Snetterton Circuit – did you know?
We are fast approaching the third weekend of Pete’s season which will see him racing at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk on the 5th June. We have asked one of United Washrooms Race Teams’ biggest followers to give us his top 10 facts about the Snetterton Circuit, so here they are….
FACT 1: Snetterton, like many circuits around the UK, is a former airfield that was used during the Second World War, firstly for the British and then the United States. There is a memorial for those who served from the airfield at the circuit entrance, a poignant reminder of the circuit’s origins.
FACT 2: The circuit was opened in 1953 after the airfields closed in 1948. It is named after the local village of Snetterton and originally used the perimeter road around the airbase as well as the runways.
FACT 3: The circuit was originally used for motorcycle racing, however, local team Lotus F1 started to use it for testing in the 1960s and 1970’s when the circuit was reconfigured, creating Snetterton’s famous parallel long straights.
FACT 4: A lot of the former circuit, including the Norfolk Straight, is still there today and are used each weekend for a Sunday market.
FACT 5: In 1981 a little-known Brazilian came over to the UK for the first time, complained about the cold and rented a two-bedroom bungalow near the circuit ahead of the Formula Ford season. He was Ayrton Senna and he went on to become arguably the greatest driver of all time.
FACT 6: As well as Ayrton Senna, former F1 driver turned commentator and reporter Martin Brundle also proudly considers the circuit his home track. Other notable motorsport mentions who are local to Snetterton include British Touring Car Championship’s WSR’s team owner Dick Bennetts, who mentored Senna during his time in Norfolk.
FACT 7: From 1980 through to 1994, the circuit hosted the UK’s first 24-hour endurance race, the Willhire 24 hour.
FACT 8: The circuit has hosted various major British Championships over the years including the BTCC, British GT and the British Superbikes Championship, playing host to some fantastic races in all series over the years.
FACT 9: In 2011, the circuit underwent extensive changes which increased the length to 3 miles, has announced the plans in 2005. The circuit now has three configurations, named the ‘100’, ‘200’ and ‘300’ layouts, relating to the circuit length.
FACT 10: For many years, the circuit was well known amongst motorsport fans for a tree at the end of the hairpin. Known affectionately as ‘Scary Tree’ it could always be seen at the end of each camera shot, with its massive branches appearing as massive arms and a face appearing in the shrubbery. Sadly, after last winter’s storms, the tree fell, causing heartbreak around the country for motorsport fans.
Written by: Adam Guthrie
