Cadwell Park

Cadwell Park is a motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, 5 miles (8 km) south of Louth[1] owned and operated by MotorSport Vision, a business associated with former racing driver Jonathan Palmer.[2] Sited on former parkland across a steep-sided valley with 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]

Cadwell Park
LocationLincolnshire, England
Major eventsBRSCC races
British Superbike Championship
Full Circuit
Length3.477 km (2.173 mi)
Turns18
Club Circuit
Length2.370 km (1.481 mi)
Turns7
Woodland Circuit
Length1.139 km (0.712 mi)
Turns5

History
Cadwell Park shown within Lincolnshire
(grid reference TF293810)

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.

Originally the gravel-drives of the country estate measured 3/4 miles, with tarmac and concrete being added in 1938, with widening and lengthening in 1953, and lengthened again in 1961 with the addition of the Donington Curve.[5]

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.

Josh Brookes aviating on a Milwaukee Yamaha British Superbike at The Mountain in 2014

The 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.

One of the biggest developments in the circuit's history occurred in January 2004, when Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision company completed the purchase of Cadwell Park and the other Octagon venues (Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, and Snetterton).[6] Palmer immediately implemented a programme of improvements to the venue, designed to heighten customer experiences both for spectators and competitors.

Racing usage

Cadwell is now considered too narrow for high level car races, although Club motorsport associations such as the BARC, HSCC and 750MC still hold meetings.

Competitively, it is primarily used for motorcycle racing, with the British Superbike Championship round being the biggest event on the circuit's calendar, held during an August weekend each year.[7][8] In 2010, it hosted an additional BSB meeting on the weekend of 22/23 May.

Current events

In addition to the August 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 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.

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.[9]

In June 2015 the circuit was used as part of the course for pedal-cycling's British National Time Trial Championships.[10]

Some racing scenes for the 2013 film Rush were filmed at Cadwell Park.[11]

Stock Car Racing

During the 1960s and 1970s, BriSCA Formula 1 Stock Cars attracted 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 or tarmac; and likewise their cars' suspensions and gearing were set up for short flat ovals.

  • View from Hall Bends, looking towards Coppice
  • Chris Curve
  • Hall Bends

Lap records
Car Lap Records
Driver Car Time
Richard MitchamJedi MK61:21.138
Jeremy TimmsDallara F301-Suzuki (Monoposto Mono1400)1:21.979[12]
Shaun BalfeRadical SR81:22.50
Tim GraySpire GT3 (750MC Bikesports)1:22.82
Enrique MansillaMonoposto F31:23.572[13]
Robin LiddellRadical Prosport1:25.49
Bruce Winfield Mitsubishi Evo IX(MG AUTO MOTORSPORT) 1:25.636[14]
Lee AtkinsRadical SR41:29.04
Russ StephensRadical Clubsport1:29.36
Motorcycle Lap Records
Rider Bike Time
Shane ByrneKawasaki ZX-10R1:26.017
Superkart Lap Record
Liam MorleyAnderson/DEA1:21.78

References
  1. Baker, Erin (31 March 2007). "You spin me round". telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  2. Contact Us, Cadwell Park at MotorSport Vision Limited Retrieved 11 August 2015
  3. Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire Archived 3 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine - NG Road Racing
  4. Cadwell Park - British Superbikes official website Archived 23 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Britain's Top Circuits, race circuit guide, 1966 hard copy (free supplement with Motor Cycle), Accessed 2 May 2015
  6. "Palmer buys four British tracks". bbc.co.uk.
  7. "Rea is sixth on Cadwell Park grid". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 27 August 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  8. "Rea claims win at Cadwell Park". BBC. 27 August 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  9. Pink Floyd's Nick Mason at Cadwell Park on Wednesday - Louth Leader
  10. Allen, Eddie (25 June 2015). "Dowsett, Simmonds and Davies take British time trial titles". British Cycling. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  11. http://www.louthleader.co.uk/news/rush-scenes-filmed-at-cadwell-park-1-5461541
  12. Monoposto Racing Club - Moto Mono 1400
  13. Monoposto Racing Club - Mono F3/
  14. https://www.timeattack.co.uk/cadwell-park-round2-fastest-times-pro-classes/#sthash.3lR4ypCW.dpbs

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