16 replies to this topic

[f1steveuk]

Bit of a dumb subject, but it wasn't until today that this has occured to me!!

 

Brands Hatch long circuit. You take the left hander at Surtees and out towards Hawthorns. Fine.

 

Just watched a race on Motors, and the commentator said, " and through the right hander at Surtees on to the short Indy circuit".

 

So is Surtees a left or a right, or is it both? And if it's both, how many other circuits have a named corner/bend, that is both a left, and a right??

 

Curious of Sussex

[Allan Lupton]

The current Blue Book seems to show Surtees as the LH bend at the end of Cooper Straight. The RH curve that forks off that is named as McLaren which leads to Clearways.

 

All very confusing to one who last went there when none of the Club Circuit corners or straights were named after people!

[MCS]

If it's the Indy circuit, then it is right, if it is the long circuit ( whatever that is called these days) it is left.  The corner was called Kidney Bend initially.

[f1steveuk]

If it's the Indy circuit, then it is right, if it is the long circuit ( whatever that is called these days) it is left.  The corner was called Kidney Bend initially.

I know, that's why I am asking, but is the left Surtees, or the right, or botth, or as Allan now suggests, left is Surtees and right McLaren's, which I'm leaning towards, and that the commentator got it wrong!

[2F-001]

Well, the current circuit operators (according to their website at least) refer to the left as 'Surtees' - whether continuing on to the full circuit or not) and the curve to the right linking into Clearways for the short circuit, "McLaren".
I would assume that many folks (younger commentators included) have never heard of Bottom Bend or Kidney Bend - any more than they can remember how the "Indy Circuit" acquired its nickname, which now seems to be official.

[alansart]

I always thought it was 2 corners on the short circuit. Left for Surtees, a quick right into McLaren and then off to Clearways. Mind you, the way I drove it often became 4 corners not always taken in the same direction!

Yes, I do remember Bottom Bend and Kidney in the Pre 75 Indy Car Meeting 

[Michael Ferner]

Well, the current circuit operators (according to their website at least) refer to the left as 'Surtees' - whether continuing on to the full circuit or not) and the curve to the right linking into Clearways for the short circuit, "McLaren".
I would assume that many folks (younger commentators included) have never heard of Bottom Bend or Kidney Bend - any more than they can remember how the "Indy Circuit" acquired its nickname, which now seems to be official.

Actually, it's been the official name for the last 35 odd years.

"Bottom Bend" was still used when I got to know Brands, but it was always Surtees for the following lefthander. And McLaren sounds about right for ther righthander.

[f1steveuk]

From that concensus I will take thee view the commentator was an arse. TNF does it again!!

[h4887]

So where does Clearways become Clark Curve, or vice versa?

[sterling49]

Did i see somebody write about Bottom Bend? Brilliant, made my day! I was at Brands last week end,, i only know one set of names, the old ones! Works for me, ha ha.

Edited by sterling49, 17 July 2015 - 20:22.

[Mallory Dan]

I was at Brands for the first time since 1992, last Sunday. Very impressed with it all round. I dunno about the circuit names, but quick cars/drivers going into Paddock is just brilliant to watch

[LittleChris]

I'm sure we've been through the naming of Brands bends before on more than 1 occasion.   

[ian senior]

Whatever you call them, it's infinitely better than Turn 1, Turn 2, etc.  Have modern circuit designers got no soul?

Edited by ian senior, 18 July 2015 - 12:02.

[f1steveuk]

I'm sure we've been through the naming of Brands bends before on more than 1 occasion. 

Yes, maybe, but the threads I looked at didn't answer my specific question

[Stephen W]

If it's the Indy circuit, then it is right, if it is the long circuit ( whatever that is called these days) it is left.  The corner was called Kidney Bend initially.

 

In the 1956 Blue Book the initial right hander was Kidney Bernd but as it tightened it became Clearways.

 

In the 1962 Blue Book the left hander onto the GP circuit was called South Ban Bend whilst Clearways was the name of the right hander on the GP circuit. The bit joining the two was indicated by a dotted line & had no name.

 

In the 1978 Blue Book the ledft hander onto the GP circuit is named Surtees, Clearways is still the right hander on the GP track & the bit that joins up to make the "Indy Circuit" is named McLaren.

[LittleChris]

Steve,

 

I believe that South Bank Bend, Kidney, Clearways became Surtees, McLaren, Clearways,Clark when the 1976 realignment of Paddock & South Bank took place, so I think Surtees would just be the left hander. As regards a single name for a left & right, how about Masta Kink  ? 

[wolf sun]

Steve,

 

I believe that South Bank Bend, Kidney, Clearways became Surtees, McLaren, Clearways,Clark when the 1976 realignment of Paddock & South Bank took place, so I think Surtees would just be the left hander. As regards a single name for a left & right, how about Masta Kink  ? 

 

Ha, inconsistencies in circuit nomenclature would fill dozens of threads, wouldn't it - the water's quite muddy in many cases. Francorchamps (Spa to some) is a case in point. Regarding Brands, I fully agree with LittleChris - as I almost always do - Surtees would be just the left-hander.