Motorsport race tracks in Britain?
Discussion
Motorsport race tracks in Britain
here's the stat results from what i researched today...
oldest = donnington park, 1909
newest = rockingham, 2001
most corners = 17, silverstone
least corners = 5, goodwood
longest length = 3.94, silverstone
shortest length = 1.0, lydden hill
longest lap record = 1.32.880, rockingham
shortest lap record = 0.38.0, lydden hill
nb-
where figures were equall the eldest track was listed.
i included only brdc rated circuits so to keep it offical-like.
ps-
excluding the typical WRC race courses, i wonder, are there a similar amount of 'off-road' race courses that equate somewhat with say the top 16 tarmac circuit courses? [key examples being those above]
cheers for any thoughts on this matter
here's the stat results from what i researched today...
oldest = donnington park, 1909
newest = rockingham, 2001
most corners = 17, silverstone
least corners = 5, goodwood
longest length = 3.94, silverstone
shortest length = 1.0, lydden hill
longest lap record = 1.32.880, rockingham
shortest lap record = 0.38.0, lydden hill
nb-
where figures were equall the eldest track was listed.
i included only brdc rated circuits so to keep it offical-like.
ps-
excluding the typical WRC race courses, i wonder, are there a similar amount of 'off-road' race courses that equate somewhat with say the top 16 tarmac circuit courses? [key examples being those above]
cheers for any thoughts on this matter
What research did you carry out?
Brooklands was the UK's first race circuit and opened in 1907. It closed for good in 1939. It was the world's first purpose built circuit.
Donington Park opened in the early 1930s but was closed to racing from 1939 to about 1975. The current version of Donington bears limited resemblence to the pre-war original.
Because of the inability to race on closed down public roads (unlike on the Continent, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands), racing on the British mainland was restricted to these two purpose built circuits for quite a while. The situation was helped later in the 30s by the opeing of the Crystal Palace circuit near London.
The number of circuits available rocketed after the war. Many (such as Silverstone) were former WW2 airfields. Some were purpose built (Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Cadwell). Many of the airfield circuits were only used a limited number of times before permanent closure.
The best book on this subject is Swinger's "English Motor Racing Ciorcuits - Then and Now". Unfortunately, since it only covers England, circuits in Scotland, Wales and both parts of Ireland are not included.
Brooklands was the UK's first race circuit and opened in 1907. It closed for good in 1939. It was the world's first purpose built circuit.
Donington Park opened in the early 1930s but was closed to racing from 1939 to about 1975. The current version of Donington bears limited resemblence to the pre-war original.
Because of the inability to race on closed down public roads (unlike on the Continent, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands), racing on the British mainland was restricted to these two purpose built circuits for quite a while. The situation was helped later in the 30s by the opeing of the Crystal Palace circuit near London.
The number of circuits available rocketed after the war. Many (such as Silverstone) were former WW2 airfields. Some were purpose built (Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Cadwell). Many of the airfield circuits were only used a limited number of times before permanent closure.
The best book on this subject is Swinger's "English Motor Racing Ciorcuits - Then and Now". Unfortunately, since it only covers England, circuits in Scotland, Wales and both parts of Ireland are not included.
Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 10th August 08:07
Eric Mc said:
Brooklands was the UK's first race circuit and opened in 1907. It closed for good in 1939. It was the world's first purpose built circuit.
i wonder if OP was referring to 'oldest circuit currently in operation' or something..?
_____________________________
agree Shelsley Walsh should get a mention if you're writing something up...
Edited by baSkey on Thursday 10th August 08:44
Still way out for Donington Park though.
Donington opened in 1931. It was used for full scale Grand Prix races in 1937 and 1938.
It was comandeered by the Army during WW2 who used it for vehicle storage. After the war it languished in a dilapidated state until bought by Tom Wheatcroft and reopened for racing, in greatly modified form, in 1977.
Donington opened in 1931. It was used for full scale Grand Prix races in 1937 and 1938.
It was comandeered by the Army during WW2 who used it for vehicle storage. After the war it languished in a dilapidated state until bought by Tom Wheatcroft and reopened for racing, in greatly modified form, in 1977.
What are brdc rated circuits? Do you mean MSA licenced tracks? keith scarfe said:
>least corners = 5, goodwood
Depends if a chicane (esses) is classed as 1, 2 or 3 corners, but if 1 then wouldn't mallory qualify here as it only has 4 conrers.
Depends if a chicane (esses) is classed as 1, 2 or 3 corners, but if 1 then wouldn't mallory qualify here as it only has 4 conrers.
I'd say Mallory (without the chicane) has 5. Gerrards, the right and the left handers at the Lake Esses, the right hand hairpin and the Devils Elbow. With the new extension at Edwina's you can add another 2.
Goodwood has at least 7 corners (even discounting the chicane) - Madgwick, Fordwater (of course it's a corner - try going though without turning the wheel
), the right and left at St. Mary's, the 2 right handers at Lavent Corner. Woodcote, then the right/left chicane. So really 9 in total.FourWheelDrift said:
keith scarfe said:
>least corners = 5, goodwood
Depends if a chicane (esses) is classed as 1, 2 or 3 corners, but if 1 then wouldn't mallory qualify here as it only has 4 conrers.
