~ Sprint & Hillclimb Track Guide ~
A Listing of some of the more Popular Sprint and Hillclimb Tracks available in the UK with a short Guide.
Most of these are used in the WSCC Sprint Series
There is no getting away from the fact that the Westfield Sporstcar is a Racing Car. Whether it be Sprinting or Club Sport it's primary design role was to be a lightweight Racer.
So with that in mind, I aim to put mine through it's paces one day on the WSCC Sprint Series but there are so many tracks available (not only in the Speed Series), I don't know them apart? Which one best suites beginners, which are fast, which are hillclimbs, how long are they and how do you drive them.
Hopefully this quick guide will give you a little insight of quite a few tracks with a Video and a quick guide from somebody who has driven each of them to try and give you some idea of what it's like.
Another site to visit if you need to know more about the Speed Series i.e. Clothing, Regulations etc, would be the WSCC
All the WSCC Speed Series tracks are highlighted in RED.
I have given each track an "®" rating as follows:
® = Easy
®®®®® = Hard
I hope this helps you not only get into Racing (Especially the Speed Series) but gives you some idea of what each track involves and how best to tackle it from a beginners/Novices point of view.
List of Tracks
- Aintree - Sprint
- Bentwaters Park - Sprint
- Cadwell Park - Sprint
- Castle Combe - Sprint
- Croft - Sprint
- Curborough - Sprint
- Dimanche - Sprint
- Elvington - Sprint
- Goodwood - Sprint
- Gurston Down - Hillclimb
- Harewood - Hillclimb
- Hethel - Sprint
- Knockhill - Sprint
- Llandow - Sprint
- Llys-y-Fran - Hillclimb
- Loton Park - Hillclimb
- Lydden - Sprint
- Mira - Sprint
- Oliver's Mount - Hillclimb
- North Weald - Sprint
- Pembrey - Sprint
- Shelsley Walsh - Hillclimb
- Thoresby Park - Sprint
- Three Sisters - Sprint
- Ty Croes (Anglesey) - Sprint
- Wiscombe - Hillclimb
Video: - 2 Video's
Length: - 1.148 Miles (1.847 km)
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 0151 7093789
Website: - Aintree Circuit
Location: - Aintree, Melling Road, Liverpool, L9 5AS
GPS: - Lat:53.475 / Long:-2.9524
Google Map
Rating: - ®
Comments: - This is a very wide and flat course with only 3 bends and wide run-offs. This is a Power type of course.
The Start is easy to get to, you should be able to hit 3rd before the 1st bend (Country) unless you have high ratios.
You can get into high gears (4th or top) along the next straight into a fast sweeping right hander.
Next is the fastest part of the track ending in a tight turn into Beecher's bend.
The exit is a bit wider but watch out for the kink, difficult to get right.
Finally down the final straight over the finish line hopefully with a good time!
Not a challenging circuit, however it is well located and finish straight features a top speed board which is always exciting. Sprints are organized by Liverpool Motor Club
Bentwaters Park - Sprint
Video: - 1 Video
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01245 421074
Website: - Borough 19 MC
Location: - Bentwaters Park, Rendlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2TW
GPS: - Lat:52.1257 / Long:1.4114
Google Map
Rating: - ®
Comments: - An airfield circuit with sprints organised by the Borough 19 Motor Club. A good venue for beginners with plenty of run-off for the more exuberant drivers
Video: - 2 Videos
Length: - 1.476 Miles (2.375 km)
Direction: - Clockwise
Telephone: - 0870 850 5014
Website: - Cadwell Park
Location: - The Old Manor House, Cadwell Park Circuit, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9SE
GPS: - Lat: 53.3149 / Long: - 0.0699
Google Map
Rating: - ®®®® (Almost 5)
Comments: - A superb circuit, that appeals to drivers at all levels from Novice through to record breaking experts. Event entry fees are higher than normal at this venue due mainly to the greater hire and running costs involved with such a large venue. Fairly difficult track for novices
Castle Combe - Sprint
Video: - No Videos Yet
Length: - 1.850 Miles (2.977 km)
Direction: - Clockwise
Telephone: - 01249 782417
Website: - Castle Combe Circuit
Location: - Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7EY
GPS: - Lat: 51.4936 / Long: -2.2176
Google Map
Rating: -
Comments: - Open fast flowing circuit, be careful noise is often a problem with local neighbours and their complaints about living next to a race circuit.
