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British circuits that never happened


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#101 Stephen W

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Posted 29 March 2012 - 13:51

Rallies, not being races or speed tests, are permitted on public roads. Even special stage rallies use the travel from stage to stage on public roads as part of the event.


All speed limits etc are still in force unless as in Scotland there is an act of parliament which allows for the suspension of the Road Traffic Act during the running of the rallies.

:wave:

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#102 David Lawson

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Posted 29 March 2012 - 14:38

Curiously this sign is on the A27 east of Chichester and it's not an old sign as the road is a dual carraigeway.


I would guess that possibly it could be travellers in that area who race those little horse drawn buggies on the public road.

We get them in the part of Essex where I live and the traffic congestion behind them has to be seen to be believed.

David

#103 nicanary

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Posted 29 March 2012 - 14:55

I would guess that possibly it could be travellers in that area who race those little horse drawn buggies on the public road.

We get them in the part of Essex where I live and the traffic congestion behind them has to be seen to be believed.

David


These are Trotting Races. Quite why the travellers don't use the numerous permanent trotting tracks around the country is beyond me. Something to do with tradition, I suppose.

#104 Geoff E

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Posted 30 March 2012 - 21:48

A (now deceased) former workmate of mine had a trophy won by his father (Stanley Careless, 1901-68) which he claimed was the last race/speed event on a public road in England. I seem to recall it was something like the Hereford Speed Trial 1923 and SC had been on a motor bike. My recollection is near enough correct, I can't guarantee the accuracy of what I was told. :)

#105 Vitesse2

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Posted 30 March 2012 - 22:12

A (now deceased) former workmate of mine had a trophy won by his father (Stanley Careless, 1901-68) which he claimed was the last race/speed event on a public road in England. I seem to recall it was something like the Hereford Speed Trial 1923 and SC had been on a motor bike. My recollection is near enough correct, I can't guarantee the accuracy of what I was told. :)

Incidentally, Nicholson notes that there were two events held after Kop - both on April 4th - at Hereford and Tavistock ...

The Hereford meeting was a sprint organised by the ACU Western Section on a half-mile stretch of Whitecross Road, AKA the A438. Nicholson gives only the FTD for the car classes (F Taylor (Bugatti)), but not the bikes.

#106 Geoff E

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Posted 30 March 2012 - 22:21

Thanks Richard, I confess I had missed your earlier post. :| I was just recounting something that came to mind.

#107 mike faloon

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Posted 03 April 2012 - 09:19

Concerning Anglesey Circuit, the original circuit did follow the Army camp roadways, complete with kerbs, grids and a short section of what appeared to be narrow gauge rail track in one place. This was gradually upgraded over time before being re-placed by the new circuit which I am sure does not use any of the original circuit, does this qualify Anglesey to be a 'new circuit'?

#108 Stephen W

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Posted 04 April 2012 - 08:47

Concerning Anglesey Circuit, the original circuit did follow the Army camp roadways, complete with kerbs, grids and a short section of what appeared to be narrow gauge rail track in one place. This was gradually upgraded over time before being re-placed by the new circuit which I am sure does not use any of the original circuit, does this qualify Anglesey to be a 'new circuit'?


I believe that you are right, all of the new ARC track is on virgin ground with all the old bits either part of the pit lane or spectator access roads.

:wave:

#109 Rupertlt1

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Posted 21 January 2022 - 19:13

Bulstrode Park, near Gerrards Cross, proposed late 1953.

Includes track map.

Autocar, 25 December, 1953, Pages 995, 996

 

RGDS RLT


Edited by Rupertlt1, 22 January 2022 - 05:07.


#110 Geoff E

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Posted 22 January 2022 - 09:27

A (now deceased) former workmate of mine had a trophy won by his father (Stanley Careless, 1901-68) which he claimed was the last race/speed event on a public road in England. I seem to recall it was something like the Hereford Speed Trial 1923 and SC had been on a motor bike. My recollection is near enough correct, I can't guarantee the accuracy of what I was told. :)

 

The Gloucester Echo of 8 April 1925 concludes its report with,

 

"... and S.C. Careless, the Leckhampton lad, on winning the Amateur Class on his fine Sunbeam."

 

Fastest time for the half-mile course was said to have been 19 seconds (94.5 mph), so I'm guessing it was a flying start speed trial.

 

FTD was by I.P. Riddoch of Reigate (1898-1972) on a 998cc Zenith.  He also won the sidecar class in 24.2 seconds.

 

The venue was "on the Hay-road at Whitecross, Hereford".

 

EDIT: Map reference https://maps.nls.uk/...8&right=BingHyb


Edited by Geoff E, 22 January 2022 - 09:31.


#111 Jon Saltinstall

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Posted 02 June 2022 - 22:24

I recall reading that when the RAC was considering sites for its first British Grand Prix in 1948, before finally deciding on Silverstone, one of the sites looked at was the former airfield at Drakelow near Burton-on-Trent. A power station was later built on the site, though this has now been demolished.