I’ve always loved this circuit. It was the first I ever drove on, with my learning just how hopeless my sense of direction was. It took decades, but I can now learn my way. It was also the first circuit that I applied my TrackTeach software to, which led onto my first (and so far, only) pole position. Back in 2017 it gave me another first: finally, my first championship win. It’s worth the long drive, with the management being incredibly helpful and friendly. The circuit itself, while flat, is certainly not featureless. It is very challenging and you know that, if you have won it, you’re a real racing driver.
Pembrey Circuit
Llanelli,
Carmarthenshire.
SA16 0HZ.
01554 891042
email: pembrey@barc.net
Technical
The technical information has been extracted from the Motorsport UK Yearbook 2024, published online and effective from 01/01/2024.
Length: 1.46 miles, 2.350 km
Number of Starters
Racing & Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc: 24
Racing & Sports Racing Cars up to 2000cc: 30
Other Classes: 34
Truck: 20
Speed Limits
Paddock Speed Limit: 5 mph
Access Roads Speed Limit: 10 mph
Pit Lane Speed Limit: 60 kph – 37.28 mph
Getting There
The above link provides a map and advice on how to access the circuit for competitors and spectators.
SatNav
Entering a post code into my satnav usually gets me there, but not always, so I also include GPS coordinates with this guide. What3Words are also an increasingly useful addition. I try to find a w3w location with at least one word that is related to motor racing; I also try to find short words or a humorous sentence.
I have also provided coordinates and What3Words for a position within the paddock. This could be useful as a meeting point for guests.
Circuit Entrance Coordinates:
51°42’35.21″,-4°18’8.99″
51.70978025027089, -4.3024982986405345
Circuit Entrance What3words:
///cuddled.winners.deliver
Paddock 1 Coordinates:
51°42’16.06″,-4°19’19.25″
51.70446018197405, -4.322014783465823
Paddock 1 What3words:
///presuming.spun.replays
Useful Links and Information
Google Map of Paddock and Pits
Track Limits
There are no track limits sensors on the exit of any corner, but the MSA rules still apply. Follow the above link to read of them. A summary is:
- The white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track. So are the kerbs.
- If any wheel wholly leave the defined part of the track (the white line or the kerb), track limits are exceeded.
- In qualifying, any offence will result in that lap time being disqualified.
- In a race, a second offence will result in a warning flag. Subsequent offences will be punished with increasing severity, culminating in the black flag – disqualification.
Paddock and Facilities
There are two paddocks. Paddock 1 is within the circuit, on and to the west of the runway. Camping is available to the east of the runway.
Paddock 2 is on the outside of the side, to the west of the circuit’s crossing point.
Camping Facilities
Inside the circuit, to the east of the runway and south of the restaurant.
Showers and Toilets
There is a toilet block just south of the restaurant (to the right of the restaurant’s entrance). From here, there is a path that leads to the pits, via scrutineering and the paddock office. Shortly after these two, on the left, is a toilet / shower block.
For paddock 2, there is a further toilet block. Heading along the runway from the circuit entrance, the block is on the left, close to Spitfires corner.
Waste Facilities
Caravan Waste
A waste disposal point can be found behind the shower blocks, on the opposite side to the entrances.
Oil Waste
There is a waste oil disposal point at the rear of scrutineering.
Recycling Facilities
If I remember correctly, there are no recycling facilities.
To Be Confirmed.
Electricity
If I remember correctly, there are no electricity supplies in the paddock.
To Be Confirmed.
Water
There is a tap at the side of the toilet block which is by the F1 restaurant. This is on the gents side, the side furthest from the restaurant.
Restaurant and Bar
The restaurant is located inside the paddock, immediately after the circuit entrance, on the left. A road runs from it all the way down to the pits, via the paddock office and scrutineering.
I often use these facilities in the evening, as I have always found them to be open, including when testing the day before a race meeting. The food has always been well-priced, plentiful and more than satisfactory.
I have previously enjoyed the attendance of a live band and a good audience. Nevertheless, the facilities are more than large enough to find somewhere to sit and eat.
