Rockingham is hosting our first and last round of the 2017 season. It’s a proper grown up track, featuring a long opening section, tight hairpin and then open left and rights. So, your car should probably be set up a bit stiffer, as speeds will be higher.
Off the line (the marshals will determine your position, but if you can, opt for the left hand lane!) and its a good start to Brook and the left, right, left hand kink. Neatness is more important than being a hero here (you should avoid the big sausage kerbs) as the second left hander leads onto the fastest section of the track and you should aim to carry as much speed as possible. Up on the banking and move up to the wall. It’s slightly less scary up there and opens up your line of sight. You will track around in a shallow arc left until the turn in point for turn two. Try not to turn in too early, but you will need to drop down to the yellow lines on the apex and follow them for while as this is an Indy style corner with a very long apex. Hold the bottom line until you see the corner open up and then gradually allow your car to run back up to the wall. Take care to be in control as you do this, winding off the lock and letting it run will avoid over steer on exit. If you do lose control, my advise is always stand on clutch and brake until you come to a complete halt. With such a wide track, you have a good chance to miss most things!
After another couple of hundred metres, Deene hairpin will approach. Its a wide double apex left hander and a good flowing run through will stand you in good stead as its quicker than it looks. Some people take the shortest and thus tightest line, but that’s for another day.
You will then run up to the square right at Yentwood. A late turn in is recommended. Back on the power and you will be on a blind rise now approaching Chapman Curve which you can take a faster entry to as its wider than Yentwood and opens up. Exiting on the left of the track neatly move across to the right for Pif-Paf and Steel Straight. The fast left handers are actually quicker than they look. Keep right and then apex across to the apex kerbs on the left as they appear in your vision – they’re there for a reason!
You will now approach the Gracelands left hander. Take care as it tightens slightly on exit so a steady entry and build speed as it opens up using all the road on the right as you cross the finish line. As ever on a circuit, use practice to learn the lines. Once you’ve got those, the speed will come. Good Luck!
