Snetterton hairpin renamed in honour of the late Justin Wilson

The Snetterton circuit will rechristen the Montreal hairpin this weekend, with the British Touring Car Championship the first to make their way through “Wilson hairpin”. MotorSport Vision (MSV), the owners of the circuit, have decided to rename the second corner after the late Justin Wilson, the British racing driver who died last year at the Pocono Raceway in the IndyCar Series.

MSV owner Jonathan Palmer’s relationship with Wilson dates back to early in the IndyCar and Formula 1 star’s career.

“Justin Wilson, the champion of my inaugural Formula Palmer Audi championship, thoroughly deserved the support which that success brought him, and it was enormously satisfying to watch him make the best possible use of every opportunity he had through to F1 and IndyCar racing,” said Palmer. “But not only was Justin an outstanding racing driver, he was also the epitome of a true sportsman, earning universal respect and admiration. He leaves a lasting legacy that we will cherish and perpetuate, with the naming of Wilson corner at Snetterton an important part of that.”

Montreal is one of the newer corners on the circuit, introduced for the Snetterton 300 layout in 2011, with the Montreal hairpin appearing in-place of the fast right-hander previously known as Sear.

Justin’s younger brother Stefan, who made his Indianapolis 500 debut two months ago, said:
“This is such an incredible gesture by MSV and I know Justin would be very honoured and humbled to learn that he has a corner here at Snetterton named after him. Snetterton has a special place in our memories as our dad raced here back in the ’60s and he would tell us stories of racing down the old Norwich straight. Plus, Justin and I raced here many times in our own careers.”