Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Northamptonshire Motor Racing
Excellence, of course, breeds excellence and no other county in the UK can lay claim to such a concentration of motor racing venues including Silverstone, the unofficial HQ, as it were, of British motor racing and host to the first ever World Championship Grand Prix; Rockingham Motor Speedway, famous for its US-style racing circuit; Santa Pod Raceway, the home of European-style drag racing; and Northamptonshire International Raceway, which hosts an exciting mix of motor racing events. Northamptonshire motor racing is, indeed, synonymous with the pinnacle of UK motor sports.
Silverstone
Silverstone is established as the ‘Home of British Motor Racing’ and the British Grand Prix. The Silverstone circuit is recognised as a brand leader for motor racing not only in Britain, but worldwide.
Motor racing prowess aside, Silverstone also hosts an impressive range of other motor sport events and activities including: the British Touring Car Championship, the British RallySprint Championship, not to mention the ever popular self-drive experience where members of the public have the opportunity to test their skills behind the wheel in rally cars, single-seaters, Lotus Elises, 4x4 offroaders, etc.
Silverstone – A Proud Past & Present
Silverstone Circuit first opened for racing in 1948 and shortly afterwards, in 1950, hosted the first ever round of the Formula One World Championship. Over the years, Silverstone has benefited from major investment and funding for circuit revisions, new pits, enhanced safety procedures, and much more.
Silverstone is currently owned and operated by the British Racing Drivers Club.
Did you know that …
In the Middle Ages, the site which is now Silverstone was a popular hunting ground with the King’s Court and, during World War II, Silverstone Circuit and service roads were used as a wartime airfield and bomber training centre?
Silverstone Info.
Address: Silverstone Circuits Limited, Silverstone, Nr. Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN
Contact: Tel: +44 (0)1327 857271; Ticket Hotline +44 (0)8704 588260; General enquiries: +44 (0)8704 588200 email: enquiries@silverstone.co.uk;
website: www.silverstone.co.uk
Directions to Silverstone: Located on the A43. 24 kilometres (15 miles) south of Northampton, 48.3 kilometres (30 miles) north east of Oxford, 8 kilometres, (5 miles) from Towcester, 9 kilometres (5.25 miles) from both Buckingham and Brackley
Silverstone is easy to get to by road from both the M40 and M1. By train, regular services run to Northampton train station; Silverstone is only 1 hour from London Euston train station.
NIR (Northamptonshire International Raceway)
Visit NIR for an exhilarating day out!
A top Northamptonshire Motor Racing venue, NIR is widely acclaimed for its multi-disciplinary motoring events including BriSCA Formula 1 and Formula 2 Stock Cars, Dare-Devil Bangers, Legends and Rebel Racers, Outlaw Hot Rods, Stock Rods, Lightning Rod.
Visitor facilities include free car parking, vantage-point viewing of the complete circuit, licensed bar, quality hot and cold refreshments and a track shop.
NIR Info:
Track Address: Northampton International Raceway, Northampton Stadium, Brafield Road, Horton, Northamptonshire, NN7 2BA
Postal Address: PO Box 1081, Cannock, Staffs, WS12 1ZF
Contact: Tel: +44 (0)1543 422046; email: info@incarace.co.uk
Directions to Northampton International Raceway: Located just five miles
Along the A428 from Northampton; from the north – exit junction 15, M1, follow A508 to A526 (signed Newport Pagnell), turn left on to Brafield Road; from the south - exit junction 14, M1, follow A509 and B526, turn right on to Brafield Road.
Rockingham Motor Speedway
Since its launch in May 2001, the UK’s first all-seater motor sports stadium and first new oval race track (since the closure in 1936 of Brooklands, Surrey) and the UK's only US-style racing circuit, has gone from strength to strength.
But, Rockingham Motor Speedway offers more than motor racing events, driver training and individual driving experiences (as if that wasn’t enough!). This high profile Northamptonshire motor racing venue also has the capacity to host big name live music concerts, outdoor exhibitions, as well as offering manufacturers’ track and venue hire facilities, corporate driving days, conferencing and banqueting (for up to 500 delegates), meeting rooms and suite hire, etc.
Rockingham Racing School
Established in 1978, this highly acclaimed Racing School and one of the founding members of ARDS (The Association of Racing Drivers Schools) delivers top quality training and the ultimate hands-on driving experience aimed at all levels of motoring ability. The racing circuit used for training is RAC MSA licensed and all instructors are fully qualified and recognised by ARDS. Racing School driving vouchers make the perfect gift for the motor racing enthusiast!
Hot News for 2007!
The Rockingham Masterclass Corporate Driving Day is tailored for adrenalin-driven individuals who rate their skills on the racing circuit. Why not challenge your colleagues to the ultimate corporate day out!
Rockingham Motor Speedway Info:
Address: Rockingham Motor Speedway, Mitchell Road, Corby, Northants, NN17 5AF
Contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1536 500500; email: enquiries@rockingham.co.uk; website: www.rockingham.co.uk
Directions to Rockingham Motor Speedway: Located on a 300-acre site off the A6116 near Corby, the main entrance to Rockingham is situated on Mitchell Road, just off the A43. By car, there are good links to the A43 from the A1, M1, M6 and M11; by train, the nearest train station is Kettering station approximately 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Rockingham Circuit.
Santa Pod Raceway
Host to the FIA European Drag Racing Championships, as well as various other prestigious events and shows, Santa Pod Raceway is the home of European Drag Racing. Drag racing is arguably one of the most spectacular forms of spectator motor sports around today. Santa Pod race season runs from January through to November.
