Before all the venues disappear...
Discussion
I attended college on the site of Carnaby, there was still some small evidence of it in the early 90's, but was long gone. I have attended more than most in terms of venues and different sorts of racing, ranging from hovercraft, to offshore powerboats, drag racing, moped enduros. I have not travelled much to see racing, but have been to the important places in Europe!!
The only thing I have never seen are very basic events such as production car trials, autotests, if there was one down the road I would go and watch, but tot ravel to a very competitor based sport is not something I would do at that level. Also I feel lucky to have been switched on by bike racing at an early age too, so have watched or been involved in most forms there, motocross, enduro, circuits, beach races, The only place I have no been to is the TT, and that is a love/hate relationship with the race itself more than anything.
I often find it odd that people only like one or the other, they both offer amazing viewing, racing, skill, and spectacle. And I feel lucky not to prejudiced either way.
The only thing I have never seen are very basic events such as production car trials, autotests, if there was one down the road I would go and watch, but tot ravel to a very competitor based sport is not something I would do at that level. Also I feel lucky to have been switched on by bike racing at an early age too, so have watched or been involved in most forms there, motocross, enduro, circuits, beach races, The only place I have no been to is the TT, and that is a love/hate relationship with the race itself more than anything.
I often find it odd that people only like one or the other, they both offer amazing viewing, racing, skill, and spectacle. And I feel lucky not to prejudiced either way.
I've been to a few over the years - I was a regular marshal at Croft from 70-81, Olivers Mount 71-76 and one-off marshalling at Carnaby, Elvington, East Fortune and Silloth.
Spectating-wise, I've been to most of the mainland circuits except Brands and Castle Combe and done trackdays on two or four wheels at Croft, Mallory, Donington and Cadwell.
Never been to the Isle of Man, despite being a lifelong motorcyclist but have been to Ireland for the Ulster, NW200 and Skerries.
Anyone mentioned Charterhall yet - I've been there but can't remember if it was bikes or a rally stage; it was an awful long time ago!
EDIT: ...and don't forget Barbon Manor hillclimb - a lovely little venue.
Spectating-wise, I've been to most of the mainland circuits except Brands and Castle Combe and done trackdays on two or four wheels at Croft, Mallory, Donington and Cadwell.
Never been to the Isle of Man, despite being a lifelong motorcyclist but have been to Ireland for the Ulster, NW200 and Skerries.
Anyone mentioned Charterhall yet - I've been there but can't remember if it was bikes or a rally stage; it was an awful long time ago!
EDIT: ...and don't forget Barbon Manor hillclimb - a lovely little venue.
Edited by littleredrooster on Tuesday 10th January 11:35
greeny12 said:
My very first live motorsport experience was going with my dad to the motorcycle scrambling at Herringfleet Hills in Norfolk, which is part of the Somerleyton Estate. That's where it all started, but sadly the bikes haven't been heard around there for many a decade...
Mine was either Brands Hatch when it was a grass track or Stokenchurch grass track races in a farmer's hillside field. If it was Brands I must have been very young indeed as it was surfaced in 1950Stokenchurch
Edited by motco on Tuesday 10th January 11:54
OP needs to investigate the world of trials too, following the Exeter or Lands End trial is great fun and the atmosphere on Simms Hill is brilliant.
Hillclimbing venues like Shelsley and Prescott aren’t going anyway but there is no better place to be on a summers day.
Places are disappearing as noise regulations get tighter and housing is built on previously designated brown/green belt land but visiting venues and experiencing all things motorsport is a great idea. This is a great book and worth buying, you’ll find a few local wherever you are and some long forgotten sites UK Motorsport Explorer
Hillclimbing venues like Shelsley and Prescott aren’t going anyway but there is no better place to be on a summers day.
Places are disappearing as noise regulations get tighter and housing is built on previously designated brown/green belt land but visiting venues and experiencing all things motorsport is a great idea. This is a great book and worth buying, you’ll find a few local wherever you are and some long forgotten sites UK Motorsport Explorer
Motocross has suffered a lot in recent years, I know of a few tracks that have closed mainly from Covid and then when trying to get back running the nimbies complained and the lack of interest made them suffer, it is tough.
