Motorsport race tracks in Britain?
Discussion
Roy C said:
atomicrex said:
combemarshal said:
Castle Combe = Best circuit in England!!
Combe must be pretty near the top in it's original layout for fastest circuit, and only 4 corners!
Combe must be pretty near the top in it's original layout for fastest circuit, and only 4 corners!
And I think its the widest circuit in the UK
And probably the narrowest pit lane entrance!
Yes you don't want to screw up coming off track, get your speed wrong and it could prove expensive.....not to mention embarrassing as there are a lot of spectators stood there!!!
You mean "non-tarmac"?
There are all sorts of motor sport events held on private land throughout the UK - usually on farmers' fields or private land. Many motor clubs run such events. However, most are fairly low key and at amateur "club" level. The courses used are temporary and may change from event to event. Events range from quad-bike races to four wheel drive competitions and lawnmower racing.
Rallycross uses a combination of tarmac and rough surfaces. In its heyday, many of the biggest circuits had rallycross sectors (i.e Brands Hatch, Lydden etc). I'm not so sure as to where rallycross events take place in the UK these days but those venues would probbaly count within your definition of "off road" courses.
To be honest, since motor racing cannot take place on public roads in mainland Britain, ALL racing in Britain is "off road".
There are all sorts of motor sport events held on private land throughout the UK - usually on farmers' fields or private land. Many motor clubs run such events. However, most are fairly low key and at amateur "club" level. The courses used are temporary and may change from event to event. Events range from quad-bike races to four wheel drive competitions and lawnmower racing.
Rallycross uses a combination of tarmac and rough surfaces. In its heyday, many of the biggest circuits had rallycross sectors (i.e Brands Hatch, Lydden etc). I'm not so sure as to where rallycross events take place in the UK these days but those venues would probbaly count within your definition of "off road" courses.
To be honest, since motor racing cannot take place on public roads in mainland Britain, ALL racing in Britain is "off road".
Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 22 August 09:19
Graham said:
Croft I think still holds rallyx
Oh yes
froze my nuts off there earlier this year in -5C filming for 7 hours. I poured a cup of coffer at the start of one race and by the time I was able to drink it it had started to freeze over on the top. The car had 4 inch long icicles on it, got a photo somewhere...
Graham said:
Eric Mc said:
I'm not so sure as to where rallycross events take place in the UK these days but those venues would probbaly count within your definition of "off road" courses.
off the top of my head
Brands Hatch
Lydden Hill
Anglesey
Pembrey
Croft I think still holds rallyx
Knockhill holds rallies too - they use the infield section as the gravel stage.
combemarshal said:
Castle Combe = Best circuit in England!!
Combe must be pretty near the top in it's original layout for fastest circuit, and only 4 corners!
Combe must be pretty near the top in it's original layout for fastest circuit, and only 4 corners!
Yep sure is Lee
The circuit has also got to hold the record for the most clashes with its local council over noise issues.
Then again i saw i snippet Brands were having problems again with the local nimby's
Cadwell Park is the best circuit in the county, just a little narrow round the mountain section....micron750 said:
combemarshal said:
Castle Combe = Best circuit in England!!
Combe must be pretty near the top in it's original layout for fastest circuit, and only 4 corners!
Combe must be pretty near the top in it's original layout for fastest circuit, and only 4 corners!
Yep sure is Lee
The circuit has also got to hold the record for the most clashes with its local council over noise issues.
Then again i saw i snippet Brands were having problems again with the local nimby's
Someone at Lydden on Saturday was explaining that the circuit sits smack across the border of two CC's - Dover and Ashford I think it is. Apparently they don't get on so when one gave permission for development of the circuit (for continued circuit use, not housing) the other refused. Then, when they came round to the idea, the other changed their mind and withdrew their approval!
PS - Lydden must have at least joint claim on the lowest number of corners - 4.
It's not the only circuit in two neighbouring authorities. Donington is now entirely in Leicestershire, but the old Melbourne hairpin was in South Derbyshire. Before WW2 the circuit went further west before returning to Redgate, which was a left-hander. The new hairpin was built inside Leicestershire to avoid planning complications. Silverstone is also in two counties - Stowe corner is in Bucks and the rest is in Northants.
ApexClipper said:
macsport said:
shortest (and fastest) lap record:
Rockingham Oval: 24.719s - 215.397 mph Tony Kanaan Sept 2001
Rockingham Oval: 24.719s - 215.397 mph Tony Kanaan Sept 2001
It's not really a track in the purest sense though, is it?
Depends on your point of view I suppose.
The Rockingham Oval is a closed course circuit with four corners - they just all turn left. So it is race track, it's just a unique configuration in the UK.
Prior to 2001 the previous record for a closed course circuit in the UK was held by Keke Rosburg at Silverstone, 160.4mph in qualifying for the '85(?) BGP. Mansell broke this at Rockingham in May 2001 (163.4mph average)and made a big thing about doing it too.
While US style oval racing isn't everyone's cup of tea this side of the Atlantic, just because it doesn't fit with the European norm doesn't mean the circuit, and the record it holds, is any less valid than the other circuits in this country.
The Combe outright lap record was 130 mph before the circuit changed,Nigel Greensal who set the record said with a bit if testing could have gone quicker 184 mph into the first corner was a breath taking sight and so was the sound of a f1 v10 at full chat...pity we'll never see or hear it at combe again
ApexClipper said:
macsport said:
shortest (and fastest) lap record:
Rockingham Oval: 24.719s - 215.397 mph Tony Kanaan Sept 2001
Rockingham Oval: 24.719s - 215.397 mph Tony Kanaan Sept 2001
It's not really a track in the purest sense though, is it?
Back in may, a 2005 Ferrari F1 car lapped Knockhill in 41.5s at an average speed of 112mph
There it is
Edited by deevlash on Thursday 24th August 19:03
jalopyjoe said:
I seem to remember that at one time the outright lap record at Lydden was held by a 250 international kart, god knows what that class is called now though, but in the 70s they could match or beat F3 times at most circuits.
Jaysus
micron750 said:
The Combe outright lap record was 130 mph before the circuit changed,Nigel Greensal who set the record said with a bit if testing could have gone quicker 184 mph into the first corner was a breath taking sight and so was the sound of a f1 v10 at full chat...pity we'll never see or hear it at combe again
I would loved to have seen that
Watching the Ferrari F1 car (above) at Knockhill was awesome, was absolutley epic watching him launch out the hairpin at 30 odd mph then brake for Duffus at 190mph
atomicrex said:
Although Combe has its problems, Goodwood suffers from sound even worse!
I'd have to dissagree there, Combe has already lost it's battle, It doesn't get any worse than that!!
And I'd also have to say Combe is far from the widest track in the UK, But it does have the best visibility of any track in the country, not that you can see as much on post!
The Pit entrance must be to wide, about 3 meetings ago a Formula ford had suspension failiure as it went past the entrance flat out, the failiure sent it straight down the pit lane and round the bank, just missing the Marshals and fire bottles!
Silverstone has to win the windiest (that aint spelt right!) circuit in England, dam ex airfields!! (well not quite Ex!)
Combe must now be the most used track on TV, Fith gear were there twice this week (that I know off!) and from what I hear there could be some very hairy helicopter shots!
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