| Cadwell Park | |
| Time: | GMT (UTC+0) BST (April–October, UTC+1) |
| Coordinates: | 53.3089°N -0.0631°W |
| Location: | Lincolnshire, England |
| Opened: | 1938 |
| Owner: | MotorSport Vision (January 2004–present) |
| Events: | Current: BSB (1995–2019, 2021–present) Former: British F3 (1954–1955, 1962, 1965, 1970–1972, 1974–1975, 1977–1983) |
| Layout1: | Full Circuit (1961–present) |
| Length Km: | 3.502 |
| Length Mi: | 2.175 |
| Turns: | 18 |
| Record Time: | 1:21.036 |
| Record Driver: | Sam Moss |
| Record Car: | Anderson CSK |
| Record Year: | 2021 |
| Record Class: | Superkart |
| Layout2: | Motorcycle Full Circuit (2004–present) |
| Length Km2: | 3.508 |
| Length Mi2: | 2.180 |
| Turns2: | 19 |
| Record Time2: | 1:25.858 |
| Record Driver2: | Bradley Ray |
| Record Car2: | Yamaha YZF-R1 |
| Record Year2: | 2022 |
| Record Class2: | BSB |
| Layout3: | Club Circuit (1961–present) |
| Length Km3: | 2.375 |
| Length Mi3: | 1.476 |
| Turns3: | 10 |
| Record Time3: | 0:55.400 |
| Record Driver3: | Tony Lanfranchi |
| Record Car3: | Elva Mk VII |
| Record Year3: | 1963 |
| Record Class3: | Sports car |
| Layout4: | Woodlands Circuit (1961–present) |
| Length Km4: | 1.365 |
| Length Mi4: | 0.848 |
| Turns4: | 9 |
| Layout5: | Full Circuit (1952–1960) |
| Length Km5: | 2.012 |
| Length Mi5: | 1.250 |
| Turns5: | 13 |
| Layout6: | Original Circuit (1938–1950) |
| Length Km6: | 1.207 |
| Length Mi6: | 0.750 |
| Turns6: | 7 |
Cadwell Park is a motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, 5miles south of Louth, owned and operated by MotorSport Vision, a business associated with former racing driver Jonathan Palmer.[1] 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.[2] [3]
Located in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Cadwell Park was established in 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 0.75miles, 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.[4]
In 1953 the track was lengthened to 1.25miles, 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.
The track grew to the current 2.175miles 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).[5] Palmer immediately implemented a programme of improvements to the venue, designed to heighten customer experiences both for spectators and competitors.
Competitively, Cadwell Park 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.[6] [7] In 2010, it hosted an additional BSB meeting on the weekend of 22/23 May.
Cadwell Park occasionally features in the British Superkart Championship calendar, having last done so in 2021. A new circuit lap record for any vehicle was set by driver Sam Moss in that year.
The circuit's track width is now generally considered too narrow for high level car races, although Club motorsport associations such as the BARC, HSCC and 750MC still hold meetings.
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 Vintage Motorcycle Club is a regular visitor, with the popular Modified Live car show event also on the calendar. The Cadwell Park season typically ends with stage rallying and fireworks.
During the week the circuit offers general test days and track days for cars and motorcycles, and can also be hired out for private use.
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 £1.5 million Ferrari 512.[8]
In June 2015 the circuit was used as part of the course for pedal-cycling's British National Time Trial Championships.[9]
Some racing scenes for the 2013 film Rush were filmed at Cadwell Park.[10]
Top Gear used the circuit for a feature, aired in 2020, featuring former Formula One driver Damon Hill pitted against the regular Top Gear presenters, testing a Porsche, Aston Martin and Ferrari.[11]
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 400yard oval tracks of shale or tarmac; and likewise their cars' suspensions and gearing were set up for short flat ovals.
As of August 2022, the fastest official race lap records at Cadwell Park are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circuit: 3.502 km (1961–present) | ||||
| 1:21.036[12] | 2021 Cadwell Park British Superkart round | |||
| 1:23.490[13] | 1982 Cadwell Park British F3 round | |||
| 1:39.000[14] | 1968 Cadwell Park Special GT 2.0 round | |||
| 1:44.000[15] | 1962 Cadwell Park Formula Libre race | |||
| Motorcycle Full Circuit: 3.508 km (2004–present) | ||||
| 1:25.858[16] | 2022 Cadwell Park BSB round | |||
| Club Circuit: 2.375 km (1961–present) | ||||
| 0:55.400[17] | 1963 Cadwell Park sports car race | |||
| Lap Records | |||
| Driver | Car | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Moss | Division One Superkart | 1:21.036 | |
| Richard Mitcham | Jedi MK6 | 1:21.138 | |
| Jeremy Timms | Dallara F301-Suzuki (Monoposto Mono1400) | 1:21.979[18] | |
| Shaun Balfe | Radical SR8 | 1:22.50 | |
| Tim Gray | Spire GT3 (750MC Bikesports) | 1:22.82 | |
| 1.23.562[19] | |||
| Enrique Mansilla | Monoposto F3 | 1:23.572[20] | |
| Robin Liddell | Radical Prosport | 1:25.49 | |
| Lee Atkins | Radical SR4 | 1:29.04 | |
| Russ Stephens | Radical Clubsport | 1:29.36 | |