Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
Encyclopedia
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Norfolk
, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision
, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford
and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich
. The circuit is named after the village of Snetterton
, which lies about 2 km to the north-west of the circuit, although much of the circuit is actually in the adjoining civil parish of Quidenham
.
The circuit hosts races from series including the British Touring Car Championship
, British Formula Three Championship
and British Superbike
s. From 1980 to 1994, the track hosted the UK's first 24-hour race, the Willhire 24 Hour
.
) which was then designated for use by the United States Army Air Force. The airfield was opened in May 1943 and closed down in November 1948.
(F1
) and Norfolk Racing Co (Le Mans
) to test their racing cars.
In the 1960s and early '70s the circuit was 2.7 miles in length. Sear corner was 80 m further from Riches corner and led onto the "Norwich Straight" clearly visible in satellite maps and currently used by a Sunday market. The straight ended in a hairpin bend leading to Home Straight which joined the existing track at the Esses but is now a main access road for the circuit. Russell bend was added in the 60's and named after Jim Russell who ran a racing drivers school at the circuit. Initially added to improve safety by slowing vehicles as they approached the pits, Russell bend was the scene of many accidents and was later altered to its present configuration.
An agreement has now been reached between MSV and Breckland Council, which requires MSV to implement a range of measures to control noise caused by the running of unsilenced vehicles at the circuit, these being the noisiest vehicles that use the track. Steps agreed include limiting the number of weekends of unsilenced racing, limiting the number of unsilenced vehicles on circuit at any one time, limiting the operating times of unsilenced vehicles, building a noise barrier
and improving communications with local residents.
of MotorSport Vision
, that the circuit would undergo extensive rebuilding work, in order to lengthen the circuit and improve its facilities.
On 23 September 2010, MSV announced construction of the new infield section and track improvements would start to be finished in time for the 2011 motorsport season. The main developments to the track include a new 1 mile infield section after turn 2, reprofiled turns 2 and 13, improved spectator viewing and increased safety.
will be the first to visit the new layout on the 14 to 15 May 2011. The British Touring Car Championship
with its ToCA support package will also use this layout, as will the British Superbike Championship.
The first event which both events were used simultaneously was the BRSCC meeting held on the 29 and 30 May 2011. There was club racing on the outer circuit (VW Fun Cup, Saker Challenge, TVRs and Mighty Minis) and two rounds of the British Sprint Championship on the inner circuit.
The current 300 circuit lap record was set by Filipe Nasr from Brazil driving a Carlin prepared Dallara F308-Volkswagen in the 2nd race of the 2011 British GT / F3 meeting. The lap was 1m 39.933s at an average speed of 106.95 mph.
As one of the UK’s main circuits, Snetterton holds rounds of the British Touring Car Championship, British Superbike Championship and British F3/GT Championships.
The circuit’s licence allows it to hold an annual 24-hour race, an entertaining and eccentric event for Citroen 2CVs and a 6-hour classic plus 12-hour Mazda MX-5 enduros have been added to the calendar.
The proximity to the Lotus factory has led to an annual festival celebrating the marque and classic F1 cars often run on the circuit. In 2010 an example of every Lotus F1 car was assembled on the grid.
During the week the circuit offers some general test days and driving experiences, and can also be hired out for private testing and track days.
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision
MotorSport Vision
MotorSport Vision is one of the world's foremost motorsport organisations, and the leading operator of UK motor racing venues. MSV has a portfolio ranging from major two and four wheel championships to organising the PalmerSport corporate driving event....
, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford
Thetford
Thetford is a market town and civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. It is on the A11 road between Norwich and London, just south of Thetford Forest. The civil parish, covering an area of , has a population of 21,588.-History:...
and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
. The circuit is named after the village of Snetterton
Snetterton
Snetterton is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is located some north-east of the town of Thetford and south-west of the city of Norwich....
, which lies about 2 km to the north-west of the circuit, although much of the circuit is actually in the adjoining civil parish of Quidenham
Quidenham
Quidenham is a small rural village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.It covers an area of and had a population of 576 in 183 households as of the 2001 census...
.
The circuit hosts races from series including the British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
, British Formula Three Championship
British Formula Three Championship
The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is...
and British Superbike
British Superbike
The British Superbike Championship is the leading road racing superbike championship in the United Kingdom.The championship is managed and organised by MotorSport Vision. The Series and Race Director is Stuart Higgs. Event marshals are provided by the Racesafe Marshals Association.Two annual...
s. From 1980 to 1994, the track hosted the UK's first 24-hour race, the Willhire 24 Hour
Willhire 24 Hour
The Willhire 24 Hour was an endurance race for production cars held at Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit in Norfolk, England between 1980 and 1994. Over the years, the race included both sports cars and saloon cars. Latterly, it was contested by competitors running in the FIA Group N specification...
.
Pre Racing History
Snetterton originally started off life as an RAF airfield (RAF Snetterton HeathRAF Snetterton Heath
RAF Snetterton Heath is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located on the A11, 6 miles SW of Attleborough in Norfolk.-Overview:...
) which was then designated for use by the United States Army Air Force. The airfield was opened in May 1943 and closed down in November 1948.
