this or my brain will explode! I discovered after the event that my suspension geometry was out and I was having to drive on the rear more than usual hence I got into some "interesting" shapes coming out. Thanks for reading, you've been a wonderful audience. Don't forget to try the veal and tip your waitress. We now return you to the topic

[Chris Y]

I rather like Snetterton... Could be because I drive a lot of one-make series, and what cars lack in horsepower, they can make up with slipstreaming along the straights - great fun. You haven't lived until you've been drafting (draughting) 4 2CVs along the back straight, then go 3 abreast around the Esses, at midnight, in the wet I'm sure Graeme will agree!

Same can be said for Silverstone National (or is it club? The triangle one anyway) - great in a one-make series for slipstreaming on the straights.

[R59]

Originally Posted by graeme

Copse used to be a proper bend, before they put the tarmac runoff in and ruined it


Chop, chop - someone organise a Woodlands race day

I can't see how removing the kitty litter has ruined the corner?

After all, our bit is the black bit between the white lines & kerbs.
The men from the Orange Order of Flag Wavers (and associated officials) is the other bit. We aim to stay on our bit and go as fast as we can. Should we go on their bit, and it doesn't get into our cam belts/brakes/teeth, or cause us to rotate & accellerate towards the barrier (like wet green gardening type stuff), then that's fine by me.

Moving swiftly on...

Can you imagine the chaos of a full grid on the Woodlands Circuit? We'd need trimming to a 10 car grid.

Taking comments from other threads... we could always ask the BRSCC to run the meeting....

[graeme]

Originally Posted by racing59

I can't see how removing the kitty litter has ruined the corner?

After all, our bit is the black bit between the white lines & kerbs.

Trouble is many use it - then use it again, and again. I've seen eventual race winners make up places on the runoff. And I've never seen anyone be penalised for it (I'm sure some have, just most aren't). Maybe it would be better if there was a chicane you had to negioiate before rejoining...?

[terence]

Having not been there for a while,do you still get Black flagged for using the out side of the "curb" at Paddock? maybe this penalty should be enforced on all corners.

[graeme]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Having not been there for a while,do you still get Black flagged for using the out side of the "curb" at Paddock? maybe this penalty should be enforced on all corners.

Actually, a few years ago, the tarmac strip at Paddock Hill seemed to be "game on" - I certainly used it every lap. But the current MSV rules seem to be a warning flag for using any of the green tarmac around Brands - I remember a curfufle a little while ago about a ginetta winners being excluded for "tarmac abuse" (they were warned before, and during the race, so it seems a fair cop to me).

As I said above, I reckon a chicane/twisty escape road/stop 'n' go at Copse might work better there - like if you used to miss Oulton's Knickerbrook, you had to stop dead before continuing - although this was abandoned after someone appealled, I think... If you go off, you should lose time (not be able to make it up, as at Copse).

[zefarelly]

Brands GP is my fave without doubt

I haven't seen next years calender yet, and I won't be able to afford to do too much, but its quite likely I won't even race in the UK !