A picturesque circuit where, due to it being in the bowl of a valley, spectators can watch the action virtually throughout. The 1.2 mile Indy configuration isn’t that exciting as a design, with only five changes of direction in a lap, but the style of the corners combined with the hilly terrain make for a very challenging nature. For the spectator, because the lap is so short and fast, there are more close-up action scenes per race than all other British circuits bar Mallory Park.
Spectator viewing can be from Clearways all the way up to Paddock Hill Bend, with the availability of grandstands along the way. From there, spectators can walk between the circuit and the paddock, down the another grandstand at the bottom of Hailwoods Hill and on up to Druids. Before the hairpin there is a bridge for watching the action on the run up to the top of the hill.
Back on the outside of the circuit, rounding Druids, one arrives at Southbank, which offers parking for spectators to watch that action at the back of the circuit. This area even has it’s own toilet block, so you can take your sandwiches and squash without fear of being caught out.
Back on the outside of the circuit, rounding Druids, one arrives at Southbank, which offers parking for spectators to watch that action at the back of the circuit. This area even has it’s own toilet block, so you can take your sandwiches and squash without fear of being caught out.
Indy Section
A picturesque circuit where, due to it being in the bowl of a valley, spectators can watch the action virtually throughout. The 1.2 mile Indy configuration isn’t that exciting as a design, with only five changes of direction in a lap, but the style of the corners combined with the hilly terrain make for a very challenging nature. For the spectator, because the lap is so short and fast, there are more close-up action scenes per race than all other British circuits bar Mallory Park.
Spectator viewing can be from the GP circuit’s bridge by Clearways all the way up to Paddock Hill Bend, with the availability of grandstands along the way. From there, spectators can walk between the circuit and the paddock, down to another grandstand at the bottom of Hailwoods Hill and on up to Druids. Before the hairpin there is a bridge for watching the action from the interior of the circuit, but this is limited to the area from Druids down to Graham Hill Bend.
Back on the outside of the circuit, rounding Druids, one arrives at Southbank, which offers parking for spectators to watch the action at the back of the circuit. This area even has it’s own toilet block, so you can take your sandwiches and squash without fear of being caught out.
Spectating Notes
| 1. Clearways Entry The last part of the lap can be seen from this area. During club events, the distance from the paddock will ensure that it is amongst the quieter areas, but the spectator will be able to witness hard fighting. The lower level disrupts the view onto the final straight. For the GP circuit, the bridge hides approaching cars. |  |
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| 2. Clearways Exit Motorsport Vision Centre is very posh. I once attended a championship awards evening there when it was offered to the club at a very good price. I bet it’s usually expensive but, if you have the money, it is a great place from which to watch over the race weekend. Not the best place to watch from, which is a shame as it is hidden away at the back of the centre. There isn’t a lot of space here and the only view is of Clearways, Clark Curve and the pit entry. |  |
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| 3. Early Main Straight The first of the ‘real’ spectating point, where all the crowds will be. This area offers good views of competitors as they pass through Clark Curve and either enter the pit lane or continue along the straight. Action can also be seen into Surtees and Clearways. When the GP configuration is in use, cars can be seen from the approach to Surtees. |  |
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| 4. Start and Finish Lines This area is the location of the first of the grandstands, overlooking the scene of the race starts. It is a great place to spectate any chaos as the lights go out, and to witness the slip-streaming passes, but there’s little else, as the corners are too far in the distance. |  |
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| 5. Walkway Between Grandstands Spectators need to walk behind that first grandstand until the next, with the only view of the circuit being between the two, behind prime viewing in a smaller grandstand. On the way, toilets can be accessed and shopping completed. |  |
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| 6. Behind Paddock Hill Bend Grandstand Spending a moment away from the racing, food and goodies can be purchased, rubbish recycled and toilets visited. For a more relaxed meal, one can visit the reasonably-priced bar and restaurant, the Kentagon. |  |
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| 7. Paddock Hill Bend Grandstand This grandstand is usually open and free to access. The views are the best of the circuit, seeing close up the cars as they charge down the main straight or exit the pits, then round Paddock Hill Bend. In the distance, Druids can still be easily seen, albeit hidden by the trees when the leaves are showing, followed by the action through Surtees and beyond. |  |
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| 8. Paddock Hill Bend There is a gravel walkway at the top of the hill, opening up to a grassy banking. The gravel trap works hard to minimise damage to over-exuberant competitors, but can still reach the tyre wall. Hence the all-important catch fencing. At the bottom of the hill, the spectating area, with the paddock alongside, is at its widest, before narrowing on the way up the hill, past the grandstand and the bridge crossing. |  |
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| 9. Hailwood Hill To the left, at the end of the paddock, is the Hailwood Café/Bar, behind which are fast food outlets and seating overlooking Hailwood Hill. By them, a little up the hill is the Hailwood Grandstand. All along this section are great views from the exit of Paddock Hill Bend up to towards Druids, only spoilt by the pedestrian bridge crossing the circuit. |  |