Video: - 2 Videos
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01325 721815
Website: - Croft Circuit
Location: - Croft Circuit, Croft on Tees, North Yorkshire, DL2 2PN
GPS: - Lat: 54.4606 / Long:-1.5623
Google Map
Rating: - ®®®
Comments: - Large well known circuit venue with some very technically challenging corners, a fast flat circuit
Video: - 3 Video's
Length: - 0.885 Miles (1.424 km)
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01543 432607
Website: - Curborough Circuit
Location: - Curborough Sprint Circuit, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, Lichfield, Staffs WS13 8EW
GPS: - Lat:52.7127 / Long: -1.80309
Google Map
Rating: - ®®
Comments: - Love it or loathe it, this is one of those circuits. Quite technical and everything must fall into place to achieve a quick time, one corner wrong and your run is over.
Can be slippery when when on this short but twisty circuit. Finishing straight has a speed trap.
Dimanche - Sprint (Rushmoor Arena)
Video: - 1 Video
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01483 770943
Website: - Farnborough & District MC
Location: -
GPS: - Lat:51.26 / Long:-0.7842
Microsoft Live Map
Rating: - ®® (and a half)
Comments: -
Elvington - Sprint
Video: - Requested
Length: - 1.00 Mile (1.609 km)
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01723 373000
Website: - Auto66 Club
Location: - South York
GPS: - Lat: 53.9207 / Long: -0.9868
Google Map
Rating: -
Comments: - An Airfield circuit with a very abrasive surface. This must be one of the most dedicated Sprint circuits in the UK.
Single or double laps are run at this event. You will also need good brakes for the hairpin, going from 100mph to 20mph takes some doing.
Video: - 1 Video
Length: - 2.4 miles (3.862 km )
Direction: - Clockwise
Telephone: -
Website: - Goodwood Circuit
Location: - Goodwood Circuit, Goodwood, Chichester, West Sussex. PO18 0PH
GPS: - Lat: 50.8602 / Long: -0.7512
Google Map
Rating: - ®®®®
Comments: - As sprints go they don't come much better. Fast and flowing with all the history associated with Goodwood makes this a memorable venue for many reasons. This is the fastest circuit in the UK and a quick 7 could complet its 2.4 mile length in around 90 seconds. There are some long runs which can be hard on engines. Good run offs though.
Video: - No Videos yet
Length: -
Direction: -
Telephone: -
Website: - Gurston Down
Location: - Gurston Farm, just ouside Broad Chalke, Nr. Salisbury, Wiltshire.
GPS: -
Google Map
Rating: - ®®®® (Almost 5)
Comments: - One of the oldest and best hillclimbs in the country.
Open and fast with two turns, as seen on "A Race car is born" series.
Video: - 2 Videos
Length: - 0.889 miles (1.448 km)
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01132 886391
Website: - Harewood Hill
Location: - Stockton Farm, Harewood, Leeds, LS17
GPS: - Lat:53.8999 / Long:-1.5118
Google Map
Rating: - ®®®® (Almost 5)
Comments: - A superb hillclimb venue, the longest in the U.K it even has some downhill corners. Technically challenging for all levels of driver experience and ability
Video: - Not Available yet
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01953 608000
Website: - Borough19 Motorclub
Location: - Lotus Cars Limited, Hethel, Norwich,
NR14 8EZ
GPS: - Lat: 52.5616 / Long: 1.18004
Google Map
Rating: - ®®®
Comments: - Lotus Cars very own test facility is licensed for various motorsport events as you would anticipated this circuit is very technical.
