Brands GP Circuit mods?!

[oilver_sb85]

This is probably nothing, but checking the motorsport vision website, the brands hatch map seems to show a distorted circuit around dingle dell - stirlings, as if they might be altering the layout. At first i thought it was just a stretched image or an badly drawn diagram, post dingle dell mods. But checking a programme from last year, they had made a new circuit diagram - including the sheene curve- that differs from this one. Dont want to scaremonger here, but is this the reason JP is further limiting running on the GP circuit, surely if money was tight they couldnt make such dramatic and expensive track modifications?!

[Chris Y]

I think it's just a badly drawn map. Notice also that Paddock is a lot more radiused, as is Graham Hill bend. The tendancy seems to be to 'smooth out' corners that aren't exactly 90 degrees.

Like you, I don't think MSV would start making big changes to the GP loop now, expecially as they're stopping the big meetings from racing there, due to cost... So, I think there's nothing to worry about here.

[redshoes]

It's the same one that was on the previous Brands Hatch website with the MSV name replacing the Octagon logo. It's also the same one used in Brands programmes, although oddly the last programme I have includes an updated version with Shene Curve.

[pixie]

The reason that the GP circuit is not being used too much is that Mr P is not prepared to give it away for nothing. To hire the full circuit costs £25,000 a day, hence BSB are on the short track.....

[Daf_Loz]

Don't worry, as Redshoes and Chris Y said that is just the website map that hasn't been changed for a while. It's just mis-drawn/simplified. Paddock is actually drawn fairly accurately on that map if you get to view an aerial photograph, Druids should look a bit tighter though and then flare out.

There has been some new asphalt - the entrance has been re-laid in time for BSB at the weekend.

[djb]

Haven't been around much, but have been meaning to ask this. Can you guys give me an abbreviated version of why the announcement came out of the BTCC not being able to use the full loop. It would seem to me that running the whole thing wouldn't be that much more expensive for the track owner would it. I mean the marshalls work for naught, there would be some more security and probably another ambulance crew on standby, but I would have thought that the full circuit would draw a great deal more spectators.

Did all the circuit changes I read of last year get done, or is it a question still of the corners still not being up to saftey standards in terms of run off?

Does the whole political thing of the nearby houses still play a part in this?

just curious
David

[graeme]

Touring cars get the track hire for nowt, so JP is just giving them the Indy circuit - he can then rent the GP circuit to a paying customer on another of the limited days it can be used and get £20k more than the Indy circuit from them. Did that make sense?

[jonathanc]

Are there noise restrictions on the GP loop then?

[Keith Wheeler]

Quite possibly. 'Noisy' days may well be limited to a few per year.

[TomS]

Running is limited on the GP loop and can only be used a few times a year i think so JP obviously wants to make the most profit from these meetings.

[djb]

that makes sense, thanks all.
Tis a shame that they weren't able to make last years CART race one of the "limited" days....

cheers

[paulzinho]

Think it would've needed some safety updates (Armcoe, etc) for CART to run there last year?

Hopefully the lack of races on the GP Loop is only a short term thing and that an arangement acn be made in the future.

Also, I was at my mates house a couple of weeks ago in Hartley which is a couple of miles from the track and could clearly hear whatever meeting was going on on the Indy circuit, sounded great, can't see what all the fuss is about!!

[djb]

tell me about it, I got driven around Brands last May in an Audi TT and a Mustang, and while I consider myself very priviliged for that, a lap or two around the whole thing would have been special!

[Stephen Green]

The Grand Prix loop has a track licence for 23 days per year I believe. This weekends Formula Palmer Audi meeting is on the GP Circuit as was Britcar two weeks ago. Noise retsrictions apply to the whole venue not just the GP or Indy Circuit.