About the Venue
Pembrey
The home of Welsh Motorsport, Pembrey has a reputation as a challenging drivers circuit, with its variety of fast sweeping corners and tight hairpins. Opened in 1989, it was a popular venue for Formula One team testing during the 1990s, and remains popular with F3 and GT teams. Noise limits are not a problem. As yet another ex-Airfield, its pretty flat. Ayrton Senna holds the unofficial lap record.
The Caterham and Lotus 7 club make a welcome return after a 5 year absence. Those with a long memory will remember a somewhat wet 2017 event on the Clubman’s circuit.
Location
Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA16 0HZ
Ten miles from Junction 48 of the M4. Leave the M4 at Junction 48 towards Llanelli and follow A484 through Burry Port looking out for brown chequered signposts to Pembrey Race Circuit
Points to Note
A large open paddock, with overnight camping allowed at the circuit
Entry and exit to the paddock is across the circuit, so once you are in, you stay in until lunch or the end of the event.
Excellent food and friendly Welsh hospitality from the “Formula One” restaurant and bar.
Accommodation
Camping is allowed at the circuit
The Stradey Park Hotel, Furnace,Llanelli. 01554 758171. Prices From £80.00 All Ensuite, Fully Licenced
The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Spilman Street, Carmarthen. 01267 235111. All Rooms Ensuite Prices From £70.00
Adeline Guest House, 5 Randall Square, Pembrey. 01554 832407. Guest House Prices From £40.00
Kidwelly B & B, 62 Causeway Street, Kidwelly. 01554 890716. Guest House Prices From £50.00
Four Seasons Guest House, 62 Gwscwm Road, Pembrey. 01554 833367. Guest House
Lletty'r Haul B&B, Bolahaul Road, Cwnffrwd, Carmarthen. 01267 235493. Guest House
Old Priory Guest House, 20 prior Street, Carmarthen. 01267 237471. Guest House
The Three Rivers Hotel & Spa, Ferryside, Carmarthenshire. 01267 267270. Hotel Prices From £65.00
Pembrey National Circuit
Start
Pembrey is a flat ex-air field, so be sure to walk the course and note features for your braking points. The course is a lap and three quarters, finishing after Carters Curve on the second lap. The start line is in the pit lane. A race through the gears to the first hairpin.
Hatchets Hairpin
Brake hard for this tight right hairpin. There is an escape road for the over ambitious. A normal late apex, then back on the power hard and early. Be careful not to cut the corner too much on the smooth kerbing and risk “4 wheels off”.
Spitfires
A gentle right, may be flat out for some on the right tyres in the dry. Ensure you are well positioned for the exit, as you need to be over to the right, or at least in the middle of the track.
Dibeni/Paddock
A long left curve with a fast approach, Dibeni & Paddock should be treated as one. A light brake (or possibly a longer lift) and early apex for the first section. Let the car drift out to the right early. Again, a light brake or long lift for the second section. There is plenty of run off if needed as you approach the Senna Esses.
Senna Esses
You will need to brake for this right hander. Let the car run out wide after the apex as you race down to the critical Brooklands Hairpin.
Brooklands Hairpin
With a long straight following, its all about the exit. Viewed by some as two corners, the first is not tight, but brake hard in a straight line as you approach. Use all the track for the exit of the second part. “Slow in, fast out”.
Carters Curve
Flat out in good conditions for most. The finish line is just after this one the second lap.
Honda
The most critical corner for the lap, as the very long Cowles straight follows. A very fast approach and high-speed turn in make this corner very tricky. It’s important to be accurate with your apex, as if you miss it you will find the car starting to drift to the outside of the corner on the exit, where there is limited space.
Lap 2
The straight ends at Hatchets Hairpin. You may be close to V-MAX as you approach, so choose a much earlier braking point. Then follow the guide above, with hopefully more grip and confidence until the finish after Carters Curve, and into the pit lane on the right to return to the paddock.
Pembrey Clubman Circuit
Pembrey is a flat ex-air field, so be sure to walk the course and note features for your braking points. The course is a lap and three quarters, finishing after Carters Curve on the second lap. The start line is in the pit lane. A race through the gears to the first hairpin.
Start
Brake hard for this tight right hairpin. There is an escape road for the over ambitious. A normal late apex, then back on the power hard and early. Be careful not to cut the corner too much on the smooth kerbing and risk “4 wheels off”.
Hatchets Hairpin
A gentle right, may be flat out for some on the right tyres in the dry. Ensure you are well positioned for the exit, as you need to be over to the right, or at least in the middle of the track.
Spitfires
This is where the layout changes from the National circuit. Walk this section before the event. The small change makes a significant difference to the lap. A long left curve with a fast approach, Dibeni has a fast exit onto a short straight. A light brake (or possibly a longer lift) and early apex for the first section, and you will then stay on the power as you rush towards the next hairpin. Its quite featureless here, so be sure you know a very tight left hand hairpin is coming soon.
Dibeni/Paddock
This is now a true S bend, with a tight left followed quickly by a tight right. Let the car run out wide after the second apex as you race down to the critical Brooklands Hairpin. Your exit speed will be lower than on the National layout, which will effect your braking point for Brooklands Hairpin.
Senna Esses
With a long straight following, its all about the exit. Viewed by some as two corners, the first is not tight, but brake hard in a straight line as you approach. Use all the track for the exit of the second part. “Slow in, fast out”.
Brooklands Hairpin
Flat out in good conditions for most. The finish line is just after this on the second lap.