British Tour Car Championship Circuit, Snetterton > Reviews (1)

Before I write this I may run the risk of talking about something people aren't interested in any more. But I'll try anyway! This is an op based on the time I went to Snetterton this year for rounds 15 and 16 of the British Touring car championship - but the twist is it is run in the dark! Hope you enjoy this...

WHERE IS SNETTERTON?

It has to be said that it is actually in the middle of no where. The main road into East Anglia is the A14 but that doesn't run through Norfolk. I live in Bury St Edmunds, in central Suffolk and as Snettereton is on the border of Norfolk and Suffolk that is why I'm an often visitor. Take a trip through the country lanes and think about following other traffic. Thetford is quite near so if you look on the mao you should see Snetterton marked on it. Warning! Even though we have been a few times the different roads can send you the wrong way and traffic is a problem as the road isn't the most swift especially if it is being inundated by traffic.

THE TRACK

Compared to say... Silverstone and Donington Park, Snetterton looks quite sparse. The track is essentially an old airfield in the middle of the Norfolk countryside surrounded by potato fields. The layout is simple but very exhilarating. The first right hander can be taken quickly and that is followed by slower 90 degree right hander which leads onto the mega-fast Revett straight. It may be straight but its seen its fair share of the action. The next corner, the bombhole, is probably the most spectator packed corner on the track. It has been transformed over the years and it is slower now as it includes one of the tightest corners on the UK tracks. This goes stright into Coram which is a fast right hander which leads nicely into the most important corner on the track, the Russell chicane. This tight right, left turn sets you up for a drag down the home straight and into another lap.

FIRST RACE

It isn't hard to wonder who lined up on the first 2 rows. Once again Vauxhall had dominated with the Astra cars up front. Although the first race isn't meant to be in darkness, the bad weather and the drizzle meant the cars were run in the twilight of the low cloud. It was quite a stunning view. I and my Dad stood at the final Russell chicane corner, eager for some of the action. The race started under dim lights and unsurprisingly the 3 Vauxhalls sped away from the field with Jason Plato leading the field. Yvan Muller and James Thompson followed behind. Pole sitter Phil Bennett had pulled out with a blown engine The first race has 8 main works cars from Vauxhall, Lexus, Peugeot and Alfa Romeo (although the latter didn't start thanks to engine problems!). These are then followed by the slower, less experianced drivers in the privateers class. Their cars have less modifications. Rules for the year 2001 meant the Privateers start a lap ahead for the first race and the works class have to catch them up before the end of the race. This makes the end of the race great fun to watch. Indeed the action down below was even better and with several bumps and barges involving the Peugeots, Hondas and Fords.

In the end Gareth Howell held onto the end with a stormer of a drive to win the race outright just ahead of the Vauxhall twins of Yvan Muller in 2nd and Jason Plato in 3rd. As light fell the tension grew and I was really looking for it!

THE SECOND RACE

The 16th round of the BTCC was to be run in the dark and in the wet as the heavens opened and dumped its load on some unexpectant - and umbrellaless - individuals, like us! Yvan Muller was on pole for the second race. Again the 4 Vauxhalls started the race in the lead and went on to stretch their lead ahead of a distant 5th place Tommy Erdos in the Lexus IS200 and the 2 Peugeot 406 Coupes. The race was fantastic! It was full of action as the cars raced into the dark abyss of the night with only a few lights as guidence. After a bad start and the dissapointment of the first race, Phil Bennett clawed his way up from 4th to 2nd and began to challenge Jason Plato for the lead of the race. Indeed the speedy Bennett and his egg sponsored Astra took the lead - briefly. He slipped up the inside of the first corner only to run wide and be punted off by Plato who sent his 'team mate' into the potato fiels, wrecking his front end. Bennett pitted and came out again in last place. A dorment period saw a drop in entertainmnet - only for the rain to really tip it down and make an already slippy track trechorous. The first person to find this out was Tommy Erdos who went on at the end of the 130mph revett straight and crash into a hay bail, but carry on. Gareth Howell in his production Ford Focus slipped on the slippy Coram curve and fall off the track and out of the race. I was a little dissapointed by the lack of action at my corner but I was pleased to see a bit of action when Rob Collard in his Renault Clio spun and came to rest just a few metres away from my feet. As I marvelled at Collards crash, Dan Eaves in his very powerful peugeot 406 coupe fell off the racing line onto the 'skating rink' off line and slammed into the barrier at 100mph showering the spectators in water from the tyres. Luckily he was okay but it was close as the impact was massive. Snow racing champ Yvan Muller, currently running in 3rd place even got a taste of the slippery stuff when he lost the back end of his Astra, hit the wet grass, spun 3 times in a cloud of tyre smoke and then just carried on to finish in a brilliant 3rd place. It was then that the race was abruptly stopped due to bad weather and worsening conditions.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

If you’re a fan of fireworks you wont be dissapointed as just before the 2nd race there is a huge fireworks display to wow and astound the fans. I’ve seen it and it is stunning! It has to be said that Snetterton officials have done what they can to please the customer because there is a mini-fanfair in the mid field to please youngsters. It provides a great spectacle, not to mention great fun!

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

A CAMERA – Whats the point in watching the action if you cant look back at it with some photos.

Oh get a flash and make sure your quick on the button as those cars speed round!

FOOD – There is plenty of junk food and burger bars but there are huge queues, so save the bother and prepare before hand1

SEATS AND WARM CLOTHES – The nights get very cold even in the summer so wrap up warm and get some seats as the wet grass isn’t too inviting – as we found out too!

AND LAST OF ALL – Your money!!

FACILITIES

TOILET - Although they aren’t bad some look like a dump and have big queues also. A bottle looks quite inviting!

FOOD – As I said bars and stools are set up for your catering needs but they are expensive and you have to queue for a long time so buy your own food.

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Snetterton is a bit in the middle of nowhere so plan ahead

After the races there is a mad rush for the exits so park the car near to you and preferably sit near an exit. If you’ve ever been then you’ll know what I mean.

AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL – ENJOY YOURSELF AND ENJOY THE INTENSE ATMOSPHERE!

OVERALL

Any BTCC race is great to go and see but the night races are the essence of racing and great fun. Even though the BTCC has received some bad reviews recently, being there is great fun and shouldn’t be missed. Just a warning though, the night races could be scrapped for money costs, so beware.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and thanks…

SOLEX/OLLIE