Maxi Jazz Racing

Circuit plan is Copyright © 1995-2001 British Motor Racing Circuits

This circuit has been vying with Silverstone to hold the Grand prix but unlike Silverstone the facilities are not so extensive. The smaller Indy circuit is in some respects too small whereas the longer Grand prix circuit has few facilities for spectators.

Brands Hatch is within easy reach of the M25/M20 Junction 3, then onto the A20.
Hint here - if traveling from the Dartford Bridge then ignore the first Brands Hatch sign and take the second one (½ a mile further on).
On leaving the circuit there are normally queues so stay to the end - you might as well.
There are two permanent eating/drinking places -Kentagon and Hailwoods but there are a lot of other burger bars scattered about.
For viewing the Paddock grandstand offers you a 98% view of the Indy circuit. If you want your action a little closer try Paddock Hill Bend or Druids (reprofiled in 2005). The old Dingle Dell on the Grand Prix circuit is worth a look but be aware that there are no tannoys around there (and no facilities).
For photography without a fence try standing between Druids and Graham Hill Bend. If you get in the right position you can miss the fence.

2004 was my first visit to the circuit and it's lovely. It is easy to find from the M4 with it being signposted from J17 and J18. The car parks are close to the track with loads of access points.

It's not the biggest of places taking about 40 minutes to walk all the way round and it has some really good viewing areas especially at the Esses and Camp corner. The fencing is low except for Quarry (and it is very necessary there due to the short run off and the number of offs!)

There are loads of places to take photos from but mostly they are from above except at beyond the Esses and Bobbies.

Situated close to Darlington and in North Yorkshire filling a geographical hole between Knockhill and Donington Park. The easiest way to the circuit is via the A1(M) to Darlington taking the A66. Turn right at the roundabout towards North Allerton and the track is five miles further on.

Hints.
The circuit won't open until 9am on the Sundays (if then). There is one grandstand down at Clervaux or you can sit on the bank overlooking the Complex.

Circuit plan is Copyright ©1995-2001 British Motor Racing Circuits

This circuit is one of the top three circuits in the country but unlike Silverstone, which is completely built up, and Brands Hatch that is impersonal, Donington Park is friendly and offers excellent viewing for the spectators. The Craner Curves to McLean's series of gentle bends on an upward slope allow spectators to see a good 1/2 of the circuit whereas the Melbourne Hairpin (when used) and Redgate Bend give close up views of the action.

Circuit plan is Copyright ©1995-2001 British Motor Racing Circuits

The only top class circuit in Scotland and, as such, is different from every other top circuit. At the moment there are no pit garages and no close car parks but the upside is there is no chain link (catch) fencing. This gives unparalleled opportunities for photography and seeing the cars really close.

Hints.
The circuit is easy to get to, as it is signposted from the M90, Edinburgh to Kinross road at junction 4 after the toll Forth Road Bridge (currently 80p). It takes approx. 30 minutes from Edinburgh Airport. On qualifying day you can park near the paddock but on busy race days you have to park in one of the fields and be bussed in (unless you have a VIP car pass).

For a change this circuit is in Eire and about 40 minutes from Dublin. The circuit has been upgraded in the last two years with the paddock being resurfaced and the garages rebuilt.

Hints.
The circuit is really easy to get to, as it is signposted from the N7 (Newbridge) from Dublin heading west. There is a very narrow bridge but the Touring car trailers manage to get through OK. There are 3 entrances on this road and some more further on all with car parks.

The Oulton Park circuit is in the North west between Crewe and Chester. The circuit is quite pictoresque with a lake (nearly visited by Alain Menu in 2000) and good viewing around the circuit.

Hints: The touring cars usually use the Island circuit which is the shorter of the two using the dogs leg. On the exit of this is the Knickerbrook Chicane which gives some marvellous action as the cars funnel into it.

There are 2 main areas for viewing- inside the centre of the circuit and on the outside of Knickerbrook. The only problem with the outside of the circuit is the distance from the pits as you need to walk past the chicane and up the hill to the bridge. A better place is on the inside but overlooking the chicane. With the right position you can see the cars coming down from Old Hall, around Cascades, Island, Knickerbrook and up the hill.

The main problem with Oulton Park and photography is the distance from the action. Lodge corner on either side of the track goes a long way to counteract this.

This is a totally different experience of motor racing with multiple track configurations including the oval but Gts would use part of the oval and part of the infield.

Hints: The Pit roof can give a very different view but it will probably be best during qualifying. You can see right into the inner pit lane and can see with some detail the teams changing tyres. The pits are accessed via two tunnels under the track which are at either end of the main grandstand.

The main grandstand is covered but the other 2 are not. All three will give you a complete view of the track but from a distance.

Everything else about Rockigham has been designed with the fan in mind.

Circuit plan is Copyright ©1995-2001 British Motor Racing Circuits

This circuit is the home of the British Grand Prix and because of this there are loads of stands and other permanent facilities. The down side of being so built up is that there are restricted views and it is very impersonal. Also be prepared for a lot of walking.

Silverstone Circuit is located on the A43 between Towcester and Brackley. It is signposted from the M1 junction 15A and the M40 junction 10. Silverstone village has had a bypass built in the last year so there are less delays in getting in or out of the circuits. Currently the car parks are being resurfaced.

The paddock can be reached by a bridge and by a tunnel at the end of the pit straight which makes it quite a walk from Stowe. Occasionally peepholes are open on the bridge, which give a birds eye view of the pit lane.
In the paddock is the Paddock diner and bar but there are loads of burger vans at the larger meetings.

This is a disused US bomber airfield as you can tell from the corner called Bomb Hole. It is very flat with two fast straights; Senna (start/finish) and Revett and one very slow chicane at Russell.

Hints.
Finding Snetterton is very easy as it is situated on the side of the A11 between Cambridge and Norwich. Traffic can be a little delayed on exiting the track but this should be improved by the duelling of the A11 in progress at the moment. The circuit and Sunday market has been given its own roundabout.
It is fairly normal to park inside the track on qualifying day or even if you are early on race day, otherwise an adjacent field is used.
Tyrell's cafe in the paddock gives excellent value for money and has some interesting memorabilia above the bar.

British Motor Racing Circuits. Copyright © 1995-2002

This is the fastest track in the UK with long sweeping bends and the notorious Church corner. The spectators are restricted to one half of the track but with the banking and grandstands most of the track can be seen. There is two main areas of interest - the club chicane at the start of the start/finish straight and the Campbel/Cobb/Seagrave complex.
Watch out for planes landing between races as there is a small airport in the middle of the circuit.

Hints.
Thruxton circuit is situated near Andover in Hampshire on the A303. The main road is split with car labels being sent on straight when travelling from Andover west - the hint here is don't follow the label signs. The only thing the diversion gave you was 5 extra miles of travelling. Come off and enter the circuit near the paddock. The parking has shrunk in 2002 what with building works at the bottom of the hill but that didn't give any cause for concern.
As for viewing - I always go for the Grandstand by the club chicane (book very very early) but the banking does give good viewing everywhere.