The main issue with tracks as we know is noise, and in some area can also be bad driving and people driving like morons. But mainly noise. For the tracks it is making money which is why a lot of them are so into track days, very little outlay needed, very few boxes to tick, potential to break even and make money easier without needing to worry about those annoying spectators and the insurance that goes with it.
Noise has to be very well policed, not just token gesture stuff, I follow short oval racing and a lot of cars in the bigger classes are running almost wide open pipes, and you are at the track and can see houses in your vision, it really would not take much to make them run better silencers, yes they would not sound as good, and in some cases it might not matter, but why push the limits?
I do not see an issue with venues dying, more the sport dying due to lack of interest. Track days will die off once we are all supposedly in EV's. So the interest will die a bit too
The main issue with tracks as we know is noise, and in some area can also be bad driving and people driving like morons. But mainly noise. For the tracks it is making money which is why a lot of them are so into track days, very little outlay needed, very few boxes to tick, potential to break even and make money easier without needing to worry about those annoying spectators and the insurance that goes with it.
Noise has to be very well policed, not just token gesture stuff, I follow short oval racing and a lot of cars in the bigger classes are running almost wide open pipes, and you are at the track and can see houses in your vision, it really would not take much to make them run better silencers, yes they would not sound as good, and in some cases it might not matter, but why push the limits?
I do not see an issue with venues dying, more the sport dying due to lack of interest. Track days will die off once we are all supposedly in EV's. So the interest will die a bit too
I must admit that we can be our own worst enemies at times. I have seen appalling , dangerous driving at the exit of cars and coffee meetings and once endured being stuck in a queue for Japfest while I was en route to another event at the circuit. It is 7am Sunday , so why is it clever to bounce your GTR off the rev limiter and playing banging tunes while stationary outside private homes? FFS .
coppice said:
I must admit that we can be our own worst enemies at times. I have seen appalling , dangerous driving at the exit of cars and coffee meetings and once endured being stuck in a queue for Japfest while I was en route to another event at the circuit. It is 7am Sunday , so why is it clever to bounce your GTR off the rev limiter and playing banging tunes while stationary outside private homes? FFS .
I grew up 3 miles away from Santa Pod and even as an enthusiast car guy, it drives me mad how people behave en route.pablo said:
OP needs to investigate the world of trials too, following the Exeter or Lands End trial is great fun and the atmosphere on Simms Hill is brilliant.
Hillclimbing venues like Shelsley and Prescott aren’t going anyway but there is no better place to be on a summers day.
Places are disappearing as noise regulations get tighter and housing is built on previously designated brown/green belt land but visiting venues and experiencing all things motorsport is a great idea. This is a great book and worth buying, you’ll find a few local wherever you are and some long forgotten sites UK Motorsport Explorer
I got that book a while ago and a recent revisit was part of the reason I posted this thread.Hillclimbing venues like Shelsley and Prescott aren’t going anyway but there is no better place to be on a summers day.
Places are disappearing as noise regulations get tighter and housing is built on previously designated brown/green belt land but visiting venues and experiencing all things motorsport is a great idea. This is a great book and worth buying, you’ll find a few local wherever you are and some long forgotten sites UK Motorsport Explorer
Not sure about trials but I’ll have a look. A hillclimb is a definite though.
I too have been set in a queue on the A43 going somewhere because of some car show, but we cannot complaint, it is just as bad if you are in and around and I am talking 20 miles of Crapperstone when the F1 is on, it is just a case of behaving like the locals do at Glastonbury or RIAT, just go somewhere out the way, I will be working at the damn place aswell this year so Lord knows. Will be just taking time off I think.
The thing is, these car shows rake in big numbers, but these guys are not really interested in racing, perhaps because the cars they like are not represented? Or is it simply that racing is not on the radar.
I know for a fact when my Dad was plod, in one area that was quiet other than a BSB weekend, they made a ton of money with mobile guns and inspections, more than months put together.
I would guess if you stuck plod on the slip roads in and around Silverstone you would make a fortune in fines. But I think they approach it fairly low key and respectfully.
