Today was the first time in several years that I went back and drove Snetterton. The weather was dry.
starting from the start/finish, Riches Corner is a fast 3rd gear double right hander where you drive down the middle of it missing the 1st apex, but aiming to clip the 2nd apex for the run out. You brake hard for Sear corner and take it in 2nd gear, powering out with contingent run off if you over cook the entry. THis brings you onto Revett Straight where in a GT3 you can see 150mph as you approach the overhead bridge.
Down into 3rd gear for a late apex left hander into the Complex (or Esses). Just as you finish the left hander, you are still braking hard as you clip the left hand rumble strips as you change down into 2nd gear... you need to brake hard enough to turn in and make the right hand apex as you power out towards the Bomb Hole. The Complex/Esses is very much about timing, and it's easy to miss the brake/gearchange/turn-in point for the right hand exit. As a driver, you're very busy as you need to make 2 down changes from 150mph alternating the gear change with the brake pedal and change of direction as you flik-flak left then right.
As you approach the Bomb Hole, the track falls away and to the right. The car wants to push wide (understeer) as you enter the Bomb Hole because of the crest, but the car settles as it compresses through the apex. The approach is 3rd gear, and depending on the driver/car, you probably have to lift...
This brings you towards Coram - a fast but long right hander at over 100mph - which you approach pretty much through the middle. If you turn in too early, you run out of track on the exit... and this can end you up spinning across the grass on the exit towards a very large mud bank... driver beware! Coram sort of reminds me of Blanchimont at Spa... you wanna go fast, but too early an apex and you'll be a passenger... :shock:
Then you're braking hard into the Russell Bend chicane which is taken in 2nd gear. Clip the right hand side rumble strips before turning left for the drive uphill on Senna Straight and the start/finish.
Different parts of the circuit are slightly bumpy requiring concentration or a well balanced car.
A quality race circuit that is easy to remember, but quite challenging to go fast and eak out valuable seconds...