Anglesey Circuit Photographic Guide 

 

You might be familiar with the original Anglesey Circuit from early Fifth Gear programmes of the Tiff Needell / Vicki Butler Henderson years. That circuit, built on an old Army Camp was extensively redesigned to the latest FIA specification in 2007 to create the circuit we see today. 

Also known as Trac Môn, or sometimes Ty Croes, it is on the south coast of the island and is only equalled by Phillip Island in Australia for the sea as a back drop !

This was my first time at the circuit with camera in hand but with it also being the first ever visit to the circuit for the Historic Sports Car Club and with 20 races in prospect, there would be lots of time to walk the 2.1 mile International Circuit – the longest configuration available – to prepare this guide.

Nevertheless, as we had booked a long weekend on the island, it seemed rude not to do a quick recce during Friday’s test day. We were fortunate to have dry, sometimes overcast, weather all weekend – my only previous visit was over ten years ago on a wet and windy afternoon.

Spectators are well catered for with access all the way round the outside of the track. We will start at Target – the first turn after the start – a fast left hander. In common with much of the circuit, the backdrop is a million miles away from many British circuits. It’s a sympathetic development in beautiful countryside.

The next corner is Church – so named for the St Cwyfan’s - a church set on the island of Cribinau just offshore. I had been intrigued to see a church break on the programme for Sunday’s races – it appears that the church is used four times a year including the weekend we were there ! Church is a fast right hander with a range of lines taken by drivers.

The track then runs opposite the pit lane in a gentle right hander rising all the way to Rocket. It is possible to get shots of the cars entering the start / finish straight at Bus Stop, passing the pitlane and heading into Target.

The track steepens on the approach to Rocket – a tight left hand bend which occasionally catches out the unwary.

Rocket continues into a right hand hairpin followed by a short straight to Peel. This right hander is named after John Peel, who was stationed at the Army Camp that preceded the circuit.

The track then swoops back down the hill and turns left onto the Tom Pryce Straight.

Tom Pryce was the first Welsh F1 driver whose promising career was cut short by a tragic accident during the South African Grand Prix in 1977. 

In recognition of Pryce, the race weekend honoured his memory and there was a minute of applause on Sunday afternoon as drivers, marshals, officials and spectators gathered around his beloved MGB road car and Reynard F3 race car.

The full International Circuit uses the run up to The Hairpin and back. Some race meetings don’t use this loop and instead head downhill through the left, right Corkscrew – I’d have liked to see the cars through there ! For our races, the cars head up to The Hairpin.

The cars then return to the start finish straight via the left hand Bus Stop – a chance for that late out-braking manoeuvre or waving the inside front wheel.

There’s only one short run of tall fencing above Peel; apart from that visibility is excellent all round for snappers. Spectators can park above Peel or around The Banking. There’s even wooden benches around the track to rest those weary limbs.

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