This document details all the places a driver needs to take themselves or their car over a race weekend.
Paddock Entry, via Circuit
For vehicular access to the paddock, one needs to enter the circuit at Shaw’s Hairpin and turn right, travelling in an anticlockwise direction. Be aware that this is also the only exit for traffic, so drive with extreme care. On reaching the oval part of the circuit, bear right, into the paddock.
Motorsport UK Yearbook 2022, Rule Q12.25.8 states “Except while on the track no competing car shall be driven at a speed exceeding 10mph without the specific permission of the Clerk of the Course.”
Pit Lane / Scrutineering Bay / Parc Ferme / Fuel / Cafe
On entering the paddock, looking back to the entrance, the pit lane entry can be seen. It starts from the entrance and carries on to the right, clockwise. In bends inwards, between the paddock and the circuit.
From the paddock entry, looking south into the paddock, the scrutineering bay is just ahead, with Parc Ferme on the other side and a fuel station to the left.
Further down is the Lakeside café.
Toilets / Race Admin / Assembly Area / Medical Centre
Continuing south, one comes to the toilet and shower block, located around the centre of the paddock.
Beyond the toilet block, the first build on the left, which is alongside the pit lane, is for Race Admin and Race Control. Race Admin is in the middle of the block, with Race Control at the far end.
Looking towards the paddock entrance, there is a toilet block and then a café/bar to the left.
Next is a fenced off area set aside for the Assembly Aera. The entry to the Assembly Area is by Race Control; the exit is by the pedestrian bridge, turning into the pit lane just before the bridge.
Walking past the Assembly Area, one reaches the pedestrian bridge, which passes over the start/finish straight just south of the start line.
Walking past the Assembly Area and pedestrian bridge, the building to the right is the Medical Centre.
Garages / Pit Lane Exit
Continuing past the Medical Centre is, on the left, the garage block.
Beyond the garage block, the pit lane exit merges with the circuit just as Gerrards begins.
Pits and Grid
Pit Lane Entry
For the driver who has visited Mallory Park, but not for a considerable time, they are in for a surprise. Pit entry used to be straight after Devil’s Elbow, but that entrance has been closed. The entry is now well before Devil’s Elbow, opposite John Cooper Esses.
The racing entry into John Cooper Esses is from the right side of the track, at high speed. The natural path into the pit lane begins from the left side of the track, so be wary of a driver deciding to attempt a pass around the outside. It is sensible to raise a hand in plenty of time to warn those behind, while moving early to the right, to remove any potential for confusion.
If returning straight into the paddock, remember the speed limit of 10mph. This route to the paddock will not be available during any official session. It also may not be available during unofficial sessions.
The pit lane speed limit is 60kph, or 37.3mph.
Assembly Area
The entry to the Assembly Area is by Race Control. the exit is by the pedestrian bridge, turning into the pit lane just before the bridge.
Pit Lane and Pit Lane Exit
After going under the pedestrian bridge, the garages are on the right. After them is the pit lane exit.
The pit lane speed limit of 60 kph, or 37.3mph, ends after the garages.
The Grid
Lining up for the grid Devil’s Elbow should be taken slowly as marshals are on the grid shortly after the corner’s exit.
The back of the grid is midway along the gravel trap on the left, that runs alongside the start of the pit lane.
The head of the grid is alongside Race Control, which is a raised tower at the end of the last building before the pedestrian bridge, on the right.
The marshal post alongside Race Control displays the countdown boards.
The starting lights are at the centre of the pedestrian bridge. There are no repeater lights.
Page updated by Peter Tattersall, March 2022