Snetterton ‘to be redeveloped for 2011’

Snetterton is set to undergo a dramatic transformation in time for the 2011 season to make the circuit suitable for international racing. ‘Snetterton 300’ as the layout has been named, will incorporate a new infield circuit of approximately 1 mile to take the total length to 3 miles.

MotorSport Vision, the group who own the circuit along with Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Cadwell Park, hope that the plans will see the circuit awarded FIA Grade 2 status to allow it to host events such as the DTM.

MSV Cheif Exectuvie Jonathan Palmer has been planning the redevelopment of Snetterton for many years and back in 2006 plans to add a new section of circuit were first mentioned.

“With Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Cadwell Park we have three outstanding circuits with immense driver/rider appeal,” said Palmer. “Snetterton has its own character and great features of long straights and superb high speed corners but overall has lagged behind the other MSV circuits in terms of driver/rider appeal and spectator entertainment. Now that will all change and many will regard Snetterton as being the best circuit in the country for these crucial elements.

“Circuit layout is something I am passionate about and I have enjoyed designing the new Snetterton circuits. It was important to combine the best features of old Snetterton with the elimination of its weaknesses and the addition of a major new section to expand it and make it a real competitors’ and spectators’ favourite. I wanted every corner to either be a really exciting driver/rider challenge, or produce a good overtaking opportunity.”

The longest layout, dubbed ‘Snetterton 300’ will be used for the main national and, possibly, international events. The layout will keep the majority of corners on the circuit relatively intact save for Sear corner which is set to be transformed from a 90 degree right-hander into a 180-degree sharp hairpin. From here the corner will lead on to the new infield section, which will also include a new pit section for the smaller ‘Snetterton 100’ circuit which is set to be infield only.

The Russell chicane will also be changed, with the exit of Coram curve tightened up and a new 90-degree left-hander leading onto the start straight in place of the chicane.

The ‘Snetterton 200’ layout will be the version that most closely resembles the current track, with a slightly modified Sear and Russell being the main differences.

MSV is giving race fans the opportunity to name the corners on the new circuit – simply visit www.snettertonnames.com to register your vote.

These ambitious plans will see the entire circuit widened from 9 metres to 10 metres whilst the current circuit will also be resurfaced.

Circuit owner Jonathan Palmer gives a guide of the new corners below:

“Turn 1 is the existing super fast Riches, one of the best corners on any track, and this remains unchanged.

Turn 2 is very different from the old Sear – a corner that produced little overtaking, was not particularly challenging and inevitably featured cars running onto scruffy exit concrete beyond the track. This is replaced with a tight hairpin modelled on one of the best overtaking points on F1 circuits – the Montreal hairpin. Cars and bikes can often close through Riches, and this will create a superb overtaking opportunity.

Turn 3 is designed to be an exhilarating driver/rider challenge and features the exact radius of Monza’s Parabolica – a fantastic sweeping corner.

The straight from Turn 3 to Turn 4 runs right past what will be a new extensive garden terrace area at the back of Tyrrells restaurant, so just like at Le Mans you can enjoy a meal or drink right beside cars and bikes speeding by.

Turn 4 is the second big overtaking opportunity. Faster competitors should be able to close through Turn 3 and then outbrake into 4, which will have a big run off area straight ahead and feature wider track width, to help encourage lunges!

Turn 5 is a fast curve designed to require just a dab on the brakes or a lift, enabling faster competitors to close in preparation for turn 6.

Turn 6 is a tight right hander providing the third overtaking opportunity, modelled on Rivazza from Imola.

Turn 8 follows the turn 7 curve and is a medium fast corner leading on to the original main straight – such corners provide the best opportunity to keep close to a competitor ahead leading on to a long straight. Another great Italian corner provides inspiration, and this is essentially Monza Lesmo 1.

Turns 9 and 10 are the existing Esses corners, with tidying up of the run off areas and surrounds. Popular competitor opinion was that this should remain as a unique traditional feature of Snetterton providing good overtaking opportunities.

Turn 11 – the Bomb Hole – continues unchanged, its mid corner depression always creating a challenge and now enjoying a huge new run off area outside.

Turn 12 is the existing fast sweeping Coram, one of the country’s favourites, which will in effect become a bit tighter by continuing through a larger angle and for longer. If a car was just flat before, it won’t be now.

Turn 13 replaces the old Russells chicane. For me the worst corner on the existing track, providing little overtaking opportunity, no driver challenge and needing various degrees of messy, car damaging kerb crashing to be quick. This is replaced by one tight left hand corner, braking for which will prove a real challenge with cars and bikes loaded up exiting Coram. Drivers and riders face a dilemma – keep left for a fast Coram exit and enter 13 tight and lose exit speed there, or compromise Coram exit speed to get to the right side to give a wide turn in to turn 13 for optimal speed down the pits straight.”