Rockingham to close
Discussion
MitchT said:
The point of Rockingham is that it's an oval. Other than two Champ Car races (in 2001 and 2002) there hasn't been any oval racing there that I'm aware of. If there was an Indy race there every year I'd be on it but there isn't and there are already enough circuits in the UK doing "road course" type racing.
I went to one of those champ car races and it was awesome 
Shame the track is closing, if only for the fact that it had one of the best fry-up cafes I can recall, about 5 mins from the circuit called The Greedy Pig
Their official statement doesn’t actually say it’s closing though, it says there will be changes.
That could mean drastically reduced quantities of events there or it could mean it’s going to end up like Bedford, mainly corporate with a few track days.
I know it probably does mean closure but nothing is confirmed until the new owners are named. If it’s Kier or Barretts or someone like that, we will know for sure!
That could mean drastically reduced quantities of events there or it could mean it’s going to end up like Bedford, mainly corporate with a few track days.
I know it probably does mean closure but nothing is confirmed until the new owners are named. If it’s Kier or Barretts or someone like that, we will know for sure!
It's been totally off my radar but I went on Sunday to see the Btcc there on Sunday.
Amazed to be honest, seems quite a well turned out venue. Brilliant for spectator viewing really enjoyed it.
But, on the other side, it was empty. Obviously only the main grandstand was in use, but even that wasn't anywhere near full. Can't have been anywhere near 10,000 people. Now I'm sure somewhere like Oulton pulls more than that, despite arguably poorer racing and view points where you don't get to see the whole track.
I can only assume its a lack of character or location, or both. Not much that can be done about that unfortunately. Shame really.
Amazed to be honest, seems quite a well turned out venue. Brilliant for spectator viewing really enjoyed it.
But, on the other side, it was empty. Obviously only the main grandstand was in use, but even that wasn't anywhere near full. Can't have been anywhere near 10,000 people. Now I'm sure somewhere like Oulton pulls more than that, despite arguably poorer racing and view points where you don't get to see the whole track.
I can only assume its a lack of character or location, or both. Not much that can be done about that unfortunately. Shame really.
https://www.autosport.com/national/news/138046/roc...
I did a trackday last year there and wasn’t a fan, as a spectator it’s even worse. If they could have got the yanks over for once a year like the Super Bowl it could have been a great venue.
I did a trackday last year there and wasn’t a fan, as a spectator it’s even worse. If they could have got the yanks over for once a year like the Super Bowl it could have been a great venue.
MitchT said:
The point of Rockingham is that it's an oval. Other than two Champ Car races (in 2001 and 2002) there hasn't been any oval racing there that I'm aware of. If there was an Indy race there every year I'd be on it but there isn't and there are already enough circuits in the UK doing "road course" type racing.
There was a "UK NASCAR" series called ASCAR for a few years, and since then there have been regular Pick Up Truck oval races each year. However, it is true that the Oval circuit has not been used as much as intended. ISTR reading that it was built at the wrong bank angle for the US Series to come back and the U.K. Weather doesn't help!I don't think its quite as simple as the circuit just closing, the operating co. of the housing development/circuit has been in administration since 2016,so the sale would have by the receivers as a fire sale. It might be that the new owners have bought it as a punt, no shortage of building land in the area,would cost a fortune to clear the site.
It would be a shame to see it go, I've raced there before and enjoyed it.
I do seam to remember there was lots of issues with the site, sure I've heard rumors of contaminated land at the back of the circuit and grandstands that cannot be used for some reason or another.
Fingers crossed who ever has bought it will continue racing there.
I do seam to remember there was lots of issues with the site, sure I've heard rumors of contaminated land at the back of the circuit and grandstands that cannot be used for some reason or another.
Fingers crossed who ever has bought it will continue racing there.
andye30m3 said:
It would be a shame to see it go, I've raced there before and enjoyed it.
I do seam to remember there was lots of issues with the site, sure I've heard rumors of contaminated land at the back of the circuit and grandstands that cannot be used for some reason or another.
Fingers crossed who ever has bought it will continue racing there.
The grandstands can’t be used due to subsidence. I do seam to remember there was lots of issues with the site, sure I've heard rumors of contaminated land at the back of the circuit and grandstands that cannot be used for some reason or another.
