Snetterton

[Del Lardo]

I went for an evening session at Snetterton last Monday on the new Snetterton 300 configuration.

It was the first time on track in my Elise in 4.5 years and virtually the first time I'd driven the car in 6 months so I wasn't expecting to be particularly fast or confident but I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was able to get up to speed.

Only slight annoyance was that it was meant to be a 2 hour Open Pit session running 6-8pm but it was halted at 7:20 due to poor light and would never have run even close to 8pm, I would have complained if I hadn't spent 70 of the 80 minutes on track and the fuel light came on as the chequered flag came out


So onto the circuit, very good mix of straights, low speed and high speed corners, I'll try a write up with my limited ability......



1. Keeping left at around 110mph brake at the 100m board down to 60mph in 3rd gear and turn in slowly and wait for the late apex, once past the apex throttle fully open for short sprint to 2.

2. I was generally bouncing off the limiter in 3rd just before the braking zone (not worth change to 4th) so 90mph at the ~70m mark, brake hard down to ~30mph, turn in hard at the cone and the apex is exactly where you'd expect, feed in the throttle carefully to avoid understeer.

3. Only nailed this corner twice in 27 laps, a dab of brakes just before turn in to load up the front tyres, turn in aiming for the apex and carefully apply as much throttle as you can after the apex for maximum speed without running wide. I generally either missed the apex or applied for too much or little throttle on the exit.

4. Keeping right down the straight getting up to 100-105mph before braking hard into 4. To start with I was braking at the 100m board but toward the end it was just before the 50m board (at a guess 60-65m). Turn in around 35mph on balanced throttle and as soon as you hit the apex full throttle as the corner opens out nicely.

5. I really didn't like this corner (well to be more accurate it scared me), the exit it far wider than you expect so you can carry a lot more speed than you think but as it's unsighted you need balls that I currently lack. I was turning in at ~60mph but I think the car could comfortably handle 75-80mph with some super strength brave pills taken.

6/7. Pretty simple, keep left, brake hard from 80 to 40mph and turn in at the cone, once past the apex bury the throttle through 7 and if needed short shift into 3rd just before........

8. Dab of brakes at the board to reduce speed from 80 to 60mph before turning in on balanced throttle aiming for the apex and once past the apex feed in the throttle for best launch onto the back straight.

9. Keeping right at ~120mph brake down to 60mph and turn in, not a difficult corner but your speed has a huge effect on your ability to take 10. I was braking at the 150m board but with those brave pills I mentioned earlier 100m would be possible.
I also struggled with the downshift from 5th to 4th on a couple of occasions which nearly caused me trouble as my focus shifted (no pun intended) from braking and steering to changing gear.

10. Only got this corner correct once (and sods law the camera was off) and that was more luck than judgement. After getting in a straight line from 9 it's hard on the brakes and I always lost too much speed which shows in the amount of space I had on the exit.

11. A quick dab of the brakes down to 60mph in 3rd and turn in, you can see the apex but not the exit, the undulation on the apex is rather intimidating but I got used to it after a few laps. The exit is very tricky as you have to carefully feed in throttle to avoid running wide onto the (very slippy) grass.

12. A very long, difficult corner. Enter on the left of the circuit and slowly move right to hit the very late apex on the right before braking hard ready for 13. This is very tricky corner, you can carry a lot of speed through it (~70mph) but loosing it in time for 13 is very tricky as you are still turning as you start to brake and the back end unloads.

13. With the speed lost, turn in, hit the apex and nail the throttle running slightly wide on the exit for the best run down the main straight.


And now some videos showing exactly how it shouldn't be done

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXEwJ61e8kQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnWI37CbMpg

[vix]

It does look like fun

[Flibster]

I loved the old Snetterton, fast and fun. Not overly happy with the reprofiling of Russell, always was a great place to stand there and more importantly - the obliteration of the old turn names.

Seriously, Murrays, Palmer, Hamilton, Brundle? At least Bomb hole remains.

Have something happening there later this year that I'm going to, so hopefully will get some laps then to assess the full layout, but I can understand why they have changed it.

[Del Lardo]

Is Russell the 13 corner that is dotted on the map in the OP?

[Flibster]

Originally Posted by Del Lardo

Is Russell the 13 corner that is dotted on the map in the OP?

Yup. Was a great corner.

[Desmo]

Only ever managed one track day at Snetterton before and thought it was a hugely underated circuit. Looking at it on a map, it looked pretty boring but to ride it was great fun. Got down to about 1.21.

It's changed massively now though and looks to be a great circuit still.

[Del Lardo]

Originally Posted by Flibster

Yup. Was a great corner.

Just been looking at a few videos on jimtube, looks like the old Russell was a far better corner but I think that they have made 12 a far better corner (obviously hard to say having now driven old Snetts) which could make up for it, the car balance shifting forwards as you brake for new Russell is really tricky to deal with (well it was for me) and I think it adds a really good challenge to the circuit.