Cadwell Park
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| Location | Lincolnshire, England |
|---|---|
| Major events | BRSCC races |
| Full Circuit | |
| Length | 3.477 km (2.173 mi) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Club Circuit | |
| Length | 2.370 km (1.481 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Woodland Circuit | |
| Length | 1.139 km (0.712 mi) |
| Turns | 5 |
Cadwell Park is a motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, 5 miles (8 km) south of Louth.[1] It is owned and operated by Jonathan Palmer's Motorsport Vision company.[2]
It is sited across a steep-sided valley, giving rise to dips and crests. The circuit features sharp changes in gradient, including one section called The Mountain where bikes can become airborne by up to several feet. Its mix of challenging corners has led to its nickname as the Mini-Nürburgring.[3][4]
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[edit] History of Cadwell Park
Located in the Lincolnshire Wolds, 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.
In 1953 the track was lengthened to 1.3 miles (2.1 km), upon the invitation of the 500 cc motorcycle-engined Formula 3 to race in a traditional bike meeting. Around 30,000 spectators attended that particular race.
The original track grew to the current 2.25 miles (3.62 km) layout in 1962 and hosted the British F3 series the next May. Some of the bends are named after family members e.g. Mansfield, Charlie and Chris.
[edit] Racing usage
Cadwell is now considered too narrow for high level car races, although Club motorsport associations such as the BARC and 750MC still hold meetings.
Competitively, it is primarily used for motorcycle racing, with the Bennetts British Superbike Championship round being the most popular event on the circuit's calendar, taking place on August Bank Holiday weekend each year.[5][6] In 2010, for the first time, it will host an additional BSB meeting on the weekend of 22/23 May.
[edit] Other usage
Several tests and feature clips for the motoring program Fifth Gear have been filmed here. They frequently feature racing driver Tiff Needell.
In April 2009, musician and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason flew into the circuit by helicopter to drive his £1.5million Ferrari 512.[7]
During the 1960s and 1970s, stock car racing drew big crowds to Cadwell. The gradient changes added excitement to the racing, as stock car drivers were accustomed to racing on flat 400-yard oval tracks of shale-grit or concrete; and likewise their cars' suspensions and gearing were set up for short flat ovals.
[edit] Current events
In addition to the August Bank Holiday round of the British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park also hosts two major historic events with the Vintage Sports Car Club’s annual festival and the new Easter Wolds Trophy covering the post-war period.
The Superkart British Grand Prix is held at the circuit, with the popular Modified Live event also on the calendar.
During the week the circuit offers some general test days and driving experiences, and can also be hired out for private testing and track days.
[edit] Lap Records
| Car Lap Records | ||
| Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Mitcham | Jedi MK6 | 1:21.138 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Leon Haslam | Ducati 999 | 1:26.654 |
| John Simpson | Triumph Daytona 675 | 1:33.67 |
| Andrew Bennet | Suzuki GSXR1000 | 1:37.5 |
| Steve Lake | Yamaha R1 | 1:37.9 |
| Superkart Lap Record | ||
| Carl Hume | Anderson/FPE | 1:22.27 |
[edit] References
- ^ You spin me round - Daily Telegraph
- ^ Palmer hails 'biggest' cadwell park crowd - Grimsby Telegraph
- ^ Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire - NG Road Racing
- ^ Cadwell Park - British Superbikes official website
- ^ Rea is sixth on Cadwell Park grid - BBC Sport Online
- ^ Rea claims win at Cadwell Park - BBC Sport Online
- ^ Pink Floyd's Nick Mason at Cadwell Park on Wednesday - Louth Leader
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cadwell Park |
- Motorsport Vision: Cadwell Park
- Radical SR8 smashes Cadwell Park Fastest Lap
- A lap of Cadwell Park (video)
Coordinates: 53°18′32″N 0°3′47″W / 53.30889°N 0.06306°W
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