Brands Hatch

Of all the circuits in Britain, Brands Hatch is the one that exudes the most character. History seeps from every fibre of its being and, as a spectator venue, it is unsurpassed in what it can offer. The natural amphitheatre that is its 1.2 mile Indy configuration offers unparalleled views of the action, while its sensational Grand Prix circuit remains one of the biggest challenges in UK motor racing.

History

There has been a race track at Brands since 1926, when the land was first used for grass track bike racing. In those days, competitors ran anti-clockwise, but the direction of the circuit was switched in 1954.

The heritage of Brands is vast – name any famous driver from the last 50 years or so and they are bound to have cut their teeth racing there. Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Barry Sheene, Jack Brabham, Derek Minter, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ayrton Senna and current F1 star Jenson Button are among the countless drivers to have raced and won at Brands over the years.

In 1983, MotorSport Vision Chief-Executive Jonathan Palmer made his Formula One debut at the Kent circuit with a Williams FW08C. Two years later, Nigel Mansell scored his first Grand Prix victory there, also winning the final F1 race at Brands in 1986.

Since then, the cream of world motor racing has appeared at Brands Hatch, and the World Superbike Championship has become an annual pilgrimage for bike fans all over the globe. The circuit’s unique combination of dips, cambers, fearsome corners and hills means it is still one of the world's favourite racing circuits, and with great racing and constant development from MSV continues to go from strength to strength.

Circuit Statistics

More Information

• www.brands-hatch.co.uk