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| 10. Inside Druids Crossing over the pedestrian bridge reveals a small and pleasant oasis. The spectator can follow the racing as competitors travel under the bridge, swoop round Druids, down to Graham Hill Bend. From there, it is a short walk back towards Hailwood Hill to watch the action at Paddock Hill Bend, before returning back across the bridge. |  |
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| 11. Druids Outside Having re-crossed the pedestrian bridge and returned to the outside of the circuit, head uphill towards Druids. There, views can be seen of competitors passing under the bridge and turning into Druids. There is plenty of action here, both defensive and attacking. Rounding Druids, one can see action from almost any vantage until the distant Graham Hill Bend comes into view. |  |
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| 12. Druids Exit This is a great place to watch close up as the fastest cars. From here, I was once enthralled as the Champ Cars (now IndyCars) thundered by, lap after lap, at unbelievable speed. If I remember correctly (I’m not going to ‘cheat’ by looking it up), Paul Tracey won. As the cars were racing on the Indy configuration, there wasn’t many quiet periods. I suppose it’s better to move on after a while, as there’s not much extra to see. |  |
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| 13. Cooper Straight Parking is available here, including a raised disabled area, delivering lovely views from Druids all the way to Surtees. |  |
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| 14. Surtees / McLaren Catch the action as competitors either line up for a stronger exit than their rival, or simply muscle their way by on potentially over-exuberant brakes. That description apples to both the Indy and the GP configurations. |  |
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GP Section
Whilst the Indy section of Brands Hatch has fine views over almost the whole of the circuit, the GP section is quite the opposite. Being heavily wooded throughout, the best on offer to the most determined spectator are views from limited walkways, many of which meander far away from the on-track spectacle.
In truth, this section of the guide is only partly aimed at the spectator. The rest is for the adventurer and the ardent hiker. While stating this with tongue firmly in cheek, there is nothing to be done other that chop down vast swathes of woodland; I hope this gentle tour will convince you that such action, especially ecologically, would be a too-high a price.
This tour starts from the end-point of the Indy tour, having rounded Surtees and passed the following brow. It takes you as far as possible by the track, before veering off into the woods for a wander. Returning back as far as the pedestrian bridge, offering a shortcut to Druids, we will cross this bridge into the circuit infield and track, wherever possible, the edge of the circuit. Much of this walk will remain narrow, often wandering far into the interior.
It was an enjoyable exercise and well-worth the effort, especially when there is no on-track action.
Spectating Notes
| 15. To Pedestrian Bridge, Opposite Druids This is a promising start to the GP tour, with wide paths leading all the way to a pedestrian bridge that crossed the circuit. Opposite the bridge is a toilet block, just behind the apex of Druids corner. The views on offer are fine, but a little one-dimensional, in that all cars speed by along a straight piece of road. Ironically, scenes of overtaking are spoilt by the spectator behind too close to the action, which simply flashes by. While not for the long-term, it is a recommended viewing point. |  |
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| 16. Post 13A to Hawthorn Bend Spectating runs out just after Marshal Post 13A. There is then limited access only for the more adventurous, with a tight winding path dropping down into potentially deep pools of water, before rising into more twists. The end of the line gives a tantalising peek of Hawthorn Bend, suitable only for the most patient of photographers. An enjoyable walk, at least, it is also the furthermost point of the GP circuit that can be reached. |  |
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| 17. Spectator Bridge This bridge is part of a shortcut for pedestrians to reach the exit of the facilities. Cross the bridge and follow the path to the right. Carry on as it winds left, past the Medical Centre to the right, and over a second pedestrian bridge. There, bear right. That will take the spectator past Clearways and onto the exit. For spectating, there are limited views, but there is a Woodland Walk prepared for the inquisitive. |  |
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| 18. Bridge to Hawthorn Bend The trail almost immediately leaves the circuit behind, meandering its way through the woods before opening up by Hawthorn Bend. Here, there is a small open space with limited views of the corner. |  |
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| 19. Westfield Bend The viewing bank is reasonably-sized for a small gathering and will probably be quiet even at the busiest of meetings. Away from facilities, but very pleasant for a quiet picnic. As Westfield Bend is rounded, the path gets much smaller, no longer allowing for that intimate picnic without the hordes trampling over the fine cuisine. |  |
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| 20. Dingle Dell The path opens up to a pleasant vista, but only for a short distance. The path now turns inwards, away from the circuit and then heads straight back to the original pedestrian bridge. |  |
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| 21. Bridge to Stirling’s Bend Returning to the pedestrian bridge, turn left onto the path that leads, via the Medical Centre and a second pedestrian bridge, to Clearways. Along that path are views to the right of the run from Surtees. Partway along is a turn off to the left. This potentially muddy path leads to limited viewing and Stirling’s Bend. |  |
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| 22. Stirling’s Bend to Clearways Approach From Stirling’s Bend, the short opening soon runs out and returns into the woods. The path ends at a signpost the points left for Clearways and right to the Indy circuit. That will be via the bridge over Clearways, or the bridge by Druids. Turning left leads to a dead end that overlooks the circuit just before the bridge close by Clearways. |  |
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Page updated by Peter Tattersall, May 2023