Davidstowe Airfield.
Discussion
Well, I've just been over Davidstow Moor and it's still wide open to anyone who can get there, the old airfield is signed as "agricultural common private land", whatever that means, and is bisected by a public road and has the added hazard of free-roaming sheep on the grassy areas. The sign also says "No racing, testing" so I guess there's no chance of any organised access. The main drag I drove down measures just under one mile in length, dead straight but not in very good condition, there are some serious potholes and deep cracks, trenches and loose areas across the direction of the runway where it was originally laid in sections.
I have taken a few photos to show the extent of the damage to the surface (yes, I have a Ford daily driver, get the jokes over now please...), and evidence that the local 'boy racers' have been damaging low-slung cars is everywhere.
It's got me thinking though... all we would need would be the land owners permission, a few tonnes of cheap tarmac and someone who knows how to lay it, a borrowed set of timing lights and we could have a little quarter-mile 'street wars' action right here in little ole' Cornwall...
I have taken a few photos to show the extent of the damage to the surface (yes, I have a Ford daily driver, get the jokes over now please...), and evidence that the local 'boy racers' have been damaging low-slung cars is everywhere.
It's got me thinking though... all we would need would be the land owners permission, a few tonnes of cheap tarmac and someone who knows how to lay it, a borrowed set of timing lights and we could have a little quarter-mile 'street wars' action right here in little ole' Cornwall...
Davidstow has history as a motor racing venue after the war; not sure if this holds any value in using it again, found this after quickly Googling, note correct spelling. (note sheep/fog problems at a F1 venue....):-
Davidstow
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RAF Davidstow Moor was a World War II airbase operational from 1 October 1942. It was situated at an altitude of 970ft on Bodmin Moor, and was frequently ravaged by Atlantic gales. Motor racing commenced on a 2.6 mile track on the 9th August 1952, the track map being shown below.
True to its location, the first meeting was held in torrential rain to a crowd of 3000. Two meetings were planned for 1953 (on the now 1.85 mile track shown below), the first which was affected by fog (and was delayed until they could clear the sheep from the back straight), and the second which suffered from poor crowd attendance as it was a hot sunny day and the crowds went to the beach instead. The two meetings in 1954 were also affected by rain, so for 1955 one race meeting was held on Whit Monday, the 30th May. The highlight of the meeting was a full Formula One race, but racing was never to be held at the track again.
Davidstow
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RAF Davidstow Moor was a World War II airbase operational from 1 October 1942. It was situated at an altitude of 970ft on Bodmin Moor, and was frequently ravaged by Atlantic gales. Motor racing commenced on a 2.6 mile track on the 9th August 1952, the track map being shown below.
True to its location, the first meeting was held in torrential rain to a crowd of 3000. Two meetings were planned for 1953 (on the now 1.85 mile track shown below), the first which was affected by fog (and was delayed until they could clear the sheep from the back straight), and the second which suffered from poor crowd attendance as it was a hot sunny day and the crowds went to the beach instead. The two meetings in 1954 were also affected by rain, so for 1955 one race meeting was held on Whit Monday, the 30th May. The highlight of the meeting was a full Formula One race, but racing was never to be held at the track again.
Edited by graham22 on Tuesday 24th April 13:26
Couldn't post pictures in above but map plan on attached link:
www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/davidsto.html
www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/davidsto.html
I was in the area this afternoon so decided to stop off for a nosey, something I've been meaning to do since I first heard about the place a few years ago.
As per Bude David's comments above, I can confirm that this is not the ideal testing ground for a low-slung sportscar. I drove most of the length of the main runway, then cut across to the old control tower (under the 'm' of 'mile' on David's aerial photo). For most of this I didn't get above about 15mph, so bad was the surface. The whole place is covered in potholes, cracks and loose debris from the broken surface, and there are some crater-like potholes that looked like they could swallow an Elise whole!
On the plus side, it makes an interesting location for some photography...
As per Bude David's comments above, I can confirm that this is not the ideal testing ground for a low-slung sportscar. I drove most of the length of the main runway, then cut across to the old control tower (under the 'm' of 'mile' on David's aerial photo). For most of this I didn't get above about 15mph, so bad was the surface. The whole place is covered in potholes, cracks and loose debris from the broken surface, and there are some crater-like potholes that looked like they could swallow an Elise whole!
On the plus side, it makes an interesting location for some photography...
Edited by thegreenhell on Sunday 6th May 18:48
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