Page 26 - tdynamics

ROUND 6: SNETTERTON
ROUND 6: SNETTERTON

Norfolk’s diamond of a circuit. ‘Bootiful’

Construction of the circuit began in 2010
and was completed in February 2011 with
the new corner names coming after
Snetterton fans proposed new names for
the new turns. Over 2,000 suggestions were
received with Palmer making the final
selection and as well as the owner himself,
motorsport luminaries including Giacomo
Agostini, Lewis Hamilton and Murray Walker
all have corners named in their honour.

The redevelopment saw all of the old circuit
retained but instead of heading onto the
back straight at the second corner, it
instead turned into the new infield section
where new corners Palmer, Agostini and
Hamilton were just some of those to be
negotiated.
However, whilst the intention was to create
the best circuit for competitors and
spectators alike, the new infield section
hasn’t proved to be popular amongst the
ver to Norfolk for round six of the current crop of racers. The old, high speed
MSA Dunlop BTCC 2019. This is a circuit always saw fast, close racing but this
Osweet return in light of the success has since been replaced by races that have
of last year. Oh, come on, it wasn’t that been stretched out, largely due to the new
long ago, don’t tell me you can’t remember infield section failing to provide the
that famous Diamond Double race? overtaking opportunities intended.

Seriously though, it was a little mixed bag Instead, the races have become very much
but there was no shortage of points and ‘follow-my-leader’ whereby if you don’t
trophy’s between the two drivers. Dan make a good start, you’ll soon found
walked away with a podium 3rd and a very yourself mired in the pack and a long way
admirable 4th. But the big news of the day adrift of the leading bunch.
was the Diamond Double. As Snetterton
hosted the 60th Anniversary of the BTCC, it Yes, you’re right. I didn’t write that bit. It
was celebrated by a double distance final comes courtesy of Devitt Insurance Track
race with it’s own qualifying and no success guide. But you get the picture.
ballast. This was Matt’s baby. Ok, the first
two races were a bit of a write off for Matt Ok, let’s catch up with Matt and Dan from
but he qualified on the front row for the DD last year.
and walked away with the top prize.
Matt Neal on Snetterton 2018
This really was the big race of the year, but
more importantly, it showed off the FK8’ as “It has been a truly magical day for the
everybody was playing on an even field. entire Halfords Yuasa Racing team. To
produce a result like this on a level playing
So before we hear from the lads, let’s take a field with no success ballast is testament to
look at the circuit. In September 2010, the pure performance and the fundamental
Snetterton owners MSV announced the competitiveness of the Civic Type R, as well
biggest redevelopment in Snetterton’s 60- as demonstrate how hard the team has
year history, with the creation of a new 2.99- worked to unlock its potential since the start
mile multi-configuration circuit. The new of the season. We had a tough race one
circuit, called Snetterton, was personally and two in tough conditions, but we were
designed by MSV Chief Executive Jonathan always confident for the ‘big one’ from the
Palmer, who drew inspiration from iconic front row and while the car didn’t feel
sections of the world’s foremost racetracks settled initially it got better and better as the
including Monza’s Parabolica, the Montreal race went on. Once I was in the lead I was
Casino Hairpin and Imola’s Rivazza. determined not to put a wheel wrong, which

| 26 www.teamdynamicsmotorsport.co.uk