Monza means fast in motorsport language, interpreted either in the (decaying) 4.25 km high speed track with steep bankings, or the current 5.8km Grand Prix track. It was full throttle stuff for much of the lap. With the first circuit configuration harking back to 1922, the venue is now surrounded by mature parklands, providing atmosphere and a real sense of occasion to any event, especially when hosting the Italian F1 Grand Prix.

The high speed oval track is immortalised in the 1966 film Grand Prix, directed by John Frakenheimer and starring James Garner. Due to a string of fatalities in previous races it was not used since the filming of the movie.

http://www.monzanet.it/eng/default.aspx

By Phil Clark

Starting out as a dirt track for bikes on farmland in Kent, Brands Hatch has seen some spectacular action from some even more spectacular F1 heroes. The circuit oozes with class act names like Hill, Surtees, Clark, Brabham and Hawthorn bestowed on different features of the track, showing its roots for F1 hosting the British Grand Prix for 21 years from the mid ’60s. Bruce McLaren also won the race of Champions in his own car here in 1968.

The circuit has two configurations, the longer 3.7km one being used for Grand Prix meets and the shorter 1.9km Indy circuit being used for smaller fry stuff. Normally run clockwise, for some reason those piloting two wheels around the circuit were allowed to hold races in the opposite direction. The highlight for me is the sweeping uphill run into the tight Druids Bend hairpin with plenty opportunity for being last on the brakes, or first in the tyres.

http://www.brands-hatch.co.uk/

By Phil Clark

This archetypal airfield perimeter circuit first hosted the British Grand Prix in 1948, utilising the main runways and hay bales to make up the track layout for the first two races. Since the departure of the bombers and mustachioed pilots, the circuit has seen many revisions over the years and in its current 5.1km long configuration is still quite a fast circuit.

The circuit has seen some stunning races and duels over the years, but it was in the early ’90s that it reached fever pitch with Mansell Mania. One particular memory though is imprinted on fans all round the world, when Nigel Mansell (on his victory lap) stopped to give Ayrton Senna a taxi ride back to the pits on his side, after his McLaren had expired.

Although not always hosting the British Grand Prix, which moved to Brands Hatch for a while, it is however synonymous with the event, even if Bernie Ecclestone tries to shoot it down every year.

http://www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk/

By Phil Clark

For years it was left turns only

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Affectionately know as the ‘Brickyard’, it’s BIG and very BOLD, in fact a truly enormous facility. IMS has the honour of being the second-oldest surviving automobile racing track in the world, having existed since 1909. Brooklands unfortunately no longer survives in tact, even though it opened two years earlier.

After being originally constructed from 3.2 million bricks (hence the nickname), only a few now remain on the start/finish line. This yard long stretch of bricks serves as a reminder to current drivers as to what it would have been like in the ‘good ole days’. You think doing 320km/h is fast on a billiard table smooth 4km long banked circuit is scary, imagine how brave the early speed pioneers were trying that on a bumpy uneven brick surface!

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/

By Phil Clark

Home of the infamous ‘corkscrew’ chicane, complete with its 300-foot elevation change this 3.6km circuit was opened in 1957. Located in the mountains 200km south of San Francisco this circuit is a real challenge to drivers, and continues to host a broad range of racing disciplines including Champcar, Indycar, ALMS and motorbike racing.
It’s one of those circuits that if you can’t visit or drive on it in person, you simply must have a go on Playstation GT4 or Xbox Forza games to appreciate the elevation changes as well as the tricky corkscrew chicane, there’s nothing else like it.

http://www.laguna-seca.com/

By Phil Clark

This stunning 6.8km long track set in dense woodland was originally constructed in 1932, but its current layout was built in 1965. After the death of Jim Clark, two times F1 World Champion in 1968 it was revised further with the addition of chicanes. This super high speed low downforce circuit has had its moments over the years, although again more recently there were some memorable events including a one man circuit invasion in the fast wooded section, and the odd search and rescue party being dispatched into the woods to find lost drivers who cant find their way back to the pits after a breakdown.

Unfortunately now emasculated for F1, given the chop to just 4.5km, it is no longer considered to offer the Grand Prix that it used to. The complex also features a quarter-mile track for drag racing. It hosts one of the largest drag racing events in Europe known as the Nitro Olympics.

http://www.hockenheimring-shop.com/

By Phil Clark

Goodwood tragically claimed the life of Bruce McLaren in 1970

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One of the few tracks in the world with a true aristocratic heritage, the Goodwood Estate in Westhampnett, West Sussex, had once been the fourth largest estate in Britain owned by Frederick Charles Gordon Lennox, 9th Duke of Richmond, 4th Duke of Gordon, Duke of Lennox, Earl of March, Baron Methuen, Earl of Kinrara (or just ‘Freddie’ to his friends). He handed over part of this estate in 1940 for a wartime airfield for Spitfires and Hurricanes, and with its perimeter track, began life.

The first meet took place in 1948, and with growing attention and popularity, the circuit had its heyday and the late 50s and 60s, with many big guns taking part in several races on the same event day. The Tourist Trophy race was the circuits jewel in the crown attracting the big guns like Stirling Moss, Innes Ireland, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Mike Parkes, Roy Salvadori, Jackie Stewart and of course Bruce McLaren. It was at this time that the great career of Stirling Moss endured the crash that was to end his race form.

After the last race in 1966, the circuit was used on and off for many years for testing and it tragically claimed the life of Bruce McLaren in 1970. Finally, after a long and complicated battle the current Earl of March managed to bring the 3.8km circuit back to its former glory and re-opened it in 1998, with a dazzling array of famous names and original cars being driven at racing speeds around the circuit. Huge respect for doing this – make sure you add the Circuit Revival race meet to your list of things to do before you die.

http://www.goodwood.co.uk/

By Phil Clark

Magny Cours – overtaking? Je ne sais pas.

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Circuit de Nevers Magny Cours to give it its full name is located in between two towns (Nevers & Magny Cours) in France, the 4.4km track was built in 1960 and was originally home to a driving school. Later on it was owned by Ligier and then Prost, and was their base for a while providing an excellent test facility too.
Circuit de Nevers Magny Cours, to give it its full name, is located between two towns (Nevers & Magny Cours) in France. The 4.4km track was built in 1960 and was originally home to a driving school. Later on it was owned by Ligier and then Prost, and was their base for a while providing an excellent test facility too.

http://www.magnyf1.com/

By Phil Clark