Fingers crossed who ever has bought it will continue racing there.
There should be a book written on how not to plan / build / run a motor racing circuit.
Rockingham would be the only case study needed.
Sentiment aside (took my boys to their first races there) the circuit was a massive victim of circumstances, piss poor planning, terrible timing, dubious promises and massive losses. From subsiding grandstands to the leaky concrete racetrack, its a massive example of how not to do it.
Whats more telling is that it was the last purpose built circuit to be built in the UK. In all likely hood I doubt there will be another.
RIP the 'Rock.
Rockingham would be the only case study needed.
Sentiment aside (took my boys to their first races there) the circuit was a massive victim of circumstances, piss poor planning, terrible timing, dubious promises and massive losses. From subsiding grandstands to the leaky concrete racetrack, its a massive example of how not to do it.
Whats more telling is that it was the last purpose built circuit to be built in the UK. In all likely hood I doubt there will be another.
RIP the 'Rock.
andye30m3 said:
It would be a shame to see it go, I've raced there before and enjoyed it.
I do seam to remember there was lots of issues with the site, sure I've heard rumors of contaminated land at the back of the circuit and grandstands that cannot be used for some reason or another.
Fingers crossed who ever has bought it will continue racing there.
The whole site is contaminated due to it's former life as a steel works site. I can't see it ever being used for residential use as there is a lot of land around which is better suited but there is already planning in place for an industrial park on part of the site.I do seam to remember there was lots of issues with the site, sure I've heard rumors of contaminated land at the back of the circuit and grandstands that cannot be used for some reason or another.
Fingers crossed who ever has bought it will continue racing there.
I'm sad to see it go. I've done trackdays there, a V8 Stockcar experience and a number of BARC Midlands sprints. Some people don't like the circuit but I always loved it, plus it's reasonably convenient for me to get to.
I can't see any other race tracks being developed soon so we should mourn its loss.
I can't see any other race tracks being developed soon so we should mourn its loss.
yeah losing any race track is a loss in the current climate of noise police limiting faciilites and the roads now being such a hostile place to have any fun.
I've raced at Rockingham, spectated, track day'd, test day'd. Even crashed into my team mate no less.
It's a real shame to be losing the venue. Promotes great racing to drive.
BTCC was fab this weekend as were all the support races.
It sounds like a commercial decision though, if there isn't the market to justify it, well it is what it is.
The world is not a charity.
One can only hope it makes the remaining circuits stronger as they'll have extra days requested.
I've raced at Rockingham, spectated, track day'd, test day'd. Even crashed into my team mate no less.
It's a real shame to be losing the venue. Promotes great racing to drive.
BTCC was fab this weekend as were all the support races.
It sounds like a commercial decision though, if there isn't the market to justify it, well it is what it is.
The world is not a charity.
One can only hope it makes the remaining circuits stronger as they'll have extra days requested.
Was there back in 2001 working BGT, been back many many times.
If Im totally honest as a workplace it was my least favourite circuit. Perhaps to drive it ? Dont know never went round there.
Pit lane a pain in the arse for pit stops, stupid Nascar double wall where the turning circle is nigh on impossible to get a car out the garage in one go.
Pitifully small paddock area - recalled one meeting having to go out through the tunnel to the tyre fitters with the quad and trollies.. a good 10 minutes each way. Restaurants based in the outer stands, having to walk in from the car park every day.....
Sure it is sad to see a circuit close, but this I feel was doomed from its inception. A storage facility for fleet cars now, whispers were a testing ground (perhaps the banking will be used, but no more racing)but looks less likely.
If Im totally honest as a workplace it was my least favourite circuit. Perhaps to drive it ? Dont know never went round there.
Pit lane a pain in the arse for pit stops, stupid Nascar double wall where the turning circle is nigh on impossible to get a car out the garage in one go.
Pitifully small paddock area - recalled one meeting having to go out through the tunnel to the tyre fitters with the quad and trollies.. a good 10 minutes each way. Restaurants based in the outer stands, having to walk in from the car park every day.....
Sure it is sad to see a circuit close, but this I feel was doomed from its inception. A storage facility for fleet cars now, whispers were a testing ground (perhaps the banking will be used, but no more racing)but looks less likely.
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