Snetterton 200 circuit guide
Snetterton circuit was originally opened in 1953 in Norfolk, England. The Snetterton 300 layout is one of the three configurations of the current Snetterton course.
Snetterton 300 hosts major international races like the British Formula 3 Championship, British Touring Car Championship and British GT Championship. The track incorporates much of the previous circuit with the infield section that was completed in 2011. Snetterton 300 is 2.97 miles (4.78 kilometres) long, the longest layout of the Snetterton Circuit and the second longest racing track in the country.
Corner one – Riches
The first corner is very fast due to being at the end of a long pit straight. It has a double apex shape to it, however, the second apex is the important clipping point.
The braking point for this corner is roughly just by the number 1 board. Apply a quick positive brake and then a smooth slow turn in. Depending on the car you drive you might need to do a gear down change when you break.
You should be fairly close to the first apex but allowing the momentum to carry the car out a car’s width from the inside of the corner. Keeping the same steering angle will bring the car back to the second apex for maximum exit speed. As soon as the car is turned in, get straight back on the power and look a long way up ahead towards turn two.
Corner two – Wilson
This is the first of two tight hairpins and can be easy to over shoot the corner.
Breaking point is roughly between marker boards 2 and 1 (located down the left hand side of the circuit). Like any hairpin, it is crucial to trail brake right into the corner, keeping the weight on the front of the car. You need to have a bit of patience and let the car rotate, making sure you get a late apex which is where the large curb on the inside of the corner ends. From here attack the exit onto the back straight.
Corner three – Palmer
On the approach to this corner make sure you are as far to the right as possible, then it’s only a short medium brake before easing the car into the corner. Aim to meet the curb on the inside half way round the corner for a late apex and then power through. Aim for the end of the exit curb to help prevent running wide.
Corner four – Agostini
This is the second hairpin on the circuit – this time turning left. Roughly brake between the marker boards 2 and 1 and trail brake into the corner, meeting a middle to late apex. Accelerate hard on the exit. If you turn in too early or power too hard too early, you have a very good chance of running wide or having to ease off on the exit and lose time.
Corner five – Hamilton
The braking point for this turn is close to the actual corner. It’s a quick breath on the brakes, turn the car in and then back on the power aiming to take as much momentum through the corner as possible. Be careful on the exit as there’s not much run off area.
Corner six – Oggies
Apply a hard positive brake for this tight right turn. Aim to use the flat curb on the inside of the corner to shorten the distance and power hard from the apex to the exit of the turn. Be aware to not unwind the steering too quickly as the corners tightens on the exit.
Corner seven – Williams
This corner is probably the most important on the whole track as it leads onto the longest straight on the circuit and maximum momentum is crucial.
This corner is very similar to the third corner, Palmer, but this time turning right. Depending on what car you are driving, it’s either going to be a gentle touch on the brakes or just a lift off the power and a slow turn in to meet a middle to late apex; then power through the exit.
Corner eight and nine – Brundle and Nelson
Technique wise, this is the hardest corner to get right. It requires you to brake all the way round the left corner, which is something you won’t have to do often. There are different approaches to this corner. You can make two corners out of one, by braking harder and slowing the car down earlier, then having to re-accelerate and then brake again for the tight right hand turn.
My view is to brake softer initially and balance the car on the brakes all the way round the left turn. Increase the brake pressure before the right turn so you are ready to turn in at the correct speed. This way you brake once for the corner, rather than on, off, on. This takes practice as normally you brake in a straight line to your turning point, where you then slowly ease of the brakes as you turn – but for this corner you brake round a corner.
Corner ten – Bomb Hole
Depending on which car you are driving, it’s achievable to take this corner flat out. It is a committed corner and is important not to rush the turn in, otherwise you will get an early apex and could run wide on the exit. Once you have turned into the corner, the apex is towards the end of the inside curb
Corner eleven and twelve – Coram and Murrays
This is probably the most exciting corner on the circuit and a real challenge for the driver. It is flat out going into the corner and you want to follow roughly a car’s width gap from the inside line. Three quarters round the corner slowly ease the car to the inside ready for the left hand turn which leads onto the important pit straight
When braking for the final corner, make sure you ease off the power slowly and feed the brakes in gently to help prevent unsettling the car.