It includes lots of sweeping bends and roundabouts, coned chicanes and fast straights with a great smooth surface.
Knockhill - Sprint
Video: - Not Available Yet
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01383-723337
Website: - Knockhill Circuit
Location: - Knockhill Racing Circuit near Dunfermline, Fife. KY12 9TF
GPS: - Lat:56.1314 / Long:-3.509
Microsoft Live Map
Rating: - ®®®®
Comments: - The location of this circuit makes it a long drive for most, however it is a must, even if just the once, an exciting fast and technical venue challenging for all.
Video: - 1 Video
Length: - 0.900 Miles (1.450 km)
Direction: - Either
Telephone: - 01446 796460
Website: - Llandow Circuit
Location: - Llandow Circuit, Llandow, Near Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7PB
GPS: - Lat:51.4373 / Long:-3.50447
Google Map
Rating: - ®® (and a half)
Comments: - A flat sprint circuit with fast straights and fast corners for the brave, be careful this circuit has been known to bite, hard. Well worth a visit.
Video: - Requested
Length: - 0.450 Miles (0.725 km)
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01437 532273
Website: - Swansea Motorclub
Location: - Clarbeston Road, Nr Haverfordwest,
West Wales
GPS: - Lat:51.8863 / Long:-4.8381
Google Map
Rating: - ®®® (and a half)
Comments: - One of the most Westerly events in the heart of West Wales. Spectacular scenery and accommodation is also fairly civilised.
The Hillcimb consists of a Fast straight with a sharp right hander over a river crossing, then a fast right into a quick left (Shellards). A slower right hand corner (Paul Bentley) before you hit a Devil of a left handed hairpin.
Then course then ends up with an 'S' bend through a farm gate, a bit tricky.
The last bend is a 90 degree right which is particularly greasy at the best of times.
Length: - 0.838 Miles (1.349 km)
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01902 896699
Website: - Loton Park
Location: - Loton Park Hillclimb, Loton Park, Alberbury, Nr.Shrewsbury, Shropshire
GPS: - Lat:52.7287 / Long:-2.964
Google Map
Rating: - ®®®®
Comments: - One of the U.K’s top hillclimbs very challenging for all drivers, very well organised by the Hagley & Dist L.C.C. First timers at Loton MUST attend the drivers briefing or you will not be allowed to run.
Video: - 1 Video
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01304-830557
Website: - Lydden Circuit
Location: - Lydden International Motor Racing Circuit, Wooton, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6RX
GPS: - Lat:51.1766 / Long:1.1909
Google Map
Rating: - ®® (and a half)
Comments: - Motor circuit, next stop is France
Video: - Not Available, no filming allowed
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: -
Website: - Mira Circuit
Location: - Motor Industry Research Association MIRA Ltd, Watling Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV10 0TU
GPS: - Lat:52.5537 / Long:-1.4649
Google Map
Rating: - ®® (and a half)
Comments: - Do not take any cameras or camera phones – this circuit is based on the secret test grounds at MIRA.
It's a very abrasive surface, off the start line the course does a complete 180 degree but it's over a large diameter so you just keep your foot nailed to the floor and keep changing up until you come out onto the 'straight'. There is a speed trap positioned before the braking starts for the righthander which is not as tight as first appears so one tip is to try to carry as much speed through as possible.
After that the course is marked with cones which stops you using the fastest lines & then there is a shorter but similar 180 at the bottom before the finish line.
It's not what you would call an attractive course but it's challenging to see how much speed you can carry all the way through.
The entire surface is Delugrip so it's almost impossible to lock a wheel on braking & there won't be much wheelspin either although if you get enough sideways 'G' on it is quite possible to spin out and bugger the bodywork in the lumpy gravel runoff at the final turn.
