Cadwell Park
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Cadwell Park is a large motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, 5 miles south of Louth. It is sited across a steep sided valley, giving rise to dips and crests. The sharp changes in gradient on the circuit (including one section called The mountain) make a circuit that is exciting for spectators and drivers alike, especially when compared to many of the flat airfield-based circuits such as Snetterton and Thruxton. Known throughout motorsport as a "driver's circuit", Cadwell Park is not just "naturally challenging" but a difficult mix of corners and cambers that test the real level of driver ability. Best spectator spots to see how drivers can tame Cadwell include "the Mountain" and "the Gooseneck" Corners, whereas Park and Copse Corners provide excellent viewing of late braking and "red mist" overtaking.
The track is nicknamed the Mini-Nürburgring
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[edit] History of Cadwell Park
Set in the rolling Lincolnshire countryside, Cadwell Park was established in 1934 by Mr Mansfield Wilkinson of Louth. His sons originally used the land for racing their own motorbikes against each other and this evolved into the circuit which it is today. The length of the track, nicknamed the 'mini Nurburgring', almost doubled to 1.3 miles in 1953, when the ascendant 500cc motorcycle-engined Formula 3 class was invited to race in a traditional bike meeting. Reg Spreckley thus became the track's first car race winner in his Cooper. Some 30,000 spectators were said to have watched the meeting.
The original track, with its fearsome and photogenic Mountain feature, grew to its current 2.25-mile layout in 1962 and hosted the British F3 series the following May. It has three configurations – the rarely used Woodlands circuit, the short Club circuit, and the splendid, daunting Full circuit. Some of the names of bends on the circuit are named after family members; Mansfield, Charlie, Chris etc...
The circuit is favoured by many of the British Superbike riders who enjoy but respect the challenge that they face at Cadwell.
In the past, the venue has held rounds of the British F3 and British Saloon Car Championships, but it is considered too narrow and therefore, dangerous for high level car meetings. Club motorsport still use the track, and meetings held by the BARC, 750MC and the Bennetts British Superbike Champsionship are highlights on the circuit's calendar.
Cadwell Park is now owned and operated by Jonathan Palmer's Motorsport Vision company.
[edit] Circuit Statistics
- Full Circuit
Length: 2.173 miles (3.4768 km)
Direction: Clockwise
Corners: 11
- Club Circuit
Length: 1.481 miles (2.3696 km)
Direction: Clockwise
Corners: 7
- Woodlands Circuit
Length: 0.712 miles (1.1392 km)
Direction: Clockwise
Corners: 5
[edit] Lap Records
| Car Lap Records | ||
| Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shaun Balfe | Radical SR8 | 1:22.50 |
| Stuart Moseley | Radical SR3 | 1:23.37 |
| Robin Liddell | Radical Prosport | 1:25.49 |
| Lee Atkins | Radical SR4 | 1:29.04 |
| Russ Stephens | Radical Clubsport | 1:29.36 |
| Motorcycle Lap Records | ||
| Rider | Bike | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Bennet | Suzuki GSXR1000 | 1:37.5 |
| Steve Lake | Yamaha R1 | 1:37.9 |
| Brian Wood | Honda CBR600RR | 1:38.0 |
[edit] Circuit Map
[edit] Location
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[edit] External links
| British motor racing circuits |
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| Anglesey - Brands Hatch - Cadwell Park - Castle Combe - Croft - Donington Park - Goodwood - Knockhill - Lydden - Mallory Park - Oulton Park - Pembrey - Rockingham - Silverstone - Snetterton - Thruxton |
