This document details all the places a driver needs to take themselves or their car over a race weekend.
Above is a map highlighting the most important places within the paddock.
The following pages contain a detailed guide to the paddock. It starts with another map, this time with annotations, against which the subsequent notes and photographs can be referenced.
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 northwest of the circuit’s crossing point. I’m not sure if I am correct in the existence of this paddock as I have never seen it in use, but not seeing that it was in use does not mean that it was not in use! I shall improve this section upon my next visit.
Paddock 1
The above map begins, at Number 1, as we wait at the circuit crossing point for a session to end, when the marshals will ensure it is safe before allowing us to cross into the paddock. We go straight ahead, through parc fermé and then turn to our left (east) to see the Formula 1 bar and restaurant. To the left of that is a toilet block, whilst opposite (west)we can see the Scrutineering Bay and the Paddock Office.
Between the paddock office and the circuit, we can take a leisurely stroll past a shower and toilet block towards the Medical Centre, Race Control and the garages.
Returning to parc fermé and then heading south we come to the Assembly Area. Here, cars are released into the pit lane and drive through the pits before being released onto the circuit at pit exit.
| 1. Entrance, via the Circuit Crossing Point Here, we wait for a session to end, after which the marshals will ensure it is safe before allowing us to cross into the paddock. |  |
| 2. Parc Fermé After official timed sessions or the race, competitors are collected in parc fermé until officials are satisfied and they can be released into the paddock. |  |
| 2. 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. |  |
| 2. Toilets and Water There is a toilet block just south of the restaurant (to the right of the restaurant’s entrance). There is a tap at the side of the toilet block. This is on the gent’s side, the side furthest from the restaurant. |  |
| 2. Scrutineering Opposite the restaurant can be seen the Scrutineering Bay. |  |
| 2. Paddock Office To the right of the Scrutineering Bay is the Paddock Office. |  |
| 3. Toilets and Showers Between the paddock office and the circuit, we can take a leisurely stroll past a shower and toilet block towards the Medical Centre Race Control and the garages. Midway down the path, here on the left, is the competitors’ toilets/shower block. |  |
| 4. Medical Centre and Race Control This is at the end of the road that runs from the restaurant. The block on the right is Race Control. The block on the left is the Medical Centre. An ambulance can be seen parked between the Medical Centre and Race Control. The pit garages are to the left of here. |   |
| 5. Assembly Area From the circuit crossing, continue (with the F1 Restaurant to the left and Scrutineering to the right) south to the end of the runway. We have reached the entrance to the Assembly Area. From here, cars are released into the pit lane and drive through the pits before being released onto the circuit at pit exit. |  |
| 6. Entry into the Pit Lane From the Assembly Area, competitors are directed onto the pit entry lane. Any latecomers should be careful in case a competitor already on-circuit decides to pit at high speed. They will enter just after the high-speed Carter’s Curve and so may be travelling at maximum speed. On entering the pit lane from the Assembly Area, proceed with caution and avoid overtaking. On entering the pits from the circuit, reduce pace at least to the speed limit of 60 kph, or 37.28 mph. |  |
| 7. Pit Exit Obey the lights and join safely as you head towards the right-hand hairpin. Be aware of the flag post, on the hairpin. |   |
Assembly Area
From the circuit crossing, continue south (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.
Parc Fermé
By the circuit crossing. Marshals will slow competitors through Hatchets, Spitfires and Dibeni, 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.
Pits, Including Entry and Exit
Pit Lane Entry
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 is no overtaking traffic.
Pit Exit
Obey the lights and join safely as you head towards the right-hand first corner, Redgate. Be aware of the flag post, ahead.
The Grid
Starting Grid
Exiting Honda Curve, slow down as the starting grid is straight ahead, the rearmost grid slots being just before the straight begins.
View from towards the back of the grid
The head of the grid is located shortly after the end of the concrete pit wall, alongside the end of Race Control.
Starting Lights
The starting lights can be seen on a gantry right by the start of pit exit.
There are no repeater lights. They are not required, as the last grid position has a direct view of the starting gantry.
Medical Centre and the Defibrillator
This information has already been provided in the general paddock tour, above, but is separated out into this section to make this important information easier to locate.
Medical Centre
This is at the end of the road that runs from the restaurant.
The block on the left is the Medical Centre. An ambulance can be seen parked between the Medical Centre and Race Control.
Nearest Defibrillators
This information, or any online defibrillator resource, should not be accessed during an emergency. Instead, call 999. This section is provided to give you information in advance of needing it, with the further recommendation that you seek out and confirm the location in person and that it is available. Be aware that this information may be out of date by the time you read it.
I have used https://www.defibfinder.uk/ to create this page, as it is my preferred defibrillator website. It is not perfect, as demonstrated below, as it relies on feedback from the public to both provide accurate information and correct errors. Any errors or questions that I raise will be reported, with these pages being updated where appropriate.
For Pembrey, there isn’t a defibrillator on-site. According to defibfinder, the closest is 0.8 miles away, around the entrance to Pembrey circuit, but I could not locate it and so will investigate further on my next visit. In the meantime, this information should be treated with caution.
The location is:
RAF Pembrey Sands PMYS015 Target Workshop
RAF Pembrey
Sands
PMYS015
Target Workshop
What3Words: ///distract.flagging.mash
The next closest available for the public is 1.2 miles from the paddock. This was also located via defibfinder. Again, I could not locate it and so will investigate further on my next visit. So, again, this information should be treated with caution.
The location is:
Side of large wooded shed
Maesybryn,
Lando Road,
Pembrey,
Burry Port.
SA16 0JZ
What3Words: ///fluid.archive.hurtles
Page created by Peter Tattersall, January 2025