Article by Paul Edwards

This is the spectacular little circuit with a dramatic sea view that Fifth Gear use - sadly the tvr-loving Vicki Butler-Henderson didn't put in an appearance this time. You have 1¾ laps to really get to grips with the varied corners with sweeping ups and downs. It has the
reputation of being a true test of handling (unlike Top Gear's airfield) and there's plenty of run-off area in most places for the over-enthusiastic. An excellent driving challenge that really should not be missed. With good beaches, B&B's and pubs nearby it is a chance for many of us to make it a weekend break. Many track days are run here too, which help build confidence.

Our class was not large, as the event unfortunately clashed with the popular Abingdon event the previous day, and some expected Griffiths were missing for various reasons. However, the marque was still well-represented on the day with the addition of Simon Bridge's
impressively rapid and glorious-sounding Griffith 200, and an ex-factory SEAC racer (on slicks) in another class on it's first visit here. The event was also a round of the British Sprint Championship so we had the opportunity to view the spectacle of some of the country's quickest race cars and get some hints as to the quickest lines.

David Drucker's 4.5 Cerbera had recent fettling by Jools, so David raised his game from last year to match the improved handling and power. When asked what had caused him to knock another 2 seconds off his previous personal best time at the venue, David simply
replied "Bigger balls!" We thought it best not to ask his wife Trisha for further details .....

Simon Smith was beaming after his first visit here in his tidy 24 valve Cosworth V6-powered S, quickly learning the circuit and consistently improving on each run. In fact he was going rather too well as G-forces prompted his air filter to go walkabout (firmly reinstated with superglue from our toolkits)..The battle of the 350's was rejoined, Simon Cole and Paul Edwards (following some success at Abingdon the previous day) were faster each run, well below last year's time helped by the ever-sunny weather at this event, but the wedge's torquey new 4.8 V8 was used to good effect to just keep the modern T350 upstart at bay.

Our select group judged the unique track and scenery well worth the journey time; the particular challenges included the very long School corner at the end of the main straight, (with the sea beckoning ahead if you had time to look), which you enter downhill at well over 100 mph before braking to about 70mph and then sweep round a tightening right hand uphill curve. This then suddenly leads into the 50mph uphill right crest of Abbotts, which sends you drifting far across to the left as the track drops and turns right....! No sooner have you
caught your breath from this sequence of bends and you are faced with the uphill third gear left hander over a totally blind crest. You soon realise that there is absolutely no time to relax.

Whilst Anglesey may well be slightly shorter than the Nurburgring it really should be added to your "must do" list.  The final tvr times on the day were as follows:

Simon Cole 350i 96.32 secs
Paul Edwards T350C 97.77 secs
Simon Bridge Griffith 200 100.00 secs
Simon Smith S3 Cosworth 111.32 secs
David Drucker Cerbera 4.5 116.32 secs