Cadwell Park is a motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, south of Louthowned and operated by MotorSport Vision, a business associated with former racing driver Jonathan Palmer. 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.
History
Located in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Cadwell Park was established in 1934 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 3/4 miles, 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. In 1953 the track was lengthened to, 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. aviating on a Milwaukee Yamaha British Superbike at The Mountain in 2014 The track grew to the current 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. Palmer immediately implemented a programme of improvements to the venue, designed to heighten customer experiences both for spectators and competitors.
Racing usage
Cadwell is now considered too narrow for high level car races, although Club motorsport associations such as the BARC, HSCC and 750MC still hold meetings. Competitively, it 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. In 2010, it hosted an additional BSB meeting on the weekend of 22/23 May.
Current events
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 Superkart British Grand Prix is held at the circuit, with the popular Modified Live event also on the calendar. During the week the circuit offers some general test days and driving experiences, and can also be hired out for private testing and track days.
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 400-yard oval tracks of shale or tarmac; and likewise their cars' suspensions and gearing were set up for short flat ovals.
