One of the longest and the fastest circuits in the UK at
2.356 miles, Thruxton is another old airbase which has been
used for motorsport since 1950. Racing at Thruxton is
limited, and track days are even rarer due to strict noise
restrictions so the visit of British Touring Cars and the
British Superbike Championship are the main points of the
season at Thruxton.
The surface at Thruxton is a tough one
and is known for causing severe tyre wear. Graining occurs
but it does give surprisingly good grip in the wet. Like all
airfields the winds can whip around and across the track
giving the driver something else to fight against.
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Across the start line and you're into the first long sweeping
right hand corner that is Allard. Don't let the car run too
far left as you quickly have to bring it back towards the
right to make as straight a line as possible for braking
into Campbell. The entry to Campbell corner is the best
example of a slow in, fast out type corner. It is important
to slow the car down to get both a good apex and exit, as
this will affect your speed through the second part of the
chicane, and all the way through Cobb. Keep building speed
all the way to Goodwood. Don't let the car run wide out of
Campbell, ensuring that you have a good approach to Cobb.
Don't scrub off too much speed before bringing the car to
the left to have a good line in and out of Seagrave. A nasty
bump just before the apex will unsettle the car, but from
here on its all about small movements with the wheel. Gently
bring the car to the right in preparation for Noble. Turn
the car in just at the end of the right hand kerb and slowly
wind the lock on. The inside kerb looks tantalisingly flat
but it's not so don't use it! Be careful not to let the car
run too wide or you will have a job to get it back to the
left in time for one of the hardest corners which is
Goodwood. This is a very bumpy corner with a very fast
approaching stretch of grass on the exit. On the approach,
aim your car straight towards the marshal post in front of
you, gently wind the lock on and look through the corner.
Have the confidence to let the car run all the way to the
edge, but no more! Next is the famous Church.
This is all
about being smooth because the circuit drops away which
doesn't help and it's very bumpy. Have the confidence to
carry the speed in and use all the run off, but avoid the
kerb on the exit as it has very big gaps which will slow you
down. Some cars don't mind a little kerb on the apex but try
this cautiously! It's a long run down to Club and by the
time you reach it your car will most likely be travelling at
the fastest speed it will have ever seen on a UK circuit.
Position the car all the way to the left and make a straight
line for braking, aiming towards the first part of the
grandstand. Then slowly wind the steering on, easing the
pressure on the brakes into the first part. Every car is
different through this complex, as most take large amounts
of kerb on the first and second kerbs, although others can
hardly take any. Let the car run all the way out to the
exit. Words
kindly provided by
Jamie
Stanley
Closest Fuel Station
There is a 24hr Shell garage on Weyhill Road in Andover. Otherwise there are a couple of BPs on the A303 a few miles east of Thruxton (towards London).
Accommodation in the Area
Nearest decent-sized hotel is The Quality Hotel in Andover, about 10 miles from the circuit.