Video: - Not Available Yet
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: -
Website: - Borough19 Motorclub
Location: - North Weald Airfield, North Weald, Epping, Essex, CM16 6AA
GPS: - Lat:51.7302 / Long: 0.1567
Google Map
Rating: - ®
Comments: - Airfield circuit used alongside a market, recent attempts have been made to close this circuit however with some hard work Borough 19 MC have maintained its motorsport function. A good place for nervous newbies with plenty of run off.
Oliver's Mount - Hillclimb
Video: - Requested
Length: - 0.668 Mile (1.076 Km)
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01273 373000
Website: - Auto66 Club
Location: - Olivers Mount Circuit, Weaponness Lane, Scarborough, East Yorkshire YO11 2YW
GPS: - Lat:54.2601 / Long:-0.4098
Microsoft Live Map
Rating: - ®®®
Comments: - Tight twisty hillclimb with fencing very close. Events are some of the cheapest, however don’t expect too many comforts.
Video: - 1 Video
Length: - ?
Direction: - Either
Telephone: - 01554-891042
Website: - Pembrey Circuit
Location: - BARC (Pembrey) Limited, Pembrey Circuit, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. SA16 0HZ
GPS: - Lat:51.7104 / Long:-4.3039
Google Map
Rating: - ®®® (and a half)
Comments: - Good fast and flat sprint circuit, lines need to be driven well and fast.
Video: - 2 Video's
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: -
Website: - Shelsley Walsh Hill
Location: - Shelsley Walsh, near Shelsley Beauchamp, Worcestershire
GPS: - Lat:52.2703 / Long:-2.4146
Google Map
Rating: - ®®® ® (and a half)
Comments: - The oldest circuit in continuous use, this is an awesome hillclimb in beautiful surroundings.
A beast yet to be tamed, when it goes wrong it can be expensive. Perhaps a hill to enter when a few events are under your belt. Things are organised the “Shelsley Way” go with it, it works well.
Video: - 2 Video's
Length: - 0.643 Mile (1.035 Km)
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01909 484027
Website: - Nottingham Sports Car Club
Location: -
GPS: - Lat:53.2353 / long:-1.0309
Google Map
Rating: - ®®® (and a half)
Comments: - Organised by the Notts SCC this I like a special stage rally with hay bales against the trees an excellent venue, you do need to be self sufficient as paddock facilities are none existent. A unique feature with the Thoresby barrels at chicanes, knocking a tennis ball off a barrel will earn you a 1 second penalty for each ball. Good fun.
Video: - 2 Videos
Length: - 0.681 Miles (1.095km)
Direction: - Clockwise
Telephone: - 01942 270230
Website: - Three Sister Circuit
Location: - Three Sisters Race Circuit,
Three Sisters Road,
Ashton-in-Makerfield,
Wigan,
Lancashire,
WN4 8DD
GPS: - Lat:53.506 / Long:-2.6348
Google Map
Rating: - ®®®
Comments: - A tight and twisty kart circuit that requires concentration and commitment.
Video: - 1 Video
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 01407 840253
Website: - Ty-Croes Circuit
Location: - Circuit, Bodorgan Estate, Anglesey,
LL63 5TF
GPS: - Lat:53.1798 / Long: -4.4169
Rating: - ®®®®® (Anticipated)
Comments: Extensive redevelopment of this venue means that all circuit details are new for 2007. It is anticipated that sprints will use the National Circuit, which features many of the original layouts favourite bends along with some exciting additions
Wiscombe - Hillclimb
Video: - Not Available Yet
Length: - ?
Direction: - N/A
Telephone: - 0125 888 0778
Website: - Wiscombe Hill
Location: - Wiscombe Park, Honiton, Devon EX14 0LL
GPS: - Lat: 50.735 / Long:-3.1481
Google Map
Rating: - ®®(and a half)
Comments: - Tight and twisty hillclimb, much of which is under tree cover and often the circuit remains damp, even on a dry day, off line and you’ll b driving in moss or sheep excrement, keep it on line and it’s as exciting as it can be. No paddock facilities.