Matt Bristow- Location: Whitfield, Dover
OK I'm back!! after a manic summer for me I can finally find some time to give a little input here.
As some of you may or may not know I am the official photographer up at Lydden Hill Race Circuit. I'm just interested in peoples thoughts about the place. I appreciate that its been mismanaged over the years but now with a new management team in place they seem to have some good ideas. I must add that I am just an interested bystander and have no vested interest.
Personally I see it as an undeveloped gem in Dover's crown it is after all the birth place of Rally Cross which is enjoying global recognition. I would imagine that most local councils would give body parts to have a race circuit on their patch just for the potential extra ££ it would bring to the surrounding area.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
I used to go there in the '60s during the infancy of rallycross. Great excitement and in those days you were only feet away from the action. Up by the top hairpin you would get covered in mud.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Matt Bristow- Location: Whitfield, Dover
You still can get that close Peter although the mud these days is probably going to be gravel from the gravel traps!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
The Minis in those days were so lightened they had a handle where the rear bumper ought to be. You could pick up the rear end and wheel them around the pits single handed.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Matt
can you tell us what the proposals are ? I think you are right that it is underutilised but equally it sits in some of the most beautiful countryside and there will be concerns about the impact.
I have fond memories of watching the destruction derbies that used to take place there and it regularly featured on the national sports programmes on Saturday afternoons.
Guest 722- Registered: 23 Aug 2011
- Posts: 97
The circuit was in the news not long ago, when lots of hot air baloons took of from there. It was described by a few of the newspaper that I read online as being "near Canterbury" ! Maybe it needs a name change to "Dover race track"
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,835
It is a shame it's postal address is Wootton, Canterbury as a result anybody who does not know the area would think it was near to Canterbury and use that as their base rather than Dover.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Matt Bristow- Location: Whitfield, Dover
Mark to be honest I'm not party to the development plans (although I am told there are some) as I am not employed by them all I know about is the hard worked being done to bring racing championships to the circuit which in turn will bring spectators etc into the area. for the FIA European Rally Cross at Easter I would estimate 12,000 spectators from all over Europe attended. They all have to eat and sleep somewhere!
The circuit is regularly on Motors TV for Rally Cross and this week a whole hour devoted to The Ford Fiesta championship that ran 2 rounds at the circuit in September.
With regards to the 'impact on the local countryside' personally I find this argument laughable given the development that is scheduled to happen around Whitfield which is 5 minutes further down the road.
It is a real shame about the address Jan I agree with you there especially as it comes under the jurisdiction of DDC