Anglesey Circuit
Encyclopedia
The Anglesey Circuit, or Trac Môn in Welsh is a motor racing circuit
located in Aberffraw
, Anglesey
, Wales
. It plays host to a variety of motorsport
events, including rallycross
. It opened as a fully licensed MSA
and ACU
championship racing circuit in 1997.
In 2006, the motorsports venue saw a major overhaul, with the majority of its 1.067 miles (1.72 km) circuit being scrapped in favour of a radical new development that will include four different track layouts: a 2.1 miles (3.4 km) International GP circuit, a 1.55 miles (2.5 km) Coastal Circuit, a slightly shorter National circuit and a Club Circuit that will cover under a mile. One of the straights on the circuit is named after Wales's only F1 driver, Tom Pryce
, who died in Kyalami
when he hit a track marshal.
The TV motoring programme Fifth Gear
regularly used the Anglesey circuit for the 'Shoot Out' segment of the show. Since the new track configuration, Fifth Gear has opted to use the Coastal layout. The Coastal layout appears to be the most popular among track day enthusiasts because of the difficult downhill corkscrew segment.
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
located in Aberffraw
Aberffraw
Aberffraw is a small village and community on the south west coast of the Isle of Anglesey , in Wales, by the west bank of the River Ffraw, at . The UK postcode begins LL63. Access by road is by way of the A4080 and the nearest rail station is Bodorgan. In the early Middle Ages Aberffraw was the...
, Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It plays host to a variety of motorsport
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
events, including rallycross
Rallycross
Rallycross is a form of sprint style automobile racing, held on a closed mixed-surface racing circuit, with modified production or specially built road cars, similar to the World Rally Cars, although usually with about stronger engines, due to e.g. their 45 mm turbo restrictor plates. It is...
. It opened as a fully licensed MSA
Motor Sports Association
The Motor Sports Association , is the official governing body of motorsport in the United Kingdom.-Responsibilities:...
and ACU
AutoCycle Union
The Auto-Cycle Union is governing body of motorcycle sport in Great Britain . Founded in 1903 and acquiring its current name in 1907 its aim was to develop motor sport through clubs and arrange touring facilities for members...
championship racing circuit in 1997.
In 2006, the motorsports venue saw a major overhaul, with the majority of its 1.067 miles (1.72 km) circuit being scrapped in favour of a radical new development that will include four different track layouts: a 2.1 miles (3.4 km) International GP circuit, a 1.55 miles (2.5 km) Coastal Circuit, a slightly shorter National circuit and a Club Circuit that will cover under a mile. One of the straights on the circuit is named after Wales's only F1 driver, Tom Pryce
Tom Pryce
Thomas Maldwyn Pryce was a Welsh racing driver, famous for winning the Brands Hatch Race of Champions, a non-championship Formula One race, in 1975 and for the circumstances surrounding his death...
, who died in Kyalami
Kyalami
Kyalami is a motor racing circuit located in Midrand, Gauteng province, South Africa. The circuit has been used for Grand Prix and Formula One races and has hosted the South African Grand Prix many times. In recent years, the area surrounding the circuit has developed into a residential and...
when he hit a track marshal.
The TV motoring programme Fifth Gear
Fifth Gear
Fifth Gear is a motoring television magazine show from the United Kingdom. Originally shown on Channel 5, the show is currently presented by Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jason Plato, Jonny Smith and Ben Collins...
regularly used the Anglesey circuit for the 'Shoot Out' segment of the show. Since the new track configuration, Fifth Gear has opted to use the Coastal layout. The Coastal layout appears to be the most popular among track day enthusiasts because of the difficult downhill corkscrew segment.