Recently lost circuits

graeme · 26 Nov 2003, 14:36 (Ref:795081)

It light of the Octagan situation, what was/were the last UK circuits to be lost to racing? Ingliston surely must be the most recent...? But prior to that?

spearce · 26 Nov 2003, 14:52 (Ref:795089)

Birmingham, Aintree, Crystal Palace, Rufforth, Longridge ???

graeme · 26 Nov 2003, 15:03 (Ref:795101)

Birmingham - late eighties? Anyway was only temporary (and on its way back?)
Aintree - seventies?
Crystal Palace - '71?
Rufforth ???
Lonridge - is that Lancshire? late seventies?

diz · 26 Nov 2003, 15:09 (Ref:795108)

Quote:

Originally posted by graeme

Aintree - seventies?

Aintree 1982, although still has occasional test days via Aintree Circuit Club / Liverpool MC and I believe bike racing still goes on.
The younger TT users probably don't even know that the British GP was at Aintree 1955, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1962. I'm sure some Historic person will now start a "What are your memories of Aintree Grand Prix" thread

Dave Brand · 26 Nov 2003, 15:32 (Ref:795131)

Quote:

Originally posted by diz
I believe bike racing still goes on.

Correct; the circuit is also used for sprints, organised by Liverpool Motor Club.

graeme · 26 Nov 2003, 15:52 (Ref:795154)

I believe Aintree was lost to racing 'cos the Jockey Club threw a fit when a load of cars went off at a race and tore up the Grand National course. Didn't realise it was so recent. There were plans to bring the full GP circuit back for TOCA in the nineties but to no available. I spoke to a LMC chap at a sprint about whether the Club circuit could be revived for racing and the list of improvements required by the MSA was seemingly endless...

diz · 26 Nov 2003, 15:54 (Ref:795157)

Dave,
Aintree has a lot to answer for. I used to live half a mile away and was heavily involved there in marshalling and organising roles.

Without Aintree, I would have had no interest in motorsport and my ramblings wouldn't be taking place on TT.

I was bored a few weeks ago and went to a test day. First time there for nine years. They've built a golf course in the middle of the circuit!!

I also worked with Aintree Racing School there [now at Three Sisters although I've got a "proper job now"] until 1994

jminsh · 26 Nov 2003, 15:55 (Ref:795158)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by diz
"What are your memories of Aintree Grand Prix"

How did the cars get over the hedges as it seems hard work for Nags !!!!! LOL

J

Dave Brand · 26 Nov 2003, 16:05 (Ref:795166)

Quote:

Originally posted by diz
They've built a golf course in the middle of the circuit!!

With red flags stuck in the holes.....very confusing!

Quote:

Originally posted by graeme
I believe Aintree was lost to racing 'cos the Jockey Club threw a fit when a load of cars went off at a race and tore up the Grand National course. Didn't realise it was so recent

I've seen a bike on one of the golf tees; not aproved of! They are very fussy about the Grand National course - marshals are given dire warnings about driving on it to reach their posts!

Quote:

Originally posted by jminsh
How did the cars get over the hedges as it seems hard work for Nags !!!!!

Those hedges are nice & solid.....as in 'If he's going to throw that bike at me, sod the flag, I'm diving behind this hedge!'

Rob29 · 26 Nov 2003, 16:11 (Ref:795173)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jminsh

Quote:

Originally posted by diz
"What are your memories of Aintree Grand Prix"

How did the cars get over the hedges as it seems hard work for Nags !!!!! LOL

J

Believe it or not I think this did happen! One of the problems for the club meetings was that the clubs had to pay for damage to the fences.
I went to the last GP at Aintree in 1962 and managed to get there and back from London by train on the day.I had a stand seat opposite the pits,and visited the paddock,on my income at the time of about £8 per week.
Will never be revived as they would have to tear up most of the horse track to provide pit garages,and modern fences & run offs.

jminsh · 26 Nov 2003, 16:17 (Ref:795178)

The old man reckons Elvington wherever the hell that was.

spearce · 26 Nov 2003, 16:20 (Ref:795182)

Yorks, I think

... and another one Llandow.

jminsh · 26 Nov 2003, 16:30 (Ref:795199)

Proper Knickerbrook at Oulton the naff chicane in both guises has been lost to proper racing.

Then again so has Graham Hill bend at Brands What sort of loon designed that, how to completeley break up the flow of a circuit.

Rob29 · 26 Nov 2003, 16:36 (Ref:795211)

Jurby,IOM-might still be used for bikes,but why bother when they have lot of nice roads they can close? Elvington is in Yorks,as is Full Sutton(now a prison)

diz · 26 Nov 2003, 16:37 (Ref:795214)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jminsh

Quote:

Originally posted by diz
"What are your memories of Aintree Grand Prix"

How did the cars get over the hedges as it seems hard work for Nags !!!!! LOL

J

Ask your Dad.
A few tried it and failed expensively?

By Nags, do you mean horses, or is it your pet name for Sarah? Even more LOL

jminsh · 26 Nov 2003, 17:04 (Ref:795242)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by diz
By Nags, do you mean horses, or is it your pet name for Sarah? Even more LOL

Steady on Diz she doesn't Nag but shes got a mean left hook so look out if she can't have the number she wants next season.Oh yeh and it's her birthday today a bit more cake you've missed out on . LOL

diz · 26 Nov 2003, 17:07 (Ref:795248)

Happy birthday Sarah
Luv
Diz xxx

Dave Brand · 26 Nov 2003, 19:40 (Ref:795378)

Quote:

Originally posted by jminsh
The old man reckons Elvington wherever the hell that was.

Still used for bikes & for track days. It's near York, on the old WWII airfield which also houses the Yorkshire Aviation Museum.

vaughan jones · 26 Nov 2003, 19:58 (Ref:795395)

deben near saffron waldron?

ss_collins · 27 Nov 2003, 10:04 (Ref:795882)

Um, Llandow is still open but not to race standards yet.

Crystal Palace Closed to Cars in '72, karts a couple of years later, reopened for sprints between 97 and 2001, currently the council won't entertain the idea of sprints returning.

Debden is used for sprints.

graeme · 27 Nov 2003, 10:16 (Ref:795895)

Llandow is a rather good sprint track (it was resurfaced a couple of years ago). No chance of it re-opening as a race circuit (IMHO) as its too narrow and the run-off is marginal.

KA · 27 Nov 2003, 17:40 (Ref:796271)

You could also include Carnaby, active during the 70's- ended in 1979
http://www.racingcircuits.net/archiv...aby/index.html

Was it ever used for actual racing with cars or was it just bike racing and car sprints?

graeme · 27 Nov 2003, 17:55 (Ref:796278)

Don't think Carnby was used for car racing (its not in "Motor Racing Circuit in England, Now and Then...).

big andy · 27 Nov 2003, 18:35 (Ref:796306)

rufforth closed in 1977 the tracks still there though

Dave Brand · 27 Nov 2003, 18:40 (Ref:796309)

Quote:

Originally posted by KA
You could also include Carnaby, active during the 70's- ended in 1979

Yet another which is still used for bike racing!

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