Crystal Palace (circuit)
Encyclopedia
Crystal Palace circuit was a motor racing circuit in Crystal Palace
, London
, England
. The circuit was located within Crystal Palace park. The route of the track can still be seen on maps providing access to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
that is also located in the park.
Improvements begun in December 1936 increased the circuit to 2 miles (3 km), and tarmac-covered the entire length. 20 cars entered the first London Grand Prix
on 17 July 1937, a race eventually won by Prince Bira
in his ERA R2B
Romulus at an average speed of 56.5 mph (90.9 km/h). Later that year, during the International Imperial Trophy meeting also won by Bira, the BBC
broadcast the first ever televised motor racing.
With the outbreak of World War II
, the park was taken over by the Ministry of Defence
, and it would not be until 1953 that race meetings could take place again. The circuit had been reduced in length to 1.39 miles (2.2 km), bypassing the loop past the lake, and pressure from the local residents led to an injunction
which reduced motor sport events in the park to only five days per year. A variety of races took place, including sports cars
, Formula Three
, the London Trophy for Formula Two
, and even non-championship Formula One
races.
Average speeds continued to rise over the years, with the first 100 mph (161 km/h) lap average set in 1970 by that year's Formula One world champion, Jochen Rindt
. Also in 1970, the injunction limiting race days expired and racing was increased to 14 days a year. However, driver safety was coming into focus in the early seventies and it became clear that racing around a park at 100 mph (161 km/h) was not safe. Expensive improvements were undertaken, but it was not enough to save the circuit. The last International meeting was in May 1972, the final lap record going to Mike Hailwood
at an average speed of 103.39 mph (166.39 km/h).
The final meeting was held on 23 September 1972, but club events still continued until the circuit's final closure in 1974.
filmed on the startline at Crystal Palace for scene showing the initial testing of the Mini Cooper getaway cars. The circuit was also used for parts of the UFO (TV series)
episode The Responsibility Seat.
Although the circuit no longer exists, it can be driven virtually in the Grand Prix Legends
historical motor racing computer simulation game, for which it was recreated in detail. It was later converted to several other racing simulation programs, including the popular rFactor
.
The circuit was used for the prologue time trial
of the Tour of Britain
cycle race
on 9 September 2007, and is used regularly for summer road race league events, normally held on Tuesday evenings.
Adjacent to the Olympic swimming pool and the start/finish straight of the old racing circuit exists a permanent model race circuit the London Radio Car Club. The LRCC circuit was designed and constructed in 1976 'specifically' for 1/8 scale glow plug internal combustion powered radio-controlled model cars. Although its use has since been extended to 1/10 scale RC cars (glow-plug engine and motor powered types) also to a lesser extent to accommodate 1/5 scale chain-saw spark plug engine powered cars and trucks. The LRCC track and club has played host to numerous BRCA national meetings for 1/8 on-road, it has also nurtured the talents of some of the best 1/8 drivers in the UK.
In 2007 the LRCC track was temporarily closed to allow some work to be done to the swimming pool building. The machinery involved caused damaged the track and, although repairs were done, they were not sufficient to reopen the track and the managers seemingly dissolved the club. As of 1st January 2011 the track re-opened at the weekends to raise funds for repairs. As of the 1st March 2011 the club has officially re-opened. Club racing has re-started which takes place every two weeks, enthusiasts still attend the track for fun and to practice weekends only.
Crystal Palace, London
Crystal Palace is a residential area in south London, England named from the former local landmark, The Crystal Palace, which occupied the area from 1854 to 1936. The area is located approximately 8 miles south east of Charing Cross, and offers impressive views over the capital...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The circuit was located within Crystal Palace park. The route of the track can still be seen on maps providing access to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in south London, England is a large sports centre and athletics stadium. It was opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, close to the site of the former Crystal Palace, in the former parkland and also usurping part of the former grand prix circuit.It was...
that is also located in the park.
History
The circuit opened in 1927 and the first race, for motorcycles, was on 21 May 1927. The circuit was 1 miles (1.6 km) long, and ran on pre-existing paths through the park, including a loop past the lake. The surface had tarmac-covered bends, but the straights only had hard-packed gravel.Improvements begun in December 1936 increased the circuit to 2 miles (3 km), and tarmac-covered the entire length. 20 cars entered the first London Grand Prix
London Grand Prix
The Aviva London Grand Prix is an annual athletics event at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London, England.Previously one of the five IAAF Super Grand Prix events, it is now part of the IAAF Diamond League...
on 17 July 1937, a race eventually won by Prince Bira
Prince Bira
12th, 1956 Melbourne, Star 19th, 1960 Rome, Star 22nd, 1964 Tokio, Dragon 21st, 1972 Munich, TempestPrince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh better known as Prince Bira of Siam , or by his nom de course B...
in his ERA R2B
English Racing Automobiles
English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:...