Racing History
The track was used by both Team LotusTeam Lotus
Team Lotus was the motorsport sister company of English sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars. The team ran cars in many motorsport series including Formula One, Formula Two, Formula Ford, Formula Junior, IndyCar and sports car racing...
(F1
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
) and Norfolk Racing Co (Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
) to test their racing cars.
In the 1960s and early '70s the circuit was 2.7 miles in length. Sear corner was 80 m further from Riches corner and led onto the "Norwich Straight" clearly visible in satellite maps and currently used by a Sunday market. The straight ended in a hairpin bend leading to Home Straight which joined the existing track at the Esses but is now a main access road for the circuit. Russell bend was added in the 60's and named after Jim Russell who ran a racing drivers school at the circuit. Initially added to improve safety by slowing vehicles as they approached the pits, Russell bend was the scene of many accidents and was later altered to its present configuration.
Noise Nuisance Order
Snetterton has recently come under fire for producing excessive noise. Environmental Health of Breckland Council have served a Noise Abatement Order against the circuit, which the owner Jonathan Palmer is currently appealing. The claim is that the circuit has increased its level of noise to be of an excessive nuisance to residents, especially under the ownership of Jonathan Palmer.An agreement has now been reached between MSV and Breckland Council, which requires MSV to implement a range of measures to control noise caused by the running of unsilenced vehicles at the circuit, these being the noisiest vehicles that use the track. Steps agreed include limiting the number of weekends of unsilenced racing, limiting the number of unsilenced vehicles on circuit at any one time, limiting the operating times of unsilenced vehicles, building a noise barrier
Noise barrier
A noise barrier is an exterior structure designed to protect sensitive land uses from noise pollution...
and improving communications with local residents.
Circuit Developments
In October 2005, it was announced by the owner of the circuit, Jonathan PalmerJonathan Palmer
Dr. Jonathan Charles Palmer is an entrepreneur and former racing driver from England. Educated at Brighton College, he won the 1981 British Formula Three Championship and the 1983 European Formula Two Championship. He participated in 87 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on September 25, 1983...
of MotorSport Vision
MotorSport Vision
MotorSport Vision is one of the world's foremost motorsport organisations, and the leading operator of UK motor racing venues. MSV has a portfolio ranging from major two and four wheel championships to organising the PalmerSport corporate driving event....
, that the circuit would undergo extensive rebuilding work, in order to lengthen the circuit and improve its facilities.
On 23 September 2010, MSV announced construction of the new infield section and track improvements would start to be finished in time for the 2011 motorsport season. The main developments to the track include a new 1 mile infield section after turn 2, reprofiled turns 2 and 13, improved spectator viewing and increased safety.
Snetterton 300
This is Snetterton's longest layout and the second longest racing track in the country. The track will incorporate the old circuit with the new infield section. The track has been designed to bring international levels of racing to the circuit by gaining an FIA Grade 2 Licence. The layout will also host the major British motorsport championships in 2011. The British Formula 3 Championship and British GT ChampionshipBritish GT Championship
The Avon Tyres British GT Championship is a sports car racing series currently based in the United Kingdom, although they have had select races outside of Britain in the past few years. The series was created by the British Racing Drivers' Club in 1993 and for its first two seasons was called the...
will be the first to visit the new layout on the 14 to 15 May 2011. The British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
with its ToCA support package will also use this layout, as will the British Superbike Championship.
Snetterton 200
This layout will be the closest to the original layout. The main differences between the original layout and the 200 layout, will be the re-profiled turns 2 and 13, which will see better options for overtaking. This layout will mainly be used for club and local racing.Snetterton 100
The 100 layout, will be made up of the new 1 mile infield section and will be mainly used for testing and as a race school. Both the 100 layout and the 200 layout can be used simultaneously.The first event which both events were used simultaneously was the BRSCC meeting held on the 29 and 30 May 2011. There was club racing on the outer circuit (VW Fun Cup, Saker Challenge, TVRs and Mighty Minis) and two rounds of the British Sprint Championship on the inner circuit.
Lap Records
As Snetterton was originally an airfield, most of the lap is spent going at full throttle in a straight line. Although this is great for testing, spectators will not be able to see all of the cars and bikes most of the time. The current lap record officially stands at 56.095 (125.27 mph) set by Klaas Zwart, during a BRSCC meeting in August 2007. He was even faster in qualifying, setting an unofficial lap record of 54.687 (128.50 mph). As this circuit configuration no longer exists it will be his forever.The current 300 circuit lap record was set by Filipe Nasr from Brazil driving a Carlin prepared Dallara F308-Volkswagen in the 2nd race of the 2011 British GT / F3 meeting. The lap was 1m 39.933s at an average speed of 106.95 mph.
Current Events
The circuit’s licence allows it to hold an annual 24-hour race, an entertaining and eccentric event for Citroen 2CVs and a 6-hour classic plus 12-hour Mazda MX-5 enduros have been added to the calendar.
The proximity to the Lotus factory has led to an annual festival celebrating the marque and classic F1 cars often run on the circuit. In 2010 an example of every Lotus F1 car was assembled on the grid.
During the week the circuit offers some general test days and driving experiences, and can also be hired out for private testing and track days.