Was North Weald ever used as a track?

ECW Dan Selby · 20 May 2009, 13:44 (Ref:2465713)

It's all in the title

Thanks in advance,

Selby

m1fcf · 20 May 2009, 14:02 (Ref:2465722)

from http://www.northwealdairfield.org/History/history.html

Quote:

However, apart from aviation, North Weald has developed into to be a base for many activities, including the regular Saturday Market (the UK's biggest) a range of sports such as cycling, archery, gymnastics, model aircraft flying, model car racing and varies motorsports. It is also the venue for rallies and concerts. See the activities section for more details.

and the Activities page does show a few motorsport activities - towards the bottom of the page.

Rob29 · 20 May 2009, 16:04 (Ref:2465773)

Went to a sprint there about 1961.Since then a few airshows-not since they closed the Central Line Epping- Ongar section I think.

Suze · 20 May 2009, 21:17 (Ref:2465984)

I go there a few times a year for sprinting and an autosolo - they do lots of "car days" there - not sure what they are exactly but think a friend went for some sort of car handling / trackday like thing. Was last there at the beginning of April, is cool to compete and see a spitfire flying by

I've never heard any mention of it being used as a track but it would be well before my time I expect! Out of interest, why do you ask?

kipper · 20 May 2009, 21:36 (Ref:2466007)

I don't think so - certainly, it isn't listed in Peter Swinger's book 'Motor Racing Circuits in England: Then and Now'.

GORDON STREETER · 20 May 2009, 23:11 (Ref:2466065)

Most of the old airfields were used to race cars or bikes around the perimeter roads normally by the airforce/army guys living there. And as we know several carried on and ran proper races and still do today. I have never heard or read about any open races organised at North Weald so the answer is probably no.

Rob29 · 21 May 2009, 06:51 (Ref:2466169)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kipper

I don't think so - certainly, it isn't listed in Peter Swinger's book 'Motor Racing Circuits in England: Then and Now'.

Depends how you interpret the original question

Does not seem to have been used for a circuit race meeting for cars.I think it might have been used for bikes,but maybe I was thinking of Biggin Hill? Sprints eg: one at a time, it seems are still held.

Al Weyman · 21 May 2009, 07:13 (Ref:2466181)

They have also had drag races there. Would'nt it be wonderful if it was used as a circuit so close to London, such a waste. Actually talking about racing around old airfields, in my yoof a whole gang of us used to race our motorcyles around the perimeter road and down the main runway of Hendon Aerodrome now sadly Graham Park Estate and the RAF Museum, man that was fun especially with a sidecar outfit!

RAP · 21 May 2009, 12:30 (Ref:2466388)

According to Mick Walker's book it was used once for motor cycle racing 27 June 1946. 3.2 miles using perimeter. Harold Daniell wo the main race.
RAP

ECW Dan Selby · 22 May 2009, 07:59 (Ref:2466903)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

I go there a few times a year for sprinting and an autosolo - they do lots of "car days" there - not sure what they are exactly but think a friend went for some sort of car handling / trackday like thing. Was last there at the beginning of April, is cool to compete and see a spitfire flying by

I've never heard any mention of it being used as a track but it would be well before my time I expect! Out of interest, why do you ask?

I saw it mentioned in another topic, and I happen to live about 10 minutes away from it

It was purely just out of interest..

And thank you, RAP!

Selby

graeme · 22 May 2009, 09:32 (Ref:2466955)

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAP

According to Mick Walker's book it was used once for motor cycle racing 27 June 1946. 3.2 miles using perimeter. Harold Daniell wo the main race.
RAP

Thanks for the heads up on the book (British Motorcycle Racing Circuits Since 1907: England, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland) - I'm more a car racing person, but this sounds really interesting.

ECW Dan Selby · 22 May 2009, 09:36 (Ref:2466960)

I'd love to find out a bit more!

Selby

GBRM · 30 May 2009, 13:23 (Ref:2472167)

Following on from Al's post; wasn't North Weald the location of the first ever drag race in the UK

graeme · 31 May 2009, 08:37 (Ref:2472497)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

I'd love to find out a bit more!

Selby

Used once for motorbike racing in June 1946. The circuit was a big irregular cross, 3.2 miles long - imagine racing down each side of the cross on the Swiss flag. If you want any more, buy the excellent Walker book!

jamesholland · 1 Jun 2009, 15:25 (Ref:2473436)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBRM

Following on from Al's post; wasn't North Weald the location of the first ever drag race in the UK

I thought it was held at Blackbushe

Gnomex · 5 Jun 2009, 19:27 (Ref:2476142)

I certainly remember going to marshal a couple of rallycross events there (probably in the early 80's?). One was held in the snow and I seem to recall a rear engined NSU doing quite well! I think I saw a Ford RS200 there (Gary Baker's?) at one of the events.

**ghinzani** · 10 Jun 2009, 08:19 (Ref:2478969)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob29

Went to a sprint there about 1961.Since then a few airshows-not since they closed the Central Line Epping- Ongar section I think.

off topic... that line runs down the end of some family friends garden in Coopersale, apparently its been re-opened for a Heritage Railway, but its a deisel one not steam, which is a nice change of pace.

Carry on!

GBRM · 10 Jun 2009, 08:30 (Ref:2478971)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesholland

I thought it was held at Blackbushe

My mistake, I understand it was actually Woodvale in Southport and not North Weald, apologies!!

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