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West Kingsdown, Kent, England, United Kingdom
About
Located in a natural amphitheater in Kent, England, Brands Hatch is one of the world's most iconic and beloved motorsport circuits. Its story began on farmland as a grasstrack motorcycle venue, evolving into a premier international racetrack that hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986. Today, it remains a cornerstone of British motorsport, hosting a packed calendar of national and international events.
The circuit is famous for its two primary configurations. The short, 1.2-mile Indy Circuit is a spectator favorite, featuring a relentless sequence of dips, cambers, and challenging corners that guarantee close racing. For major events, the track extends into the legendary 2.4-mile Grand Prix Circuit, which adds a daunting, high-speed loop through the surrounding woodlands that is a pure test of bravery and commitment.
A lap at Brands Hatch is a thrilling rollercoaster ride defined by dramatic elevation changes. The experience begins with the legendary Paddock Hill Bend, a blind, plunging right-hander that requires immense courage from the very first turn. The circuit then flows through a series of technical, medium to high-speed corners, from the tight, uphill Druids hairpin on the Indy section to the fast, sweeping bends of the GP loop like Hawthorn and Westfield.
What truly characterizes Brands Hatch is its old-school feel and the immense challenge it presents. With minimal runoff and gravel traps waiting to punish the slightest error, it demands absolute precision from the driver. This blend of technical difficulty, high speed, and spectacular viewing opportunities makes Brands Hatch a revered venue for competitors and a pilgrimage site for racing fans.
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Track Information
Location: West Kingsdown, Kent, England
Time zone: GMT (UTC+0)
FIA Grade: 2
Surface: Asphalt
Length: 3.916 km (2.433 miles)
Turns: 9 - Grand Prix Layout
Grid Size: 32
Downforce Level: Medium-High
Capacity: 40,000
Owner: MotorSport Vision (January 2004–present)
Opened: 1950
Race lap record:
Time: 1:12.276
Driver/Country: Adam Carroll, Ireland
Car: Ferrari A1GP
Date: 2009
Event: A1GP
Layout: GrandPrix
Website: brandshatch.co.uk/
Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brands_Hatch
Downforce Requirements
Brands Hatch for GT3 cars requires a medium to high downforce setup. The circuit is a highly technical and relatively short track featuring a mix of tight corners, fast sweepers, and elevation changes. Aerodynamic grip is crucial to maintain stability and traction through corners like Paddock Hill Bend and Druids, where a planted car can carry more speed. While straight-line speed is important, the frequent cornering and short straights mean that aerodynamic downforce plays a significant role in overall lap performance.
Setup Tips
Core Setup Philosophy
The main aim is to create a balanced aero setup that provides enough rear stability and front-end grip for precise turn-in and cornering, while not sacrificing too much top speed. The suspension should complement the aero by absorbing kerbs and elevation changes smoothly.
Key Setup Tips
Rear Wing: Use higher wing settings, typically between 7 and 10 on a 12-step scale, to ensure rear stability during corner entries, particularly at fast and complex turns.
Front Aero (Splitter/Canards): Adjust front aero to balance the rear wing; enough to give sharp turn-in without causing excess understeer or nervousness.
Ride Height: Maintain moderate ride height to protect from bottoming out over kerbs and elevation changes while sustaining downforce.
Suspension: Tune for compliance over kerbs with a moderately stiff front and balanced rear suspension setup to foster confident handling.
Brake Bias: Slightly rear-biased brake setup helps stability under heavy braking approaching tight corners like Druids.
Race Pace Targets
GT3 Record
1:22.258
Alien
100%: 1:22.500
Competetive
101%: 1:23.325
102%: 1:24.150
Top Split
103%: 1:24.975
104%: 1:25.800
Midpack
105%: 1:26.625
106%: 1:27.450
Backmarker
107%: 1:28.275
108%: 1:29.100
GT3 Lap Record
Lap Time: 1:22.258
Driver: Raffaele Marciello
Car: Mercedes-AMG GT3
Team: AKKODIS ASP Team
Race: 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint
Track Walk
Turn: 1
Paddock Hill Bend
Turn 1, opens with one of the most dramatic corners in UK motorsport. This fast, downhill right-hander plunges into a compression zone that loads the suspension hard. It’s a high-speed commitment corner where bravery meets precision.
- Brake Marker: Light brake just before the 100-m board while shifting to the left edge
- Brake Input: Brief and gentle: just enough to settle the car before turn-in
- Apex Gear: 4th
- Apex Speed: 150–160 km/h
- Line: Early turn-in with a shallow apex; clip the inside curb lightly
- Exit: Let the car run out wide to the left curb: don’t drop wheels into the gravel
- Focus: Trust the grip and commit early. Over-braking ruins momentum and compromises the climb up Hailwoods Hill toward Druids
Turn: 2
Druids
Turn 2, is a classic hairpin that demands patience and precision. After the high-speed drama of Turn 1, Druids is a stark contrast: slow, steep, and technical. The uphill gradient helps with braking, but traction on exit is everything.
- Brake Marker: Hard braking just before the 50-m board, straight-line approach from the left
- Brake Input: Firm and deep, then ease off smoothly as you rotate the car
- Apex Gear: 2nd
- Apex Speed: 65–75 km/h
- Line: Approach from far left, hug the inside curb tightly; rotate early to open up the exit
- Exit: Use all the track on exit, but stay off the outer curb
- Focus: Prioritize a clean exit over late braking. A tidy launch sets up the rhythm into Graham Hill Bend and keeps tire temps in check
Turn: 3
Graham Hill Bend
Turn 3, is a deceptively quick, flat left-hander that punishes overconfidence. The off‑camber exit and limited runoff mean you have to be precise: too much speed or throttle too early, and you’ll be skating wide onto the grass.
