Anglo American Oil Company and Sunoco liaise with Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit and open first Sunoco Race Fuels station in Europe. In 65 years, it’s gone from air station to fuel station.There was a certain symmetry to the decision to site the first Sunoco Race Fuels station – which opened for business on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 – at Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit in the east of England.
Snetterton, in Norfolk, was once RAF Snetterton Heath and during WWII was operated by the USAAF. A number of other RAF airfields in the area, were, too; some remain in joint RAF-USAFE operation. A dignified memorial to Snetterton’s former occupants, the USAAF 8th Air Force, greets all visitors at the gate.
Sunoco, based in Philadelphia, is arguably the world’s largest race fuel supplier. It is appropriate that the company’s first race fuel station in Europe is on a little part of the UK that for a time was also a little part of the States.
Shaun Williams, UK Sales Manager Racing for Sunoco Race Fuels distributor Anglo American Oil Company Ltd (AAOC), met with MotorSport Vision (MSV) and Snetterton Circuit Manager Jamie Hopper to formally open the fuel station on a weekend that was, for many reasons, historic.
Snetterton hosted a unique event on June 20th, 2010, when every car to have raced for Team Lotus in a Formula One Grand Prix between 1958 and 1994 gathered for the first time for a group photo on the start/finish straight.
Of the fuel station, Hopper said, “Snetterton is one of the fastest circuits in the UK and we are known for the high-octane racing on our calendar, so it seems more than appropriate that we are now able to offer high-octane fuel to our competitors – thanks to Sunoco.”
Williams said, “We’re really very excited about this development. Snetterton is one of the most popular circuits in the country and to have it as the site of the first Sunoco station in Europe cements Sunoco as the fuel for racers.
“AAOC/Sunoco and Snetterton are working together closely to bring drivers what they need where they need it. A comprehensive range of other products [AAOC] distribute will soon be stocked at Snetterton,” he continued.
Williams added that the expertise of the station management team at Snetterton, and throughout the MSV stable of circuits, is second-to-none.
“[AAOC] is always available for tech advice and support, but the guys at Snetterton really, where we’re stocking 100-octane RMR fuel, have the ear of the drivers and their teams, and we’ll ensure that they’re given any assistance they need.”
