What's Snetterton actually like? Run-off, access, etc.?
Discussion
Never been to Snetterton before. Thinking about booking a trackday there. How long does it take to get there from Herts/London?
I have read that from a safety angle the circuit is much improved - larger run-off areas, etc. - but how does it compare with other circuits in terms of safety, e.g. Bedford very safe, Cadwell or Oulton not quite so safe?
Thanks very much
Snett is just over and hour and bit from me in Tring, on a good day and not towing.
The track is very easy to find, being just off the major road.
Run off is as good as any other circuit I would say.
Its not the twistiest of circuits though, and could get boring in something unexciting I would think.
The track is very easy to find, being just off the major road.
Run off is as good as any other circuit I would say.
Its not the twistiest of circuits though, and could get boring in something unexciting I would think.
Yes, it's a long way from anywhere, particularly London and the main roads to it are riddled with police and slow moving trucks do 40, 50 or so cars and white van man stuck up it's arse. Better now I know. Go very well prepared & self sufficient.
It's a very 'low tech' circuit, a remnant. Garages low rent.
When you 'set off' for a lap, you really do drive off ... into the countryside.
It's flat but a few interesting cambers, so it's fun.
Silly rhythm breaking chicane.
If you can set a car up well for here, it'll probably be right for many others, so that makes it a good test track. It's easy to be consistant ... yawn.
Couple of fast bits, so you get a chance to try aeros and top gear, could be dangerous and the only areas where your concentration will be rewarded. Plenty of room for overtaking and fouling others up.
Some of some of the run off areas/inside apexs you end up using as part of the circuit, so it never feels right.
Not many nasty curbs.
In fact it's one of the few circuits that I end up thinking, why am I doing this, going round and round in circles.
But racing there is close because of the circuit's lack of gorm, so that makes it interesting.
Cafe is best part probably.
Heroic marshals.
(My own view obviously, I hope not shared by others!)
It's a very 'low tech' circuit, a remnant. Garages low rent.
When you 'set off' for a lap, you really do drive off ... into the countryside.
It's flat but a few interesting cambers, so it's fun.
Silly rhythm breaking chicane.
If you can set a car up well for here, it'll probably be right for many others, so that makes it a good test track. It's easy to be consistant ... yawn.
Couple of fast bits, so you get a chance to try aeros and top gear, could be dangerous and the only areas where your concentration will be rewarded. Plenty of room for overtaking and fouling others up.
Some of some of the run off areas/inside apexs you end up using as part of the circuit, so it never feels right.
Not many nasty curbs.
In fact it's one of the few circuits that I end up thinking, why am I doing this, going round and round in circles.
But racing there is close because of the circuit's lack of gorm, so that makes it interesting.
Cafe is best part probably.
Heroic marshals.
(My own view obviously, I hope not shared by others!)
Lets put this into perspective. Which circuit in the UK do you class as "Safe"?
Trust me none of them are safe. Some may appear better than others but you are taking a car onto a circuit and putting yourself at risk end of. Large grassy run off areas do not make a circuit safer. Trust me I have seen a race car barrel roll in mid air coming out of Coram at Snetterton and it put the driver in hospital. All because a wheel dug into the grass and flipped the car.
Snetterton is an easy circuit to learn and has an annoying little chicane (you need to take a lot of kerb on entry and particularly exit to make it quicker) but its fun with some quickish corners. Dont go off and enjoy yourself.
Trust me none of them are safe. Some may appear better than others but you are taking a car onto a circuit and putting yourself at risk end of. Large grassy run off areas do not make a circuit safer. Trust me I have seen a race car barrel roll in mid air coming out of Coram at Snetterton and it put the driver in hospital. All because a wheel dug into the grass and flipped the car.
Snetterton is an easy circuit to learn and has an annoying little chicane (you need to take a lot of kerb on entry and particularly exit to make it quicker) but its fun with some quickish corners. Dont go off and enjoy yourself.
One of the "safer" tracks in the UK. I do have a soft spot for it, but I'm unsure why.
I travel up from SE London, and its not too far to travel there, do a trackday, and drive back, although there are places to stay over night.
