England’s Snetterton Circuit paid tribute to the late Justin Wilson by renaming a corner after the seven-time Indy car race winner who died in August 2015.
Beginning this weekend, Snetterton's “Montreal” hairpin will honor Wilson, a protege of the circuit owner, MSV's chief executive Jonathan Palmer.
"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 Indy car racing,” said Palmer, who guided Wilson through much of his junior single-seater career toward Formula One.
“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."
Appropriately, the Wilson hairpin leads into Palmer corner on Snetterton’s 3-mile “300 circuit” that will be used this weekend. Sunday's three British Touring Car Championship races at the circuit will take place on what would have been Wilson’s 38th birthday. Wilson died last August after being struck by debris during the race at Pocono Raceway.
A special corner board featuring Wilson’s helmet design, in addition to the Wilson name, has been installed in time for the BTCC event. The special tribute was unveiled Monday at a ceremony attended by Palmer and Justin's parents, Keith and Lynne.
"This is such an incredible gesture by MSV and I know Justin would be very honored and humbled to learn that he has a corner here at Snetterton named after him,” said Wilson’s younger brother. Stefan, who raced in the 100th Indianapolis 500 to honor his older brother. “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."