Anglesey Circuit: worth the 4 hour journey?
Discussion
In 7 years of trackdays, testing and racing, wet Anglesey is still the scene of my biggest spins ever. It was pouring with rain and I was finding that the curved not straight bit on the run up to Rocket was agonisingly close to being full throttle. I think I had three spins at 100mph+ before conceding that a lift may be necessary.
I`ve been on a glorious summers day and also when it absolutely lashed it down. A great circuit and one I really enjoy. Is it worth a 4 hour drive ? I`d say yes, at least to do it once and experience the absolutely spectacular scenery and backdrop and a pretty decent layout too.
I agree with the others, the Coastal layout is better. The GP just adds a straight, hairpin and a straight.
The first time you come over the crest and see the sea and mountains in the background it`s easy to forget to follow the circuit
I agree with the others, the Coastal layout is better. The GP just adds a straight, hairpin and a straight.
The first time you come over the crest and see the sea and mountains in the background it`s easy to forget to follow the circuit
Well it looks like my perception is totally outvoted =) it's also incorrect, according to the interweb.
Elevation wise, Anglesey has about 1/2 the total elevation change compared to Donny, Brands or Cadwell. Very similar to Oulton. I'm guessing steepness is what's driving my memory, but meh, I'm wrong.
Turns out that it's actually almost exactly as hilly as Oulton - which surprises me because I think of Oulton as being much hillier.
http://veloviewer.com/segments/4680319 <Anglesey
http://veloviewer.com/segments/7997586 <Cadwell
http://veloviewer.com/segments/4680319 <Oulton
http://veloviewer.com/segments/1288757 <Brands
Elevation wise, Anglesey has about 1/2 the total elevation change compared to Donny, Brands or Cadwell. Very similar to Oulton. I'm guessing steepness is what's driving my memory, but meh, I'm wrong.
Turns out that it's actually almost exactly as hilly as Oulton - which surprises me because I think of Oulton as being much hillier.
http://veloviewer.com/segments/4680319 <Anglesey
http://veloviewer.com/segments/7997586 <Cadwell
http://veloviewer.com/segments/4680319 <Oulton
http://veloviewer.com/segments/1288757 <Brands
I only live about 20 minutes away from Anglesey Circuit, and finally broke my track day virginity this year (all be it in a friends track car as what will be mine is someway away from being able to do a lap, note bare shell sat on axle stands in the garage)
And both days I've done have been with Javelin and they've both been brilliant and would be worth the four hour round trip.
The only issue I really had was being in something that was towards the lower end of the scale in terms of power compared to what else was on track, the short Coastal circuit ran in the afternoons became a bit of problem when all the Caterham's were out in force. I found I was spending more time having to move over off the racing line and waiting for/letting them all go past than I was able to actually get on with a hot lap which did spoil the fun a little bit. The International GP (long circuit) ran in the morning wasn't so much of an issue and you could get the hammer down and into the grove much easier without suddenly having a Caterham appear in the rear view every time you were just getting into the grove of things.
And both days I've done have been with Javelin and they've both been brilliant and would be worth the four hour round trip.
The only issue I really had was being in something that was towards the lower end of the scale in terms of power compared to what else was on track, the short Coastal circuit ran in the afternoons became a bit of problem when all the Caterham's were out in force. I found I was spending more time having to move over off the racing line and waiting for/letting them all go past than I was able to actually get on with a hot lap which did spoil the fun a little bit. The International GP (long circuit) ran in the morning wasn't so much of an issue and you could get the hammer down and into the grove much easier without suddenly having a Caterham appear in the rear view every time you were just getting into the grove of things.
majordad said:
I've come from Ireland to race a 993 RSR and Elise at Anglesey, also done Trackdays there. It's a superb track and the widest track in the UK I believe ( Silverstone ?)
Fast and needs skill.
Wide is good. I realise it may remove some of the 'challenge', but in my experience it relieves some of the frustration on a trackday. It makes it easier to pass each other without risk. On a narrow track faster cars may have to wait most of the lap for a safe passing place. Fast and needs skill.
For example at Silverstone recently I was passed by a couple of supercharged Atoms through the Maggots/Beckets complex. I knew they were comming and was able to let them past without any risk because the track is so wide. What I didn't expect was the Radical that followed them as I transitioned from Beckets to Chapel. I hadn't seen him at all. On a narrow track that would have been a real problem.
Anglesey Coastal is the best circuit in the country imho. Period. And I say that as someone that lives 1 mile from Donington Park. 2nd widest in the country after Silverstone,,too, and plenty of run off so very safe, yet challenging.
If it was in Hampshire or Essex it would be one of the best drivers circuits in the world. The Corkscrew corner is awesome.
Well worth the journey.
If it was in Hampshire or Essex it would be one of the best drivers circuits in the world. The Corkscrew corner is awesome.
Well worth the journey.
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