Davidstow Circuit
1953-1955 Track Layout
|
|
| Location | Cornwall, UK |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°38′20″N 4°37′05″W / 50.639°N 4.618°WCoordinates: 50°38′20″N 4°37′05″W / 50.639°N 4.618°W |
| Opened | 1952 |
| Closed | 1955 |
| Major events | F1 |
| 1952 Circuit | |
| Length | 4.2 km (2.6 mi) |
| Lap record | (Leslie Marr, F1, Connaught-Alta B3 (89.88mph), 1955) |
| 1953-1955 Circuit | |
| Length | 3.1 km (1.9 mi) |
Davidstow Circuit is a disused motor racing circuit and airfield built in Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. The circuit was built on the site of a World War II RAF Coastal Command base, RAF Davidstow Moor, opened in 1942. Davidstow circuit opened in 1952, and held three Formula 1 races between 1954 and 1955. The circuit hosted its last race in 1955, and was one of many of Britain's airfields to be transformed into motor racing venues. Davidstow circuit is notable for the first victory in a Formula One race by a Lotus.
The original track layout of Davidstow circuit was used in 1952 and contained three corners; most drivers thought that this layout was not very challenging. The track was 4.2 km (2.6 mi) long and used the main runways of RAF Davidstow Moor.
The layout of Davidstow Circuit was changed for 1953. This layout was kept for 1954 and 1955 as well. The new layout contained a chicane before the first corner and was considerably shorter. This layout cut out the end of the original layout, which meant that this layout was only 3.1 km (1.9 mi) long. The start/finish straight remained in the same place on this layout.
Motor racing commenced on 9 August 1952 when three races were run over the 2.6 mile circuit; from 1953, the shorter 1.85 mile circuit was used.
Sadly, the racing history of Davidstow can be counted in the number of races run – a grand total of 44. The first race meetings were organised by the Cornish Vintage Car Club – itself only founded in 1949 – and by the Plymouth Motor Club which was formed in 1908. When the racing arrived so did the rain. The preceding few days had seen members of the promoting clubs labouring in torrential rain to prepare the track and facilities and as race day dawned there was no let-up in the weather. Despite this the expected crowd of 800 had been surpassed when 3,000 arrived. It has been a truly appalling day weather-wise but everyone enjoyed themselves.
If Davidstow had one clear advantage over other circuits it was that there was a distinct absence of complaining populace. Two meetings were planned for 1953, on the Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday and on 1 August. The Bank Holiday dawned over Cornwall as a lovely summer's day and a crowd of 20,000 was hoped for, but this being Bodmin Moor it was blanketed in fog. After sheep were cleared from the bank straight, the weather had improved sufficiently to allow the drivers to have their statutory three laps of practice. So Davidstow’s first race commenced (as opposed to speed trails and relay races) over five laps for the first heat of the sports car race up to 1,500 cc. It was won by M.G. Llewellyn in an MG TD. After more fog related problems, Davidstow witnessed its first race for real racing cars – Formula Three over 20 laps. Two Kiefts won from two Coopers, Paulson and Westcott leading home Nurse and Piers. The winner’s average speed was 71.53 mph, with the fastest lap being shared between three drivers at 73.9 mph.
...
Wikipedia