Davidstow F1 Circuit - Davidstow, Cornwall
Posted by: SMacB
N 50° 38.263 W 004° 37.117
30U E 385542 N 5610789
Yes, you read it right...... a Formula 1 circuit in Cornwall.
One of many of Britain's airfields to be transformed into motor racing venues. Davidstow circuit is notable for the first victory in a Formula One race by a Lotus.
Waymark Code: WMNFEG
Location: South West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/05/2015
Views: 4
"Near Davidstow village a site was purchased by the RAF in 1941 which became an RAF Coastal Command airfield, known as RAF Davidstow Moor, which was active from 1942-1945. As was common post-war, the airfield’s perimeter roads and runways were transformed into a motor racing circuit following World War II, when the military no long needed the land. The majority of the UK’s current circuits, such as Thruxton and Silverstone, started out in a similar fashion.
The Davidstow motor racing circuit opened in 1952 and held three Formula 1 races between 1954 and 1955. In its short life the circuit had two layouts, one 2.6 and the other 3.1 miles in length. Events that took place at the venue included speed trials, F3, F2 and Formula Libra. Crowds went up to around 20,000 – much more than expected.
Perhaps most notably, in a race that took place on August 2nd, 1954, for F1 and F2 cars (although no F1 car turned up), John Coombs in a Lotus Mk8 won. Some regard this as Lotus’ first victory in an F1 race, but as the car that won was recognised as a sportscar, the victory was never official."
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