Santa Pod Raceway Info:
Address: Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, Northants., NN29 7XA
Contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1234 782828; website: www.santapod.co.uk
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Northamptonshire Motor Racing - Pick of the Bunch!
Silverstone
Silverstone is established as the ‘Home of British Motor Racing’ and the British Grand Prix. The Silverstone circuit is recognised as a brand leader for motor racing not only in Britain, but worldwide.
Motor racing prowess aside, Silverstone also hosts an impressive range of other motor sport events and activities including: the British Touring Car Championship, the British RallySprint Championship, not to mention the ever popular self-drive experience where members of the public have the opportunity to test their skills behind the wheel in rally cars, single-seaters, Lotus Elises, 4x4 offroaders, etc.
Silverstone – A Proud Past & Present
Silverstone Circuit first opened for racing in 1948 and shortly afterwards, in 1950, hosted the first ever round of the Formula One World Championship. Over the years, Silverstone has benefited from major investment and funding for circuit revisions, new pits, enhanced safety procedures, and much more.
Silverstone is currently owned and operated by the British Racing Drivers Club.
Did you know that …
In the Middle Ages, the site which is now Silverstone was a popular hunting ground with the King’s Court and, during World War II, Silverstone Circuit and service roads were used as a wartime airfield and bomber training centre?
Silverstone Info.
Address: Silverstone Circuits Limited, Silverstone, Nr. Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN
Contact: Tel: +44 (0)1327 857271; Ticket Hotline +44 (0)8704 588260; General enquiries: +44 (0)8704 588200 email: enquiries@silverstone.co.uk;
website: www.silverstone.co.uk
Directions to Silverstone: Located on the A43. 24 kilometres (15 miles) south of Northampton, 48.3 kilometres (30 miles) north east of Oxford, 8 kilometres, (5 miles) from Towcester, 9 kilometres (5.25 miles) from both Buckingham and Brackley
Silverstone is easy to get to by road from both the M40 and M1. By train, regular services run to Northampton train station; Silverstone is only 1 hour from London Euston train station.
NIR (Northamptonshire International Raceway)
Visit NIR for an exhilarating day out!
A top Northamptonshire Motor Racing venue, NIR is widely acclaimed for its multi-disciplinary motoring events including BriSCA Formula 1 and Formula 2 Stock Cars, Dare-Devil Bangers, Legends and Rebel Racers, Outlaw Hot Rods, Stock Rods, Lightning Rod.
Visitor facilities include free car parking, vantage-point viewing of the complete circuit, licensed bar, quality hot and cold refreshments and a track shop.
NIR Info:
Track Address: Northampton International Raceway, Northampton Stadium, Brafield Road, Horton, Northamptonshire, NN7 2BA
Postal Address: PO Box 1081, Cannock, Staffs, WS12 1ZF
Contact: Tel: +44 (0)1543 422046; email: info@incarace.co.uk
Directions to Northampton International Raceway: Located just five miles
Along the A428 from Northampton; from the north – exit junction 15, M1, follow A508 to A526 (signed Newport Pagnell), turn left on to Brafield Road; from the south - exit junction 14, M1, follow A509 and B526, turn right on to Brafield Road.
Rockingham Motor Speedway
Since its launch in May 2001, the UK’s first all-seater motor sports stadium and first new oval race track (since the closure in 1936 of Brooklands, Surrey) and the UK's only US-style racing circuit, has gone from strength to strength.
But, Rockingham Motor Speedway offers more than motor racing events, driver training and individual driving experiences (as if that wasn’t enough!). This high profile Northamptonshire motor racing venue also has the capacity to host big name live music concerts, outdoor exhibitions, as well as offering manufacturers’ track and venue hire facilities, corporate driving days, conferencing and banqueting (for up to 500 delegates), meeting rooms and suite hire, etc.
Rockingham Racing School
Established in 1978, this highly acclaimed Racing School and one of the founding members of ARDS (The Association of Racing Drivers Schools) delivers top quality training and the ultimate hands-on driving experience aimed at all levels of motoring ability. The racing circuit used for training is RAC MSA licensed and all instructors are fully qualified and recognised by ARDS. Racing School driving vouchers make the perfect gift for the motor racing enthusiast!
Hot News for 2007!
The Rockingham Masterclass Corporate Driving Day is tailored for adrenalin-driven individuals who rate their skills on the racing circuit. Why not challenge your colleagues to the ultimate corporate day out!
Rockingham Motor Speedway Info:
Address: Rockingham Motor Speedway, Mitchell Road, Corby, Northants, NN17 5AF
Contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1536 500500; email: enquiries@rockingham.co.uk; website: www.rockingham.co.uk
Directions to Rockingham Motor Speedway: Located on a 300-acre site off the A6116 near Corby, the main entrance to Rockingham is situated on Mitchell Road, just off the A43. By car, there are good links to the A43 from the A1, M1, M6 and M11; by train, the nearest train station is Kettering station approximately 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Rockingham Circuit.
Santa Pod Raceway
Host to the FIA European Drag Racing Championships, as well as various other prestigious events and shows, Santa Pod Raceway is the home of European Drag Racing. Drag racing is arguably one of the most spectacular forms of spectator motor sports around today. Santa Pod race season runs from January through to November.
Santa Pod Raceway Info:
Address: Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, Northants., NN29 7XA
Contact: Tel: +44 (0) 1234 782828; website: www.santapod.co.uk
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