Being based around an aerodrome, you would expect the facilities to be an expanse of flatness, in which case they do not disappoint. A more impressive lack of disappointment concerns the speeds that are to be expected by running a circuit around the airfield’s perimeter. It’s quick. Very quick. In fact, it’s the fastest circuit in the whole of Great Britain.

Whilst there are not too many places in which to watch, the most accessible, overlooking Club chicane, is the place most people would choose; it is preceded by high-speed slip streaming, followed by heavy braking. A delicate change of direction is required through the chicane, before the driver gets back on the power for the start finish straight. There are many fine passes, some of which I have been both the author and the victim of, once both at the same time as I took the lead going into Club on the final lap, about to seize my maiden championship win, only for a grass-tracking rival, shortcutting the chicane and hitting me, resulting in an accident involving half the field, with me embedded in the pit wall. Oh well, luckily the repairs weren’t expensive and I got that first win the following year.

Aside from the flatness, spectators can watch, from outside of the circuit atop banking, all the way from Club corner to midway between Segrave and Noble. That allows for the full gamut of viewing at this circuit, from the already mentioned technicalities at Club, through to high-speed dicing at Allard, followed by drivers setting up a pass into Campbell, through Cobb and out of Segrave. The rest of the track is great for television, where the short periods of excitement can be covered, but wouldn’t add to the spectator’s drama, so please don’t feel that you are missing out.

From the circuit interior, there is limited viewing from Allard and the paddock.

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Spectating Notes

The following notes are taken from the above map.

1. Entrance Leads to the main facilities. From the left, northern car park, head to the right corner (east) exit. From the right, southern car park, head to the left corner (northwest) exit. You will enter onto the access road by the mini roundabout. From here, ahead is a traffic light controlled vehicular tunnel which is banned to pedestrians. Instead, for pedestrian access to the circuit interior, there is a road to the right of the tunnel that leads to a pedestrian tunnel and a café with spectating. Turning further to the right leads to the grandstands overlooking Club chicane, while turning left leads to spectating half way round the circuit.
2. Tunnel Access Vehicles and pedestrians are strictly separated, each having their own tunnel. When racing trucks are on-circuit, both tunnels are closed.
3. From Tunnel to Thruxton Centre Having entered the circuit interior via the tunnel, turn left just after the traffic lights and be careful of traffic as you cross the road. Walk alongside the fence that borders the paddock. Here you can top up water supplies and visit the toilets, with entrances either side allowing access to the paddock. After the toilet block, which also contains shower facilities, continue in the same direction towards the Thruxton centre. Before and to the left of the Thruxton Centre is the first of the interior’s viewing points, as detailed next.
4. View of Pit Exit From the toilet block in the previous section, head towards the Thruxton Centre, turning left shortly before. This will lead you to an area overlooking the pit exit and first corner. Like most viewing points on the interior of this circuit, it is not raised and so the action is not easily observed.
5. The Thruxton Centre For the spectator, the Thruxton Centre is a pleasant visit. There are toilets, along with a bar restaurant with pleasant and airy views of the race track. There is also a viewing balcony at the rear, as will be featured next.
6. Thruxton Centre Viewing Balcony As you look at the Thruxton Centre from the paddock, head round the right-side, to the back. There, you will see steps leading up to the viewing balcony. The first half of this balcony is generally open to the public during testing and race meetings. The far half may be closed off for a corporate event.
7. Right of the Thruxton Centre Back on solid ground, there is only one more infield area to watch the racing from. As before, the views are nothing special. This area can often be used as a paddock and so isn’t really accessible for spectating. It was busy during my visit so, while being welcomed, I didn’t stay long.
8. Medical Centre From the tunnel, instead of turning left and walking alongside the fencing of the main paddock, go straight on, turning right at the fuel station. If already walking alongside the fencing of the main paddock, turn right just after the toilet block, passing by the front of the scrutineering bay. Continue past the fuel station. Pass through a set of gates and continue on the path, that bears left. Passing the gate you will see a DANGER/ NO ACCESS sign to the right of the path. This is to stop unauthorised people from turning right. You will see buildings in the distance. The Medical Centre is painted green and can be seen ahead, to the left, after a long building and opposite a large industrial unit.
9. Jackaroo Café Returning from the infield via the pedestrian tunnel [2], turn left and then immediate right. It is a bit of a climb, but there are great views from the banking by the Jackaroo café. This is a great place to watch from and so can get very busy, as can the popular restaurant. There is usually an ice-cream van between here and the pedestrian tunnel.
10. Club Chicane There are two grandstands overlooking Club. One gives excellent backward views of the exit of the chicane, while the other is positioned over the chicane, providing great views of the approach and exit. Access to the grandstands is often free, even during club meeting, but major meetings, such as the trucks, will require an entry fee.
11. Banking Over Start/Finish Straight Overlooking Club chicane, the pit lane entry and the start/finish straight The bank is reached, from the pedestrian tunnel [2], by turning right and, carefully being aware of traffic, crossing at the mini-roundabout. Turn right and top up your water supply at the taps before climbing the bank. It is rather steep, but much easier if you head to the front, at the circuit periphery, before ascending. The view is well worth the effort.
12. Hospitality I expect this is a brilliant place to be if it’s raining, otherwise the ground-level view should be inferior to the views from the various banks. I expect I would use it as a base, snaffling the odd sandwich, whilst spending most of the time outdoors with the fans.
13. Allard Banking From Allard, you can see cars as they set up for a pass into or out of this fast corner. You can also, especially in qualifying or testing, watch cars exiting the pit lane. Just before the start of the bank is the last toilet block as we walk around the circuit perimeter. At the other end of the bank, at the rear, is the final water tap.
14. Allard - Campbell Banking Before the bank, at the rear, is the final water tap. This bank, located between Allard and Campbell, does not have its own corner name. There can be exciting action, as competitors try to pass a rival on the inside of the bend. It may result in being squeezed, followed by heavy braking, a visit to the grass on the inside, or contact. A timid or optimistic attempt to pass on the outside can result in running out of road as the car ahead sticks to its line.
15. Campbell - Cobb Banking This bank provides views of the entry to the Campbell-Cobb-Segrave sequence that affords a variety of lines and allows multiple passing opportunities.
16. Segrave This section is not raised, but the spectator does get close to the action.
17. Banking Between Segrave and Noble This is a long walk out, but well-worth the journey. The bank is high and open, with good views of the circuit.
18. Banking by Noble This is the furthest point that a spectator can go, which is just beyond the apex of Noble.

Page updated by Peter Tattersall, July 2023