The thing is, these car shows rake in big numbers, but these guys are not really interested in racing, perhaps because the cars they like are not represented? Or is it simply that racing is not on the radar.
I know for a fact when my Dad was plod, in one area that was quiet other than a BSB weekend, they made a ton of money with mobile guns and inspections, more than months put together.
I would guess if you stuck plod on the slip roads in and around Silverstone you would make a fortune in fines. But I think they approach it fairly low key and respectfully.
littleredrooster said:
I've been to a few over the years - I was a regular marshal at Croft from 70-81, Olivers Mount 71-76 and one-off marshalling at Carnaby, Elvington, East Fortune and Silloth.
Spectating-wise, I've been to most of the mainland circuits except Brands and Castle Combe and done trackdays on two or four wheels at Croft, Mallory, Donington and Cadwell.
Never been to the Isle of Man, despite being a lifelong motorcyclist but have been to Ireland for the Ulster, NW200 and Skerries.
Anyone mentioned Charterhall yet - I've been there but can't remember if it was bikes or a rally stage; it was an awful long time ago!
EDIT: ...and don't forget Barbon Manor hillclimb - a lovely little venue.
Agree regarding Barbon, lovely place.Spectating-wise, I've been to most of the mainland circuits except Brands and Castle Combe and done trackdays on two or four wheels at Croft, Mallory, Donington and Cadwell.
Never been to the Isle of Man, despite being a lifelong motorcyclist but have been to Ireland for the Ulster, NW200 and Skerries.
Anyone mentioned Charterhall yet - I've been there but can't remember if it was bikes or a rally stage; it was an awful long time ago!
EDIT: ...and don't forget Barbon Manor hillclimb - a lovely little venue.
Edited by littleredrooster on Tuesday 10th January 11:35
greeny12 said:
My very first live motorsport experience was going with my dad to the motorcycle scrambling at Herringfleet Hills in Norfolk, which is part of the Somerleyton Estate. That's where it all started, but sadly the bikes haven't been heard around there for many a decade...
Spent many a Sunday at Herringfleet Hill, as you say shame it is no moreDynion Araf Uchaf said:
RichB said:
Which airfield is this, the layout of the hangers makes it resemble Bicester but I don't think it is.
Linton on Ouse
Chunkychucky said:
Close, former site of RAF Topcliffe - pretty much the same thing except from what I can ascertain Topcliffe is not used anymore. Perimeter roads/runway look tidy from Google Earth view too
I live about ten minutes from RAF Topcliffe. It has never been used for racing per se , but was used for sprints between 1967 and 1973. And - fun fact alert , it was the scene of a well documented UFO sighting by an RAF officer in 1952 . It was often used by Tucano training aircraft from Linton on Ouse until its recent closure. The air ambulance is based there and the residential part of the site is army occupied - Alanbrooke Barracks . coppice said:
I live about ten minutes from RAF Topcliffe. It has never been used for racing per se , but was used for sprints between 1967 and 1973. And - fun fact alert , it was the scene of a well documented UFO sighting by an RAF officer in 1952 . It was often used by Tucano training aircraft from Linton on Ouse until its recent closure. The air ambulance is based there and the residential part of the site is army occupied - Alanbrooke Barracks .
Ooh interesting, didn't know it had been used for sprints previously! Good info to know, cheers 
Was speaking to senior folk at MSUK today at the Autosport show. Their venue review program has engaged with the MOD to create a single point of contact, T&Cs, and pricing structure. To aid generally communication with the MOD MSUK and motor clubs. The take out was that the MOD are very happy to hire out any of their venues, however we as hirers have to understand that there could be short term cancellations due to war etc.
So fundamentally, Topcliffe, Linton et al are eminently hire able for motorsport use. most likely sprints, autotest and maybe rallies and track days.
However I wonder if it is possible to create a temporary race circuit at one of these venue that could be licenced to hold races…?
So fundamentally, Topcliffe, Linton et al are eminently hire able for motorsport use. most likely sprints, autotest and maybe rallies and track days.
However I wonder if it is possible to create a temporary race circuit at one of these venue that could be licenced to hold races…?
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