Depends if a chicane (esses) is classed as 1, 2 or 3 corners, but if 1 then wouldn't mallory qualify here as it only has 4 conrers.
I'd say Mallory (without the chicane) has 5. Gerrards, the right and the left handers at the Lake Esses, the right hand hairpin and the Devils Elbow. With the new extension at Edwina's you can add another 2.
Goodwood has at least 7 corners (even discounting the chicane) - Madgwick, Fordwater (of course it's a corner - try going though without turning the wheel
), the right and left at St. Mary's, the 2 right handers at Lavent Corner. Woodcote, then the right/left chicane. So really 9 in total.Isn't Gerrards at Mallory the longest corner of any circuit in the UK?
penryar said:
Isn't Gerrards at Mallory the longest corner of any circuit in the UK?
I believe so and isnt Revett at Snett the longest straight.
Dont forget there is a difference between car and bike layouts, with the bike generally getting a few extra bits ( like edwinas and the bus stop at mallory)
groomi said:
Was Brooklands not older than Donington?
true but its no longer a race track but a customer road car driving venue, partly owned by the county council whose land it exists in, [as so i heard last yr].
Eric Mc said:
What research did you carry out?
The number of circuits available rocketed after the war.
The number of circuits available rocketed after the war.
oh nothing earth-shattering, just a prelimary browse through data on the top uk circuits about.
an so after working thru a little stat count, i thought i'd post here the brief findings in case some here found them interesting.
an now in opening this to the floor...
regarding the state of motorsport race venues in the UK today, would you say theyre in a better state than say 20 yrs ago?
for i read theres been some racing-groups who've done much work nationwide in their upgrading over the past decade.
ps- an any thoughts on the original 'PS' query in my opening post?
Edited by vlc on Monday 14th August 23:46
On the whole, most circuits are in better shape now compared to twenty years ago.
Silverstone has been through many, many changes, both in track layout and facility upgrades since 1987.
Brands Hatch and all the tracks owned as part of what used to be Brands Hatch Leisure are now owned by Jonathan Palmer and have been "tarted up" quite a bit in the past few years.
Of course, Goodwood has reappeared on the scene having been out of action as a race circuit since 1966 and has been beautifully restored.
Most circuits have been resurfaced a couple of times with various changes to their layouts. Recently the profile of Gerrards at Mallory Park was altered, for instance.
Regarding "off road" courses, I'm not exactly sure what you mean. During the heyday of Rallycross, a number of "normal" circuits featured "off road" sections to facilitate Rallycourse events - Lydden becoming the main one. Although Rallycross is not as high profie as it was in the 70s, it still takes place.
The notion of ralleys taking place on set courses is rather new - being a development of the Special Stage concept. Up until the 80s, ralleys were more point to point rather than circular courses and each section was performed once only. Pace notes weren't even allowed on most events. Ralleying has changed beyond recognition in the past 10 to 20 years - not always for the better.
Silverstone has been through many, many changes, both in track layout and facility upgrades since 1987.
Brands Hatch and all the tracks owned as part of what used to be Brands Hatch Leisure are now owned by Jonathan Palmer and have been "tarted up" quite a bit in the past few years.
Of course, Goodwood has reappeared on the scene having been out of action as a race circuit since 1966 and has been beautifully restored.
Most circuits have been resurfaced a couple of times with various changes to their layouts. Recently the profile of Gerrards at Mallory Park was altered, for instance.
Regarding "off road" courses, I'm not exactly sure what you mean. During the heyday of Rallycross, a number of "normal" circuits featured "off road" sections to facilitate Rallycourse events - Lydden becoming the main one. Although Rallycross is not as high profie as it was in the 70s, it still takes place.
The notion of ralleys taking place on set courses is rather new - being a development of the Special Stage concept. Up until the 80s, ralleys were more point to point rather than circular courses and each section was performed once only. Pace notes weren't even allowed on most events. Ralleying has changed beyond recognition in the past 10 to 20 years - not always for the better.
[quote=Eric Mc (could have said)]O
Silverstone has been through many, many changes, both in fence layout and fence and car park upgrades since 1987.[/quote]
Silverstone, its no good you being able to see where you want to go there are 15 fences and 24 locked gates between here and there....
Silverstone has been through many, many changes, both in fence layout and fence and car park upgrades since 1987.[/quote]
Silverstone, its no good you being able to see where you want to go there are 15 fences and 24 locked gates between here and there....
Eric Mc said:
What research did you carry out?
The best book on this subject is Swinger's "English Motor Racing Ciorcuits - Then and Now". Unfortunately, since it only covers England, circuits in Scotland, Wales and both parts of Ireland are not included.
The best book on this subject is Swinger's "English Motor Racing Ciorcuits - Then and Now". Unfortunately, since it only covers England, circuits in Scotland, Wales and both parts of Ireland are not included.
Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 10th August 08:07
....Speaking of which, Knockhill has the record for being the coldest circuit!
Also very probably the highest at 800ft, and maybe even the hilliest with its 200ft variation in height amsl.
Edited by rick.e on Tuesday 15th August 19:08
Eric Mc said:
The best book on this subject is Swinger's "English Motor Racing Circuits - Then and Now".
snigger Am I the only one to find "Swinger's" book on anything slightly funny...
Actually I looked at that book just last week and very nearly bought it, I think i will next time im in town...
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