My personal favourite spectating point overlooks Hollywood, while taking in views of Redgate all the way to Old Hairpin. In a short period of sunshine I sat at a table at the right-hand base of the grandstand, considering that raised location being the best spot of all. Or you could try the grandstand. I went up it just to take a couple of photographs, only for a friendly marshal to point out that there was a £10 entry fee. Once my tight northern heart restarted, I apologised and left.
Behind this grandstand was a toilet block and, for this truck meeting, there were, in a separate area, several food stalls.
I was able to walk (or run) all the way round to Coppice, but no further on the outside of the circuit. I was able to go through a tunnel and then travel the length of the inner perimeter.
Also at Coppice was a parking area specifically for the disabled. This had great views of the circuit, from McLeans to Coppice.
| 1: Redgate | |
| Starting from the North Western point of the paddock, looking at Marshal Post 1, which overlooks Redgate. |  |
| The path takes the spectator to the very edge of Redgate’s run-off. |  |
| A view of the exit. |  |
| The start line can be seen. |  |
| As can the exit. The grandstand overlooking Hollywood is in the distance. |  |
| 2: Hollywood and Grandstand | |
| Approaching the grandstand. The hill below is restricted during truck meetings, hence the temporary fencing. At the bottom is a gap that will be closed during the truck events, with all spectators being removed before the start. |  |
| At the back of the grandstand is a toilet block, while on the other side are food vans. |  |
| Fantastic views from the grandstand, but it can cost £10. |  |
| Almost as good a view from just below the grandstand, and this is free! |  |
| 3: Old Hairpin | |
| The short walk to Old Hairpin, with a toilet block opposite the marshal post. |  |
| The toilet block opposite the marshal post. |  |
| View approaching Old Hairpin. |  |
| View exiting Old Hairpin, with the old bridge in the background. |  |
| 4: Starkey’s Bridge | |
| The bridge can be seen ahead. |  |
| The view from Starkey’s Bridge. |  |
| Overlooking Starkey’s Bridge and Old Hairpin. |  |
| View of Schwantz Curve and towards McLeans Corner. |  |
| 5: McLeans Corner | |
| Just past Schwantz Curve, looking towards McLeans Corner. |  |
| There is a toilet block by McLeans Corner. |  |
| Looking back from the exit of McLeans Corner. |  |
| Looking forward from the exit of McLeans Corner. |  |
| 6: Disabled Parking by Coppice In | |
| I was unaware of this area until I arrived at it, as part of my spectating photography, and I was unable to find out details of how to access it. There is a gate behind the Coppice marshal post and I believe that arrangements need to be made for this to be unlocked. Once in, this is the entry. |  |
| It is a large area with portable toilet facilities. |  |
| The view back towards McLeans is good. |  |
| The view of Coppice itself is excellent. |  |
| 7: Coppice | |
| This isn’t the greatest of views, through an access road to the circuit. |  |
| Another not ideal view. The previous hilltop views spoilt us. Perhaps Coppice is a little too far away … |  |
| … especially as you can go no further … |  |
| … unless you go under the pedestrian tunnel to the infield. |  |
| 8: Coppice, Down to the Esses | |
| Midway between Coppice and the Esses, the viewing isn’t worth the long trudge. |  |
| Further down, there is a gap allowing a clearer view, which is fine for a few minutes. The chicane isn’t too far way, so it may be worth watching from here. |  |
| This is a better viewing point, especially if the National configuration is in use, as it is raised. The tunnel into the Melbourne Loop can be seen. |  |
| 9: Fogarty’s Esses | |
| Having taken the tunnel into the Melbourne Loop, this is the view from Fogarty’s Esses. The sloping grass on the far left drops down to the path to the tunnel. |  |
| This toilet block is opposite the tunnel entrance. |  |
| This view is from further round Fogarty’s Esses. |  |
| Looking at Fogarty’s Esses from the exit. |  |
| 10: Fogarty’s Esses to the Melbourne Hairpin | |
| The area towards the hairpin has a grassy area that isn’t very wide, but is raised for a good view. There is also a toilet block. |  |
| A good view of the Melbourne Hairpin. |  |
| Looking left from the end of this bank and you see the entrance. |  |
| Leaving the banking, the return to the paddock can be delayed by watching the action from the hairpin’s apex. |  |
| 11: Paddock Infield Tunnel | |
| From the Melbourne Hairpin, enter the paddock and turn right, to walk diagonally across to the left-side of Garage 39. Between there and Scrutineering is a tunnel that gains access to the infield. |  |
| Any spectators on a bicycle will need to dismount. |  |
| On the infield, there are steps to the left of the tunnel entry leading up to the start/finish straight. |  |
| 12: Wheatcroft Straight | |
| Looking back along Wheatcroft Straight, towards Roberts chicane. |  |
| The view towards the first corner, Redgate. |  |
| Quite a good view of Redgate’s apex. |  |
| 13: Hollywood | |
| A nicely elevated viewpoint, if not quite as good as the opposite side of the track. It’s likely to be less busy. |  |
| It is a better view the other way, towards Craner Curves. |  |
| 14: Old Hairpin | |
| A very high vantage point of Craner Curves, albeit further away from the action. |  |
| A clear view of the hairpin |  |
| From the hairpin, you can see all the way to Schwantz Curve. |  |
| 15: Shwantz Curve | |
| A great view back to Old Hairpin. |  |
| Looking forward at McLeans |  |
| 16: Coppice | |
| Not a spectacular view of the straight, from McLeans, with the vehicular tunnel in the centre. |  |
| Again, not an impressive view, with Coppice and the pedestrian tunnel barely visible on the far-centre-right. |  |
Page created by Peter Tattersall, Aug 2021