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Anglesey Race Meeting
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July 2009
Promoted by Leinster Motor Club
By Gary Fox
The Anglesey circuit is located on the South West coast of the island of Anglesey. The circuit’s location on the coastal edge of Anglesey results in breathtaking views out over the Irish Sea towards the Snowdonia Mountains in the distance.
Miles of stunning coastal scenery earned Anglesey the honour of being named an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty in 1966.
Formerly a British Army base, the modern circuit lies just a few miles away from the active Royal Air Force station, RAF Valley.
Anglesey underwent a massive transformation in 2006, costing upwards of £16 million. Large parts of the old circuit were scrapped in favour of a new design incorporating four interchangeable tracks. The International GP covering 2.10 miles followed by the Coastal measuring 1.55 miles, the National consisting of 1.20 miles and finally, the smallest, the Club at 0.80 miles.
A wide variation in track types and distances ensures Anglesey manages to attract every possible type of motorsport to the Welsh venue.
Weather conditions over the course of the weekend were impossible to predict. Many teams arrived on Thursday to make best possible use of the track testing time available.
Conditions more suited to monsoon season in South Asia continued when a heat wave surrounded the seaside circuit but this was quickly followed by a torrential downpour, leaving the ground soft underfoot for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday morning qualifying was disrupted on more than one occasion by the inclement weather, threatening dark clouds sweeping in over the bay to deposit rain in heavy, frequent bursts.
One such downpour resulted in the very first race of the weekend being abandoned after just three laps.
The highly changeable weather conditions forced a number of drivers to make a tough choice on tyres only to see it backfire when the expected rain failed to materialise.
Sunday yielded a complete reversal in the weather, warm summer sunshine and clear blue skies welcomed drivers back on track for day two of the weekend meeting.
Overall, the feedback from both drivers and spectators was overwhelmingly positive. Anglesey circuit is well equipped to host bumper race meetings running over two days. Modern shower and wash blocks allow drivers and teams to refresh after a hard days motor sport action before hitting the social scene to decide just who had the racing line going down into Rocket corner.
The social aspect of the weekend is not neglected with a fully stocked bar, restaurant and shop all located at the heart of the course.
Anglesey is under 15 minutes driving time from the port town of Holyhead, which is serviced by both Irish Ferries and Stena Line so logistically the track meets every requirement, minimising time spent getting there and maximising track time for drivers.
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