PolarExpress
Banned
- Joined
- 3 Mar 2005
- Messages
- 4,395
Please review this Trackday Circuit on this thread........
Brands Hatch Circuit
Fawkham,
Longfield,
Kent DA3 8NG
Owned and run by MotorSport Vision, info on circuit:
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch/circuits/brands-hatch.asp
Simply the best circuit in the UK! Brands Hatch has 2 formats: the shorter Indy circuit, and the longer GP circuit.
From the starting grid, the first right hander is the infamous Paddock Hill Bend. Before swooping down into the compression, there are typically 2 entry lines: the left side high line, and the right side low line. Find at your own peril the upsides/downsides of both - but one is definitely bumpier than the other! Paddock Hill bend cambers away from you and it is this combination of a fast/bumpy entry, negative camber away as the car goes light, and high compression at the bottom that gives this corner world class status.
Druids is the tight right hand hairpin following Paddock Hill where you need to watch your exit. Power on too early, and you will be going backwards into the inside wall. Squeeze the power on and use the exit space, and you will get a good run down to Graham Hill bend.
Graham Hill bend seems to have a multitude of lines through, and it is also the scene of many a spin or excursion to the grass. Graham Hill bend is a downhill left hander and a fast exit often finds you using the kerb and runoff on the right hand side.
After Graham Hill, it's a drag race along Cooper Straight where many may try a passing manoeuvre with enough exit speed from Graham Hill.
[Indy circuit] Approaching Surtees, it's a mild uphill left-right chicane where the entry is a test of nerve (take it flat?) or a slight lift and power through.
Coming through McLaren onto Clearways and Clark Curve, there are a myriad of different race lines. Jason Plato must be one of the quickest drivers through here as he makes many a passing move around here in the BTCC. Watch out for the gravel on the left!
This brings you back onto Brabham Straight (start/finish line) which isn't actually that straight. The camber changes and there is often a nasty bump just as you change from 3rd to 4th.
Overall, Brands Hatch Indy is a short but very technical circuit. Very little of the circuit is ever straight or flat, and it seems to require perennial adjustment from the driver to ensure the smoothest lines around. But despite the technical challenges, it is also a relatively easy circuit for novices to get to grips and is a good starting point apart from the flat/featureless Bedford. Brands Indy is a popular venue for evening/half day events, and the facilities and hospitality by MSV are second-to-none in the UK.
[Brands GP review to follow, but I'm in the airport and gotta run to catch my flight!]
Brands Hatch Circuit
Fawkham,
Longfield,
Kent DA3 8NG
Owned and run by MotorSport Vision, info on circuit:
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch/circuits/brands-hatch.asp
Simply the best circuit in the UK! Brands Hatch has 2 formats: the shorter Indy circuit, and the longer GP circuit.
From the starting grid, the first right hander is the infamous Paddock Hill Bend. Before swooping down into the compression, there are typically 2 entry lines: the left side high line, and the right side low line. Find at your own peril the upsides/downsides of both - but one is definitely bumpier than the other! Paddock Hill bend cambers away from you and it is this combination of a fast/bumpy entry, negative camber away as the car goes light, and high compression at the bottom that gives this corner world class status.
Druids is the tight right hand hairpin following Paddock Hill where you need to watch your exit. Power on too early, and you will be going backwards into the inside wall. Squeeze the power on and use the exit space, and you will get a good run down to Graham Hill bend.
Graham Hill bend seems to have a multitude of lines through, and it is also the scene of many a spin or excursion to the grass. Graham Hill bend is a downhill left hander and a fast exit often finds you using the kerb and runoff on the right hand side.
After Graham Hill, it's a drag race along Cooper Straight where many may try a passing manoeuvre with enough exit speed from Graham Hill.
[Indy circuit] Approaching Surtees, it's a mild uphill left-right chicane where the entry is a test of nerve (take it flat?) or a slight lift and power through.
Coming through McLaren onto Clearways and Clark Curve, there are a myriad of different race lines. Jason Plato must be one of the quickest drivers through here as he makes many a passing move around here in the BTCC. Watch out for the gravel on the left!
This brings you back onto Brabham Straight (start/finish line) which isn't actually that straight. The camber changes and there is often a nasty bump just as you change from 3rd to 4th.
Overall, Brands Hatch Indy is a short but very technical circuit. Very little of the circuit is ever straight or flat, and it seems to require perennial adjustment from the driver to ensure the smoothest lines around. But despite the technical challenges, it is also a relatively easy circuit for novices to get to grips and is a good starting point apart from the flat/featureless Bedford. Brands Indy is a popular venue for evening/half day events, and the facilities and hospitality by MSV are second-to-none in the UK.
[Brands GP review to follow, but I'm in the airport and gotta run to catch my flight!]