Romulus at an average speed of 56.5 mph (90.9 km/h). Later that year, during the International Imperial Trophy meeting also won by Bira, the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
broadcast the first ever televised motor racing.
With the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the park was taken over by the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
, and it would not be until 1953 that race meetings could take place again. The circuit had been reduced in length to 1.39 miles (2.2 km), bypassing the loop past the lake, and pressure from the local residents led to an injunction
Injunction
An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts. A party that fails to comply with an injunction faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
which reduced motor sport events in the park to only five days per year. A variety of races took place, including sports cars
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
, Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
, the London Trophy for Formula Two
Formula Two
Formula Two, abbreviated to F2, is a type of open wheel formula racing. It was replaced by Formula 3000 in 1985, but the FIA announced in 2008 that Formula Two would return for 2009 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship...
, and even non-championship Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
races.
Average speeds continued to rise over the years, with the first 100 mph (161 km/h) lap average set in 1970 by that year's Formula One world champion, Jochen Rindt
Jochen Rindt
Karl Jochen Rindt was a German racing driver who represented Austria during his career. He is the only driver to posthumously win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship , after being killed in practice for the Italian Grand Prix...
. Also in 1970, the injunction limiting race days expired and racing was increased to 14 days a year. However, driver safety was coming into focus in the early seventies and it became clear that racing around a park at 100 mph (161 km/h) was not safe. Expensive improvements were undertaken, but it was not enough to save the circuit. The last International meeting was in May 1972, the final lap record going to Mike Hailwood
Mike Hailwood
Stanley Michael Bailey Hailwood, MBE, GM was a British Grand Prix motorcycle road racer regarded by many as one of the greatest racers of all time. He was known as "Mike The Bike" because of his natural riding ability...
at an average speed of 103.39 mph (166.39 km/h).
The final meeting was held on 23 September 1972, but club events still continued until the circuit's final closure in 1974.
Other uses
The circuit's location within Greater London made it a popular venue for both film and television settings, The Italian JobThe Italian Job
The Italian Job is a 1969 British caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley and directed by Peter Collinson. Subsequent television showings and releases on video have established it as an institution in the United Kingdom....
filmed on the startline at Crystal Palace for scene showing the initial testing of the Mini Cooper getaway cars. The circuit was also used for parts of the UFO (TV series)
UFO (TV series)
UFO is a 1970-1971 British television science fiction series about an alien invasion of Earth, created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson with Reg Hill, and produced by the Andersons and Lew Grade's Century 21 Productions for Grade's ITC Entertainment company.UFO first aired in the UK and Canada...
episode The Responsibility Seat.
Although the circuit no longer exists, it can be driven virtually in the Grand Prix Legends
Grand Prix Legends
Grand Prix Legends is a computer racing simulator developed by Papyrus Design Group and published in 1998 by Sierra Entertainment...
historical motor racing computer simulation game, for which it was recreated in detail. It was later converted to several other racing simulation programs, including the popular rFactor
RFactor
rFactor is a computer racing simulator, designed with the ability to run any type of four-wheeled vehicle from street cars to open wheel cars of any era. rFactor aimed to be the most accurate race simulator of its time...
.
The circuit was used for the prologue time trial
Individual time trial
An individual time trial is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock . There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials...
of the Tour of Britain
Tour of Britain
The Tour of Britain is a cycle race, conducted over several stages, in which participants race from place to place across parts of Great Britain....
cycle race
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
on 9 September 2007, and is used regularly for summer road race league events, normally held on Tuesday evenings.
Adjacent to the Olympic swimming pool and the start/finish straight of the old racing circuit exists a permanent model race circuit the London Radio Car Club. The LRCC circuit was designed and constructed in 1976 'specifically' for 1/8 scale glow plug internal combustion powered radio-controlled model cars. Although its use has since been extended to 1/10 scale RC cars (glow-plug engine and motor powered types) also to a lesser extent to accommodate 1/5 scale chain-saw spark plug engine powered cars and trucks. The LRCC track and club has played host to numerous BRCA national meetings for 1/8 on-road, it has also nurtured the talents of some of the best 1/8 drivers in the UK.
In 2007 the LRCC track was temporarily closed to allow some work to be done to the swimming pool building. The machinery involved caused damaged the track and, although repairs were done, they were not sufficient to reopen the track and the managers seemingly dissolved the club. As of 1st January 2011 the track re-opened at the weekends to raise funds for repairs. As of the 1st March 2011 the club has officially re-opened. Club racing has re-started which takes place every two weeks, enthusiasts still attend the track for fun and to practice weekends only.