What are the most famous Race Courses in Britain?
Discussion
vlc said:Goodwood has to rate, although its not that old (40 or 50s I think) its got the heritage.
for me its silverstone an brooklands.
an i'm speaking historically not just currently.
PS- AN I DONT MEAN HORSE RACES.
However anything pre-WWII airfield has to get some credit, as since then the trend seems to be for all tracks to be flat.
Aintree 
- www.ccuk.com/aintree.htm
2004 Revival meeting in November.
Donington for the Pre-War races.
Brooklands for historic.
- www.ccuk.com/aintree.htm 2004 Revival meeting in November.
Donington for the Pre-War races.
Brooklands for historic.
There were only three race tracks on the British mainland prior to World War 2 - Brooklands, Donnington Park and Crystal Palace. Brooklands closed in 1939 and never re-opened. Donnington Park also closed in 1939 but re-opened in 1975/76. However, the modern Donnington is a very different track to the pre-war version. Crystal Palace was re-activated in the 1950s but closed for good in 1972.
All the other tracks date from the late 1940s and 1950s except for Thruxton, which held its first race in 1968. Silverstone and Goodwood both opened in 1948.
The most historic "tracks" in Britain are actually hillclimb venues such as Shelsley Walsh and Prescott which have histories going back pre World War One and are still in use, with largely unchanged layouts too.
All the other tracks date from the late 1940s and 1950s except for Thruxton, which held its first race in 1968. Silverstone and Goodwood both opened in 1948.
The most historic "tracks" in Britain are actually hillclimb venues such as Shelsley Walsh and Prescott which have histories going back pre World War One and are still in use, with largely unchanged layouts too.
Aintree hosted the British GP a number of times between 1955 and 1962. Oulton Park hosted quite a few prestigious (albeit non World Championship) Formula 1 races up to the mid 1970s. I think Oulton and Aintree belong in the top tier - or at least they have as much right as Brands Hatch does.
In more recent times perhaps.
Oulton is still going strong - at least on the national level.
And the initial question did state that the historical aspect was important. I would think hosting a few Grand Prix was "historic" enough for Aintree to be included.
Brands Harch just managed to hold on to a few more international races for a bit longer. It's days as a major player on the international motor racing scene (Superbikes excluded, of course) are gone for good.
The way Bernie is going, it might not be long before Silverstone joins the ranks of "Ex-British GP locations".
Oulton is still going strong - at least on the national level.
And the initial question did state that the historical aspect was important. I would think hosting a few Grand Prix was "historic" enough for Aintree to be included.
Brands Harch just managed to hold on to a few more international races for a bit longer. It's days as a major player on the international motor racing scene (Superbikes excluded, of course) are gone for good.
The way Bernie is going, it might not be long before Silverstone joins the ranks of "Ex-British GP locations".
Eric Mc said:
There were only three race tracks on the British mainland prior to World War 2 - Brooklands, Donnington Park and Crystal Palace. Brooklands closed in 1939 and never re-opened. Donnington Park also closed in 1939 but re-opened in 1975/76. However, the modern Donnington is a very different track to the pre-war version. Crystal Palace was re-activated in the 1950s but closed for good in 1972.
All the other tracks date from the late 1940s and 1950s except for Thruxton, which held its first race in 1968. Silverstone and Goodwood both opened in 1948.
The most historic "tracks" in Britain are actually hillclimb venues such as Shelsley Walsh and Prescott which have histories going back pre World War One and are still in use, with largely unchanged layouts too.
Erm, the first circuit layout for thruxton I have is 1950?
We are both right. Consulting the "bible" on English race tracks ("Motor Racing Circuits Then and Now" by Peter Swinger) reveals that the first races were held at Thruxton Airfield in 1952. Only one meeting was held that year and the track bore very little resemblance to the one used today. A slightly revised layout was used agin in 1953 and again for only one meeting. Motor cycle racing continued until 1965 by which time the track was in very poor condition and virtually unusable. This "old" Thruxton used the runways and part of the northern perimeter track of the wartime airfield.
In 1966 Goodwood held its last race meetings and the BARC, who ran all the races at Goodwood, needed a new home. Thruxton was selected and a major renovation and improvement programme was put in place at the airfield. The"new improved" Goodwood, virtually the circuit as it is today, opened for business 17 March 1968. The "new" Thruxton follows the line of the entire wartime perimeter track.
In 1966 Goodwood held its last race meetings and the BARC, who ran all the races at Goodwood, needed a new home. Thruxton was selected and a major renovation and improvement programme was put in place at the airfield. The"new improved" Goodwood, virtually the circuit as it is today, opened for business 17 March 1968. The "new" Thruxton follows the line of the entire wartime perimeter track.
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