Motorsport at the Palace 2016

The sound of race engines echoed throughout South East London last weekend (29th and 30th May) and Crystal Palace as competition once again returned to the famous London race track – one of the oldest race tracks in the World…

Racing started here in 1899 – as soon as they had vented something decent that would hang together, cars and bikes raced flat out through the trees with huge crowds of spectators attending events in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The circuit closed during the 2nd World War but was re-designed and re-opened in 1953, it was estimated that over 100,000 people attended that re-opening meeting. Through out that decade, and into the 1960’s some legendary touring car battles took place between, Cortinas, Coopers and Galaxies and some of the worlds best drivers including Jim Clark, Stirling Moss, James Hunt, Jochen Rindt, Jackie Stewart, Mike Halewood, Gerry Marshall, John Surtees and Graham Hill all competed at the track. As safety standards improved the circuit finally closed its doors in 1971, with concrete blocks, railway sleepers and trees close to the circuit it was deemed just too hairy.

Live Promotions, organised the event this year now working with Sevenoaks and District Motor Club who had helped create the event and revive the venue in 2010 and with club displays, trade stands and the hillclimb competition there was plenty to enjoy over this two day event.

There was a broad array of machinery out there going head to head, from modern Mygale single seaters to Mk2 Escorts, Anglia’s, Elise’s, Impreza’s, Caterhams, Allards and Alfa Romeos. This meant multiple classes for the 108 competitors that took to the start line but top of the chart on day one was Gary Thomas in a Force PT setting a time of 31.59 nearly 2 seconds quicker than the Pilbeam of David Seaton. One the bank holiday Monday and day two Gary Thomas remained the man to beat setting a 31.60 this time it was the Mygale of Andy Laurence coming home second.

This event is a must for the Spring Summer calendar if your thinking about going next year get it in the diary and do it – its a great day out.

Full results and times can be found here.