Major Revamp for Snetterton

MotorSport Vision want to redevelop the Norfolk track as a venue for international motor racing events and hope to start work at the end of the 2006 season.

The radical proposals are now at the planning stages with the local councils and include significant changes to the layout of the circuit. It is hoped that planning permission will be granted within a year, and that the whole project will be completed within five years.

Russell chicane will be replaced by a double hairpin complex and Sear corner will go out wider and featuring a sharper turn to bring it back in to rejoin the Revett Straight.

A small section of infield track between Riches and Sear corner will not only provide a short test track which can be used independently of the main circuit but also the possibility of extending the main circuit for selected race events.

The venue will have a brand new, state-of-the-art commercial complex called the Snetterton Business Park, which will include a race school, hotel with cafe, restaurant and conference facilities, shops and industrial units for race teams, car dealerships and engineering firms.

There are also plans for the circuit to be the first in the UK to have a train station.

It is the latest in the line of improvements of MSV boss Jonathan Palmer, who bought the circuit in 2004 along with Brands Hatch and Oulton Park. Palmer upgraded Brands Hatch to FIA Grade 2 enabling the circuit's A1 Grand Prix meeting to take place last month. Brands will also host the World Touring Car Championship next year, and Palmer hopes the same calibre of races will be attracted to Snetterton.

"Part of the development is to bring the track up to FIA Grade 2 specification and that would mean we could hold races for anything from the World Touring Car Championship, Champ Cars or the Le Mans Endurance Series sportscars - anything apart from Formula One," he said.

"We have big plans for Snetterton. It's all subject to planning permission but we are optimistic that will go through. I've always been very keen that all MSV circuits should be fantastic places to drive at.

"Snetterton has always been one of the tracks with a good, workmanlike reputation but it is not going to be top of many drivers' list of favourite tracks. We want to put it up there."