Turn One

Starting on the Grid for the Coastal Circuit, turn one is quite tricky. With few reference points it is important to find your own marker, ensuring you get the very late apex necessary to stay left for ‘The Banking’. Keep tidy in turn one, don’t use the entire road on the exit, as the next corner is vital – one of the most important on the lap.

Banking

This name conjures up images of Rockingham or Indianapolis. I need to manage expectations. It is a 10% banked curve. Barely noticeable from the trackside, the banking does actually play a big role in a quick lap here. You can enter the 180 degree bend far faster than most hairpins and it helps take care of any understeer issues. However, you need to be focused on an apex two thirds of the way around and a very neat exit. There is no kerb on the exit, so a precise use of all the road is critical.

Church

A ballsy bend. With downforce or slicks it is pretty much flat for most cars, but most road car drivers will have to play with the throttle through here – but very few will brake. Just ensure your line allows you to be on the power very early, as the next section is flat out – and uphill. Tardiness in Church will cost you the lap.

Coastal Straight

Not a straight at all! It is a bit like the start line at Brands Hatch, constantly curving right. The tricky part is the blind crest at the end. Tricky, because at first you will undoubtedly brake far too early. It is very steep here (try walking it!) and the gradient means you can brake very, very late and let gravity do its work. Pick a line that means you will be braking in a straight line.

Rocket

The left hander is on the crest. Blind, tight and very technical. You need a very late and tidy entry to stay left after the apex. Don’t let the car run wide here, because Rocket then goes 180 degrees right. In a front wheel drive car, this little complex is the perfect place to practice dangling a rear wheel in the air to help your turn-in. In a rear wheel drive car, diligent throttle work will pay dividends.

Peel

Whilst Rocket is tighter than it looks, Peel is the opposite. The entry looks like a straightforward 90 degree right, but the exit is on a crest that disguises the way the corner opens out on exit. You can carry a lot more speed through the exit here than you first imagine.

Corkscrew

If you are on the Coastal circuit, this is the final corner, but the highlight of the lap. Dropping steeply down (take in the view on your victory lap) the left hander demands a trailing throttle to keep the car right for a heavy brake into the right handed part. Neatness here means the final plunge left will be one continuous, progressive application of power to the finish line.

On the GP Circuit, this corner is a tight left hander. It is easy to carry far too much speed in, as the entry is deceptively wide. Instead, tuck the nose in early and aim to be on the power before the apex far the Tom Pryce straight, named after Wales’ lost F1 star.

Hairpin

A frustrating corner that lacks the flow or challenge of the rest of the lap. Pretty featureless and straightforward, it winds onto the national circuit pit straight – the only stretch of tarmac in common with the old circuit.

Final bend

A difficult one to judge braking for. The pit lane slip road is on the entry to this bend and makes it tricky to find the turn in point here. A late, tidy apex keeps you neat and lined up perfectly for the more important Turn One/Banking run.