Its an easy track to learn, and a some great areas for late and heavey braking.
I'm sure you wouldn't be dissapointed.
I travel up from SE London, and its not too far to travel there, do a trackday, and drive back, although there are places to stay over night.
Its an easy track to learn, and a some great areas for late and heavey braking.
I'm sure you wouldn't be dissapointed.
Snet is a really cool place, trying to get more speed through the Bomb Hole is a real challenge just cant stop myself from lifting off that bit too early. Other great corners to, Riches is a real buzz and the next corner (forgotten name) is a really good challenge in the same way that the Old Hairpin at Donington is. Its good to get some decent speed on the long straight too. Highly recommended.
Leave early if you travel the same day though, one of the roundabouts nearer to the circuit can get very congested in the morning.
Leave early if you travel the same day though, one of the roundabouts nearer to the circuit can get very congested in the morning.
Edited by Ipelm on Friday 6th February 22:37
Edited by Ipelm on Friday 6th February 22:38
80 mins on a clear road from M25/A1 junction via new Baldock bypass. Good drive but watch out for the rozzers
i like snett. a fast circuit and from esses to corram and interesting technical long corner
the main dodgy areas to be careful is at the end of the back striaght turning into the esses (if your lucky you'll spin infield) or on corram where you carry some speed and if you come off and the grass wont stop you if wet
saw a guy bang up the front of his GIRLFRIENDS Evo8 there.........
i like snett. a fast circuit and from esses to corram and interesting technical long corner
the main dodgy areas to be careful is at the end of the back striaght turning into the esses (if your lucky you'll spin infield) or on corram where you carry some speed and if you come off and the grass wont stop you if wet
saw a guy bang up the front of his GIRLFRIENDS Evo8 there.........
Edited by shim on Friday 6th February 23:06
Snetterton certainly feels safer than some of the twistier cicuits but there are some very high speeds attainable so safe is a relative term. It is true that it is not as challenging as some of the scarier cicuits but it's a good circuit where noticeable improvements can be made. The bomb hole feels good when you get it right and there's a sense of disappointment (in oneself) when you don't. Coram can be taken much faster than you originally expected and so, apparently, can Riches though not by me it seems. as for the much maligned chicane- I can't be the only one who enjoys it. Sure it slows you down but finding the speed and the correct positioning coming out is another challenge which makes a massive difference on the start finish straight. I'm no expert but I think it is a fun, fast and fairly unintimidating circuit. I've been there a few times and will be back again I have no doubt. I live on the far side of Herts (Chorleywood) and I allow an hour and a half and haven't been late yet.
I'd go with much of what is said above but it's worth noting that the top speeds you will reach aren't that much different from a lot of other major circuits, the straights are fairly long but this is balanced by the relatively low entry speeds and in the case of Revett the tight left at the end of the straight; compare that the the speed you carry through Cascades onto Lakeside and then into Island bend at Oulton and you'll probably find that the speed at the end of the straight is only a few mph higher at Snett.
I'd also have to agree with the "boring" comments, Snett's worth a visit but you wouldn't keep going back once you've been to places like Cadwell and Oulton.
Steve H
I'd also have to agree with the "boring" comments, Snett's worth a visit but you wouldn't keep going back once you've been to places like Cadwell and Oulton.
Steve H
Hi plenty of youtube stuff, I run there as much as i can in the MGC, its good for setting up and finding improvements. Can be tedious if only a few cars to have a go at. I just poodle down the back straight till the end then try and get round the left right as fast as i can carrying speed through the bomb hole to get the car bouncing on the limit.
try youtube MGCGTS chormy
will be there 27th Feb I hope
try youtube MGCGTS chormy
will be there 27th Feb I hope
Theres a place just 1-2 miles down the road past the Snetterton Entrance. It's called Breckland Lodge (http://www.brecklandlodge.co.uk). Go past the Snet entrance and at the next roundabout you turn right towards Attleborough, it's immediatley on the right. Big carpark, easy access and parking for trailers.
I'm told rooms are about £45-50, haven't stayed there myself but know many that have and it's ok.
Maxx
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