Major alterations to Brands Hatch approved

PLANS have been approved to make major alterations to Graham Hill Bend at Brands Hatch.

Circuit owners Motorsport Vision have been granted permission to make the changes by Sevenoaks District Council.

The plans, which were submitted on the 20th of October 2011, show how the current Graham Hill Bend, a sweeping left-hander, will be replaced with a left-hand hairpin followed by a tight right-hander which will essentialy become a chicane onto the Cooper Straight.

Last year, Visordown reported on the planned changes to Graham Hill Bend reporting that it would becomes a 'constant radius left'.

Sevenoaks District Council have received a barrage of complaints from those opposed to the circuit changes. One man against the changes, Mr Roy Flower, commented: "I am very much against the proposed changes to Graham Hill Bend. I cannot see any benefit to it at all. I have raced motorcycles at this circuit for many years and continue to do so. The history of the circuit and the flowing nature make it unique. Stop start chicanes added to other race circuits around the country in the name of safety have only made them more dangerous."

Another objection from Mr Kevin Sweet said: "I have just been told that SDC has pushed this through (on paper but not signed off yet )and totally ignored all objections from the public and English Heritage."

The changes won't affect the circuit for the 2012 season as construction will take place towards the end of the year. The corner, which was called Bottom Bend until 1976, has been modified before to improve run-off and safety.

The images below show the corner in 1964, the new plans and the corner as it is today.