The toilets are to the right of this photograph, with external water available from there.
Spectating Points
Pembrey is the first circuit I every drove on, tested at, gained a pole position at and won at. All at different times. It’s also the first circuit I had a big crash at, but I’ll keep quiet about that!
Way back in 2005 I created a software application called TrackTeach and applied it to Pembrey, using information from the then chief circuit instructor, Nigel Hughes. From there I won the aforementioned pole position, which put me straight into the main race, allowing me to watch the qualification race from above Hatchets Hairpin. That was interesting, as every driver turned in way too early; so much so that, if any had bought my application, they would have escaped qualification. Or they could have just watched the faster drivers in action at various corners, especially the first.
There’s always something to learn by spectating, even if only how much fun motor racing can be.
To get to the first three viewing areas (numbered here as 1 to 7) from the inner paddock, one must cross the circuit. The crossing is manned by marshals who open it briefly between session, so it is a good idea to keep be aware of timings, especially for competitors who, if they mistime their crossing, could miss their race.
Official Locations
| Signing On | Signing on takes place at the paddock office. On crossing the circuit to gain access to the paddock, turn right. It is the first building on the right, opposite Scrutineering. |
| Race Admin | This is the paddock office. On crossing the circuit to gain access to the paddock, turn right. It is the first building on the right, opposite Scrutineering. |
| Race Control | Located between the two sets of garages that run along the pit lane. |
| Clerk of the Course | See Race Control. |
| Timekeeping | See Race Control. |
Race Locations
| Scrutineering | On crossing the circuit to gain access to the paddock, turn right. It is the first building on the left, opposite the Paddock Office. |
| Noise Test | This is usually carried out at the entrance to the Assembly Area. |
| Assembly Area | Paddock 1 From the circuit crossing, continue (with the F1 Restaurant to the left and Scrutineering to the right) to the end of the runway. Here is the entrance to the Assembly Area. From here, marshals direct competitors across the pit lane entry and onto the circuit before Honda Curve. Paddock 2 Located at the circuit crossing. |
| Parc Ferme | By the circuit crossing. Marshals will slow competitors through Hatchets, Spitfires and Debeni, directing them into parc ferme. For Paddock 1, drivers will turn right, for Paddock 2 they will turn left. In both cases parc ferme is right by the circuit. |
| Pit Lane | The pit lane entry immediately follows Carter’s Curve, so it is good practice to stay right and raise a hand in indication. The driver will pass the Assembly Area exit and then steer right-left-right in slowing to enter the pit lane. Be aware of the speed limit which, while normally 50kph, may be slower at such events as truck meetings. On exiting the pit lane for the circuit, be aware that this is a high-speed straight and so only re-join the racing line if absolutely confident that there are no overtaking traffic. |
| Starting Grid | Exiting Honda Curve, slow down as the starting grid is straight ahead. |
Petrol Availability
Petrol is not available on-site. The closest, time-wise, from the circuit is a Murco station, five miles to the north. The Sandy Road Service Station is the closest station to the East. The nearest Shell station, which I believe sells 98-RON petrol, is around half an hour away, to the east.
Murco
North, 5.0 miles, around 12 minutes
68 Church Rd,
Burry Port.
SA16 0TA.
Sandy Road Service Station
East 7.6 miles, around 17 minutes
Sandy Rd,
Llanelli
SA15 4DP.
Shell
East, 10.9 miles, around 26 minutes
Dafen Road,
Dafen,
Llanelli.
SA14 8LY.
Race Reports
Here are links to all of my race reports for this circuit and configuration:
YouTube Videos
Here are links to all of my YouTube videos for this circuit and configuration:
Information Pack
Here are the latest copies of all the personalised files that make up my Information Pack.
- Information Pack
- Personal Timetable
- Motor Racing Checklist
- Lap Times Spreadsheet
- Directions and Paddock
- Marshal Posts
- Corner Notes
Return to the Circuits page.
Page updated by Peter Tattersall, March 2022