Tuesday 11th August 2009

Motorsport Returns To Crystal Palace

More than 110 years after its first event, motor racing comes back to the south London venue

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the last event was held back in 1999

Motorsport is set to return to the nation's capital, as London's Crystal Palace Park plans to host a sprint event in May 2010.

The event, which will be run by the Sevenoaks and District Motor Club (SDMC), will revive one of the world's first dedicated motoring venues - the first motorsport events were held at Crystal Palace Park in 1899.

But SDMC is still looking for investors. "The plans are all in place and we are ready to go; we now need to raise the funds to pay for repair work to the track surface and the building of safety barriers," said a spokesman for the club.

The two-day event, currently scheduled for 30-31 May 2010, will involve a sprint competition for both historic and modern racing cars, including classes for alternative-fuel and electric vehicles, and an old-style wall of death show (which we reckon sounds particularly brilliant). It will also be the only nationally accredited motorsport event held within London.

The last events were held at the park in the late 1990s (click on the image to see video clips of the 1990s revival event), although the 1.39-mile circuit that was a regular fixture on the international motorsport scene in the 1950s and 1960s was closed in 1972.

Find out more about the history of motorsport at Crystal Palace Park here

 

 

 

[FourWheelDrift]

Full circuit or only part of it? It's all still there I think going on these photos - http://theracingline.net/racingcircuits/racingcirc...

But it needs some work done.

[wl606]

Part of it. In the 90s the sprints used the road leading up to the North Tower, and then around the North Tower. They were enjoyable events; a bit similar to the Brighton Speed Trials with regard to the variety of machinery.

[stifler]

Oooh, that sounds like a plan for next year. I bet the entry fees would be astronomical though.

[kevin ritson]

It's unlikely that the circuit itself will ever be revived as it would need a *lot* of work done to make it safe and with an entire housing estate surrrounding...well let's be thankful that Bromley Council aren't being a PITA this time...and on the subject of that my mother was brought up in the area and could often hear the engines and commentary on a weekend afternoon. Never bothered anyone then...

I went to '97's revival sprint and had an enjoyable afternoon, let's hope next year's happens. I used to visit the park as a child, a few years after the engines stopped, saw the Pixies play live there, my grandfather saw the palace burn down, the place is almost part of the family.

[GBRM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yQ7CPI1whY - good little interview with my late father.

The whole track couldn;t be used as it has been built on in places, as we found out in '99 when Dad took me round at great speed and we narrowly avoided a head-on with a brick wall that hand't been there when Dad won the last race in 1972!!

[Johnpidge]

Oh my word - I went to the last proper meeting there with school friends (Jamie Davies and his dad) when I was 12 yrs old - if you say it was 1972 then thats the date but it was a hell of a long time ago - they said it "had" to be shut down because of the NOISE - Bromley council going all environmental in the 70's?????? - Can't see it will be easy to re install it all and with all the health and safety stuff needed today!!

But if so brilliant !!!!

[Belfast Boy]

I 'll be there, its only 10 miles from me! ; )

[thepawbroon]

Cool - I've just registered for interest as potential competitor, not far from home and would make a fun day out

[untakenname]

I hope racing returns, when I was younger I used to race tamiya rc cars there on the purpose built rc track, haven't been there in ages due to the parks close proximity to Penge (unsafe)

[Lordbenny]

This video is absolutely brilliant, check out 'the swinging style of Jim Clark in the 57 Lotus Cortina' and as for the mini crash .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWp-0TuY4Sk&fea...

Edited by Lordbenny on Tuesday 11th August 17:05

[cgt]

Lordbenny said:

This video is absolutely brilliant, check out 'the swinging style of Jim Clark in the 57 Lotus Cortina' and as for the mini crash .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWp-0TuY4Sk&fea...

Edited by Lordbenny on Tuesday 11th August 17:05

thanks for that. poor mini :-(

this is nice too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY5zdnGvT0c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDAK4jBKmow

[Yeloperil]

I competed in a 250cc Bultaco Bullitt Kart at what I thought was the very last race in 1972 to be held at Crystal Palace. However, having watched the YouTube clip of dear old friend Gerry Marshall saying his race in a Jaguar was the last, I humble to my superiors! Great circuit, great man, both very sadly missed.

[DamonDash]

This would be great, only round the corner for me! Please someone with a relevant company and a fat wallet stump up some sponsorship cash!

[3doorPete]

Fantastic - I was there in 1999 and really enjoyed it. The valence hill climb was fantastic as well and that died off around 1999 also.

[carl_w]

Will the Sunday be a National B Sprint? I could be up for that.

[MATT427]

My dad and mates all competed in that event it was a really good event and i know as part of sevenoaks motor club their working hard to get it back, and as it says needs the funds

Edited by MATT427 on Tuesday 11th August 22:06

[GBRM]

Yeloperil said:

I competed in a 250cc Bultaco Bullitt Kart at what I thought was the very last race in 1972 to be held at Crystal Palace. However, having watched the YouTube clip of dear old friend Gerry Marshall saying his race in a Jaguar was the last, I humble to my superiors! Great circuit, great man, both very sadly missed.

No, you are right Yelo - Dad won the last ever car race at the Palace and then a week later there was a kart race which was the last ever event held there.

[dinkel]

Wow, another great reason to come over spring '10.

[Streetrod]

cgt said:

Lordbenny said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY5zdnGvT0c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDAK4jBKmow

Now that is good racing

[DM112233]

what great news - hope this works out


very close to where I live!!