What are the most famous Race Courses in Britain?

[jamesc]

Dunrod in N.Ireland has to be one of the greats! I think McNab raced there.

[lazyitus]

Eric Mc said:

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.

Agreed, Oulton has to be up there.

I'm sure it also rates in the top tier of favourite drivers courses?

[steviebee]

Depends on the criteria you are using to determine "famous".

I guess the most appropriate method would be to judge the number of images of various parts of circuits that have been the widest published.

On that basis, it would have to be the startline and Paddock Hill Bend at Brands and/or the startline at Silverstone.

I have many books on the history of motor racing and Brands tends to be featured far more than any other British circuit - particularly the era of the late 60's up to the early 80's mainly as it provided the best action - be it the 917s tearing down Graham Hill, Hunt's shunt at Paddock, Laffiete's carrer ending shunt at the same corner, Palmer staking his claim in the circuit in his RAM (or was it the Tyrrell - Eric MC will set me straight!) at Clearways - the circuit just seems more packed with notable events than any other.

[vlc]

ok so heres the list total by PH members -

Silverstone, Brooklands, Brands Hatch, Goodwood, Castle Combe, Aintree, Donington, Crystal Palace, Shelsley Walsh, Prescott, Oulton Park, Thruxton.

tho i'm surprised no one mentioned Snetterton, Knockhill, or SantaPod !!!
which are all famous in their own distinct way.

an whats the name of those racing circuits used by the tv progs of bbc's topgear an ch5's fifth gear?

one is in anglesey the other berkshire - i think???

[Eric Mc]

The circuit in Anglesey is called, not surprisingly, Anglesey. The "circuit" used in BBC's "Top Gear" is not a circuit at all (as many PHer's well know). It is Dunsfold Aerodrome - once the the home of British Aerospace Hawk and Harrier test flying (and before that owned by Hawker Siddeley and before that owned by Hawkers) - and it's in Surrey, not Berkshire..

>> Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 19th October 18:33

[anonymous-user]

Anglesey is commonly referred to as Ty Croes.

[Eric Mc]

True.

[McNab]

Maybe Ireland doesn't count, but at leat they were real country roads with ditches and other rural features. Dundrod was similar to the Isle of Man 'short course'. Both huge fun to drive, as were the ones in County Wicklow and the Curragh (Leinster Trophy and Wakefield Trophy). Then there was the Ards circuit - is it still there? The Jersey Road Race through the streets of St. Helier was a thriller with the noise booming off the buildings, although there was a bus stop placed awkwardly at the apex of one of the fastest bends.

Some more British than others, but at least they were more interestng than feautureless airfields. Wouldn't be allowed now. Safety.

[Eric Mc]

Unless you're a biker.

Dundrod, Skerries, Portrush and, of course, the Isle of Man - all still in use.

>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 22 October 13:19