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Motorbikestoday
Track Guide |
CADWELL
PARK |
A minature Nurburgring,
one of the most demanding circuits in the country.
Everyone should ride it. |
| |
address: |
Cadwell
Park Racing Circuit
The Old Manor House
Cadwell Park
Louth
Lincs LN11 9SE |
tel: |
01507-343379 |
fax: |
01507-343519 |
website: |
www.motorsportvision.co.uk |
contact: |
Ray
Reynolds/Mick Brown |
e-mail: |
ontrack@cadwellmsv.com |
opening
times: |
0900-1700 Mon-Fri
(racing most weekends) |
circuit
length: |
2.173 miles |
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How to
get There
from the south: |
leave the A1 at Grantham and
follow the A153 through Sleaford and Horncastle |
from the north: |
take the A16 to Louth, follow
the road around the town centre towards Skegness
and then turn right onto the A153 towards Horncastle
for about 7 miles |
from the west: |
take the A631 west from Grantham,
following this road through Market Rasen to Louth
where you turn right onto the A16 towards Skegness
and then right again onto the A153 towards Horncastle
for about 7 miles |
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Facilities
paddock: |
Medium sized, mostly
grass and gravel with some tarmac roads |
garages: |
None |
fuel: |
On-site only on
racedays.
Nearest:
Upgate Service Station
Upgate, Louth, Lincs
(5m North A153)
Nearest 24hrs:
Tesco Filling Station
Wragby Road, Lincoln
(24m West A157/A158) |
catering: |
Restaurant and licensed
bar in clubhouse |
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History
Originally opened in 1934, the current
shape evolved in 1962 and since that time has only changed
in small details, mainly to improve safety. In this
respect it is a miracle that Cadwell Park continues
in operation, as it is ultra-narrow even by club circuit
standards and run off areas are dangerously small or
even non-existent in some places. The circuit may be
a bit remote, tucked away in the Lincolnshire Wolds,
but it is a wonderful place to ride, drive, and spectate.
Even more surprising is given that Lincolnshire is renowned
for being totally flat, Cadwell Park has enough crests
and brows to have acquired the tag of Britain's mini-Nurburgring.
Easily the most picturesque circuit
in the country, it has a character all of its own. Be
in no doubt however, that it is an extremely challenging
ride, but well worth the trip for any enthusiast. It
has several features that are unique, two of them being
'The Gooseneck', a vicious off-camber corkscrew with
a rapidly descending exit, and 'The Mountain' a short
sharp incline that will see the more powerful machinery
getting airborne (hence those 'Ring connotations). |
|
Trackday Operators |
name |
tel: |
website |
Trackdays |
0870- 4445541 |
www.trackdays.co.uk |
A1 Speed Freak Trackdays |
01625 859969 |
www.speedfreaktrackdays.com |
R1 Owners Club |
01420-88760 |
|
100% Bikes |
0870-8722532 |
www.100pc.co.uk |
Track Time Promotions |
01386-423555 |
www.tracktimepromotions.co.uk |
Hottrax |
01908-330445 |
www.hottrax.co.uk |
No Limits |
07000-600750 |
www.nolimitstrackdays.com |
Hopp Rider Training |
01485-518032 |
www.hoppridertraining.co.uk |
C&C Trackdays |
01983-523315 |
|
European Superbike School |
0870-2415159 |
www.europeansuperbikeschool.com |
Focused Events |
01903-744011 |
www.focusedevents.com |
Motor Cycle Folly Ltd |
08700-750950 |
www.motorcyclefolly.co.uk |
Rapid Training |
01296-715904 |
www.rapidtraining.co.uk |
|
|
Where to Stay |
name |
tel: |
distance
from circuit |
Travel Inn, Lincoln
|
01522-525216 |
24 miles |
Admiral Rodney Hotel, Horncastle |
01507-523131 |
7 miles |
Stamford House B&B, Miningsby |
01507-588682 |
11 miles |
Butterfields Guest House, Louth |
01507-606719 |
8 miles |
Grange Farm, Maltby-le-Marsh |
01507-450267 |
12 miles |
Haywain Motel, Ulceby Cross |
01507-462786 |
9 miles |
The Black Horse PH, Donington-on-Bain |
01507-343640 |
6 miles |
The Plough Inn, Louth |
01507-603551 |
5 miles |
Masons Arms PH, Louth |
01507-609525 |
6 miles |
Keddington House B&B, Louth |
01507-603973 |
5 miles |
The Limes Country Hotel, Market Rasen |
01673-842357 |
12 miles |
Westbrook House B&B, Gayton-le-Marsh |
01507-450624 |
10 miles |
Old Rectory Guest House, Stewton |
01507-328063 |
4 miles |
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|
A Lap of The Circuit
There are two alternatives for Cadwell
– the short circuit and the Mountain circuit.
If you can, do the Mountain. It’s a little daunting
at first but it’s worth it. Trust me – I’m
a journalist.
Assuming you are doing the Mountain,
then.
Come out of the paddock into Hall
Bends. First time around this will be a gentle right,
left, right into the trees. Very scenic, very relaxing.
The next bend is The Hairpin. Treat it with respect,
because like all the bends in this part of the track
there is no run-off whatsoever. It’s also worth
remembering that the trees mean that this part of the
circuit stays damp and slippery far longer than the
rest. Out of The Hairpin and there is a short straight
to Barn, a slightly downhill right hander. Although
it’s important to get a good drive out for the
main start/finish straight, beware the highside on the
exit and watch for the armco that comes closer to the
track as the straight commences.
At the end of the straight you will
come to Coppice, an uphill left hander that leads straight
into Charlies. Charlies is a blind, double apex right,
and both of these corners require skill and courage
to take well. Good track knowledge is also important.
Park Straight isn’t really straight at all. But
it is ever so fast. The braking point for Park Corner
is blind as you come over the crest, but the marker
boards make it easier. Watch your knees on the kerb
inside Park Corner as it’s a little high.
Exiting park you have a short straight
again before the never ending right hander of Chris
Curve. Lots of speed and lots of course but don’t
go too crazy because the most common place on the track
to fall off is coming up. The Gooseneck is a simple
enough right-left chicane but the combination of it
being slightly downhill and the tendency to approach
it way to fast make it a dangerous combination. Here’s
a good hint – get turning for the second part
as soon as you possibly can to make it easier on yourself.
Mansfield is a horrible downhill left hander that feels
all wrong but is actually quite easy with no surprises.
Watch for the front letting go, though, as you’re
braking hard on a fairly steep downhill.
Out of Mansfield you’ll encounter
a new chicane built to slow riders down before the Mountain
itself. It’s an ugly contrivance and it rather
spoils the flow of the track but make the most of it.
After that comes The Mountain itself. Unless you’re
on the short circuit in which case you’ll be tuning
right and getting back onto the start/finish straight.
The Mountain starts with a sharp right hander, followed
by a sharp left that simply goes uphill. Steeply. At
the top of the hill you will wheelie. Accept it and
don’t worry – there’s plenty of room.
If you’re going fast you may take off completely.
Stay calm and all will be fine. Then you’re back
into Hall Bends, which are no longer so gentle, and
that’s a lap. |
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