- Brake Marker: Just before the curb ends on the right side, 50–75 m mark
- Brake Input: Smooth and short: just enough to settle the front before turn-in
- Apex Gear: 3rd
- Apex Speed: 115–125 km/h
- Line: Mid-to-late apex; clip the inside curb gently to rotate the car
- Exit: Let the car run out to the right edge, but stay off the outer curb
- Focus: Carry momentum without overdriving. A clean exit sets up the run into Surtees and the GP loop
Turn: 4
Surtees
Turn 4, is a double-phase left-hander that starts tight and opens up into a fast exit. The corner entry is blind and slightly uphill, making it easy to misjudge. It’s all about timing your rotation and throttle to maximize exit speed onto the long straight.
- Brake Marker: Just before the 100‑m board, while tracking left after Graham Hill Bend
- Brake Input: Firm initial brake, then trail off as the car begins to rotate
- Apex Gear: 3rd
- Apex Speed: 105–115 km/h
- Line: Late apex: clip the inside curb on the second phase to straighten the exit
- Exit: Let the car run out wide onto the flat section; maximize exit speed
- Focus: Eyes up early: this is a launch corner. A clean exit sets up maximum speed down Pilgrims Drop and into Hawthorns
Turn: 5
Hawthorns
Turn 5, is a high-speed, sweeping right-hander taken deep into sixth gear. The approach is flat-out down Pilgrims Drop, the corner is slightly cambered, offering more grip than you expect, but the entry is blind. Commitment and trust in your reference points are essential.
- Brake Marker: Light brake or lift just after the 100‑m board
- Brake Input: Gentle, progressive pressure: settle the front without scrubbing speed
- Apex Gear: 5th
- Apex Speed: 210–220 km/h
- Line: Turn in from the far left, aiming for a late apex to keep the car stable and open the exit
- Exit: Let the car run out to the left curb, but avoid dropping wheels onto the grass
- Focus: Smoothness is everything. Any abrupt input here will unsettle the car and cost you speed into Derek Minter Straight
Turn: 6
Westfield
Turn 6, is a fast, downhill right-hander that arrives quickly after the flat-out Derek Minter Straight. The entry is partially blind, and the track drops away on exit, making it easy to run wide. It’s all about carrying speed while keeping the car balanced over the crest.
- Brake Marker: Brake just before the marshal’s post on the left, 50–75 m before the apex
- Brake Input: Minimal: just enough to settle the front before turn-in
- Apex Gear: 5th
- Apex Speed: 185–195 km/h
- Line: Turn in from the far left, clipping the inside curb lightly to help rotate the car
- Exit: Let the car run out to the left curb, but avoid dropping wheels onto the grass
- Focus: Smooth steering and throttle inputs are key. Overcorrection here will cost speed into Sheene Curve and can unsettle the car over the downhill compression
Turn: 7
Sheene Curve
Turn 7, is a fast, blind right-hander that crests just before turn-in. You approach downhill from Westfield, so the car is light on entry, and the apex is hidden until you’re fully committed. It’s a corner that rewards trust in your markers and precision with your steering.
- Brake Marker: Just before the marshal’s post on the left, 50 m before the apex
- Brake Input: Minimal: just enough to settle the nose before turn-in
- Apex Gear: 4th
- Apex Speed: 165–175 km/h
- Line: Turn in from the far left, aiming to clip the inside curb late, avoid taking too much curb
- Exit: Let the car run out to the left curb,
- Focus: Commit early and trust the grip: hesitation costs speed into the braking zone for Stirlings, which is a prime overtaking spot
Turn: 8
Stirlings
Turn 8, is a medium-speed, 180‑degree left-hander that rewards patience and smooth inputs. The approach is downhill, so braking stability is critical. The camber helps you carry more speed than you expect, but over-committing will kill your exit onto Clearways and the run to the line.
- Brake Marker: 100 m board on the right, just after cresting the short straight from Sheene
- Brake Input: Firm initial brake, then trail off as you turn in to use the camber for rotation
- Apex Gear: 3rd
- Apex Speed: 95–105 km/h
- Line: Hug the inside curb and let the camber pull you in, avoid climbing the curb
- Exit: Feed in throttle progressively: A clean exit beats mid‑corner aggression.
- Focus: This is a launch corner: your exit here dictates your speed all the way through Clearways, Clark Curve, and onto Brabham Straight
Turn: 9
Clark Curve
Turn 9, is a long, tightening right-hander that blends two corners into one continuous arc. The entry is fast and slightly downhill, but the radius tightens as you approach the pit straight. It’s all about balancing throttle and steering to keep the car rotating without scrubbing speed.
- Brake Marker: Light brake or lift just before the 50 m board on the left, after exiting Stirlings
- Brake Input: Minimal: just enough to settle the nose before committing to the arc
- Apex Gear: 3rd
- Apex Speed: 125–135 km/h
- Line: Hug the inside curb through the first phase, then let the car drift slightly mid‑corner before tightening back in for the second apex at Clark Curve
- Exit: Early throttle; a clean exit here carries all the way down Brabham Straight
- Focus: Smooth, progressive inputs: overdriving will cause understeer and kill your straight‑line speed past the pits
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