Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire is set in the Wolds. A motor racing circuit that features a steep-sided valley, allowing for rise to dips and crests, with sharp changes in gradient, including one section called “The Mountain” where bikes frequently become airborne. With challenging corners to the track, it has been nicknamed the “Mini-Nürburgring” after the tough motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany.
Cadwell Park Lincolnshire was originally established in 1934 by local man Mansfield Wilkinson, of Louth. The length of the track was almost doubled to 1.3 miles in 1953, and grew to its current 2.25-mile layout in 1962. The circuit has seen 500cc motorcycle-engined Formula 3 class races.
It has three configurations – the Woodlands circuit, which is not often used, the short Club circuit, and the excellent, although rather daunting, full circuit. Some of the bends are named after family members e.g. Mansfield, Charlie and Chris.
Details of the track are:
- Full Circuit: Length: 2.173 miles (3.4768 km), clockwise direction with 11 corners
- Club Circuit: Length: 1.481 miles (2.3696 km), clockwise direction with 7 corners
- Woodlands Circuit: Length: 0.712 miles (1.1392 km), clockwise direction with 11 corners
The original track, and its fearsome, yet very photogenic Mountain feature, sees motorbikes frequently becoming airborne. Every August Bank Holiday weekend, thousands of bike fans converge on the circuit when the track hosts the biggest round of the British Superbike Championship.
Nowadays, car racing tends to be confined to club meetings, although they are invariably very exciting events in their own right. The track's swooping nature and its striking mix of twists, cambers and gradients means the circuit is extremely popular and has, over the years, provided some fantastic racing.
However, it is now considered a little too narrow for the bigger car races. Club motorsport associations such as the BARC and 750MC still hold meetings there, and a growing number of car events are taking place as the reputation of this great circuit continues to grow. However, the layout is great for motorcycles, and the Bennetts British Superbike Championship round is by far the most popular event on the circuit's annual calendar.
Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire is now operated by MotorSport and offer Club Trackdays with the chance to test your car or motorcycle in a safe, controlled and professional environment on the course. Motorcycle enthusiasts may also test or prepare their car or bike for racing.
Several tests and feature clips for the television motoring program Fifth Gear have been filmed there.
