The closest spectating point is a grandstand, on the straight between Palmer and Agostini, sighted to the west of Tyrrell’s Restaurant (left, looking from the paddock). A little further to the left is a great big hill overlooking Palmers and, from the very top, Riches. That is a very popular spot which I have enjoyed on numerous occasions. A little further away is my favourite, just beyond the north-east corner of the paddock, overlooking Agostini. From this high vantage point can be seen most of the circuit, including most of Bentley Straight and, in the far distance, Brundle-Nelson and Coram-Murray’s. There is another grandstand that is over the final part of Coram corner.

To get to the spectating points on the outside of the circuit, you have to cross the bridge that crosses Bentley Straight. From here, turn left and there is a long walk to a raised bank overlooking Williams and Wilson corners. Alternatively, turning right leads to a raised bank covering Brundle-Nelson, with a grandstand beyond. It’s either the car or a long walk to the remaining three banks. Just keep walking after Nelson and you’ll eventually arrive at a bank overlooking Murray’s and another two on Senna Straight, either side of the start/finish line.

I’ll start my tour at Tyrrells restaurant and “walk” to each point in turn. It is a long walk back from the final position, but hopefully it will be worth it.

	1) Tyrrells Restaurant. A reasonable selection of sensibly priced food is available here. There is outdoor seating by the entrance and a limited amount by the race track. To the west is a children’s playground. 2) Palmer to Agostini Grandstand overlooking the extension of the circuit that makes up the 300 and 100 configurations. It is between Palmer and Agostini corners. Closer to Palmer, there can be good passes seen on the exit.
	3) Banking Overlooking Palmer Views from the banking overlooking Palmer corner. This is a very popular viewing spot and so can get very busy. The very top overlooks the start finish straight, so you can watch the race start as the cars come into view around pit exit. The far southwest corner of this mound also provides views of the first corner, but this is only for the determined or very tall spectator.
	4) Agostini, from the Paddock If a competitor sets themselves up in this part of the paddock, they are rewarded with “ground floor” views of the entry Agostini.
	5) Agostini Knoll I’ve only ever watched the racing from the inside of the circuit. Being honest, I didn’t even know about all the other viewing points. I don’t think I’ve missed out, though, as this raised knoll overlooking Agostini is brilliant. You can watch cars approach from Palmer, create passing opportunities on entry into this hairpin and fail as they out-brake themselves or succeed on exit as they speed towards Hamilton. Binoculars can come in handy to monitor progress along Bentley Straight and even around Coram; it’s a shame I don’t have any, but it’s still a fun watch.
	6) Murrays Mound Mound overlooking Murrays and the start/finish straight. 7) Murrays Grandstand Grandstands overlooking the last part of Coram, Murrays and the start/finish straight.
	8) Inside of Bomb Hole I didn’t know about this spectating point, or any that follow, so the notes are not from personal experience. This section, by the Bomb Hole, does not hold great promise as it is on level ground, set a way back from the circuit. I suspect there are probably excellent photographic opportunities, but little in the way of excitement.
	9) Williams to Bridge Watching my on-board race footage, I see there are lots of bins lining the edge of this raised viewing embankment, all the way from Williams to the bridge. I’m guessing that’s due to its popularity, with views not only of cars whizzing past at high speed, but also of the 300 configuration’s extension. There doesn’t appear to be anything but distance to block the view across to Oggies and Agostini. Depending on where you are, there may even be views of Riches and Coram, although I suspect an Astro-telescope would be required.
	10) Brundle/Nelson I never knew that there was a hillock overlooking Brundle/Nelson. I’ve probably entertained a few viewers here and, for a change, for good reasons; I love this section. It is not a high platform, so I guess the views of cars approaching Bomb Hole are limited.
	11) Bomb Hole This area overlooking the entry to Bomb Hole is from level ground, so the view is limited. It is the closest point to the entrance. 12) Bomb Hole Grandstand Grandstand overlooking the entry to Bomb Hole.
	13) Bomb Hole to Coram Embankment Raised embankment running from Bomb Hole through to the entry to Coram. Here, at Bomb Hole, I suspect is the best of this particular area. Drivers can struggle, sometimes even to stay on-track, exiting Nelson, while Bomb Hole is very challenging,
	14) Bomb Hole to Coram Embankment Raised embankment running from Bomb Hole through to the entry to Coram. Here is the furthest raised viewing point from the paddock.
	15) Early Senna Straight Alongside Senna Straight, before the start/finish line. Maybe the best place for watching the midfield to the back at the start of a race.
	16) Late Senna Straight Alongside Senna Straight, after the start/finish line. Maybe the best place for watching the front of the grid at the start of a race. Spectators can go no further.

Page created by Peter Tattersall, January 2022