BTCC Pages - Oulton Park

Oulton Park

A Motorsport Vision Circuit

Contact:

Oulton Park Race Circuit
Little Budworth
Tarporley
Cheshire
CW6 9BW

Tel: 01829 760301
Fax: 01829 760378
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk

Oulton Park lies next to Little Budworth and is accessed from the A54 or A49. Oulton Park is signposted from the crossover of the A54 and A49. Regular services to Crewe and Chester stations operate on the main line from Euston.
Ordnance Survey Map >>

Fan's View

"The Island circuit is the only layout being used at Oulton this year. If you don't mind a walk and like the first lap first corner action the Old Hall is good on the outside. Only problem is that you can not see much else of the circuit.
If you want to see the cars very close and want to take photos without fencing in the way Island Bend is very good. Only problems are it's a bit of a walk if you're on the infield and also you can not see much of the rest of the track.
Knickerbrook is very good as you get all the overtaking on the run in to the chicane. Also you can see from about half way down the Avenue through Cascades and part of the run up to Island Bend.
Another good place is on the outside of Lodge. The cars approach this corner at there fastest speed throughout the lap and it's a fairly tight corner. There is always some good overtaking moves here under braking.
For eating and drinking there is new restaurant with bar. Also there is a burger and chips bar on the end of the building which is accessible from outside. There are also numerous burger, doughnut, sweet vans etc. around the circuit."

"Oulton Park is one of the most picturesque circuits in Britain. If you want a good spot to watch from, I suggest the outside of the Knickerbrook chicane. When racing on the Island/International circuit, you can see the cars for a hell of a long time, and there's a great overtaking place right in front of you into the chicane, then out of it up clay hill. The only problem with this is that it's a long haul from the pit lane, and fills up fast on BTCC day. So get there early, or shell out for a grandstand seat.
If you want to be in a place for good paddock access, the inside of Cascades provides a view all the way down to the Island hairpin, plus you can see the cars overtaking into the Knickerbrook chicane.
For crashes, the first corner ALWAYS provides accidents at the start a BTCC race, but little else. If you must buy a grandstand seat, buy one at Lodge corner. Lodge is a great overtaking opportunity, and many races have been decided on the last lap into this corner. If you want to watch the grand prix, go to Chequers, the brand new restaurant, where you can watch it. Take a personal stereo tuned to Radio 5, though, the sound quality isn't great."

Fan's View: Getting there by public transport - Contributed by "Tom Jones"

"Get the train to Crewe and then board a local service to Winsford (first station north, about 15 mins on the train, if that) - bikes are again free on this leg but if you get to Crewe on a Virgin train they'll do you for Ł3 each way. When you get there, if you head out of the station and back over the station bridge (the opposite direction from the circuit) there's a post office/shop on the left that does good value food (the pies are superb!). From Winsford Station, head out of the car park and simply follow the signs on the main road through the town, for A54 (Chester) if the Yellow Oulton Park signs aren't out. This route eventually diverges from the dual carriageway onto a gently rolling country A-road (the Chester rd) which leads to the circuit itself. Follow the brown signs, and even if you're a punter take the entry marked 'Paddock, All Labels' provided you're on a bike. At the lights make sure you're legal because there's often a policeman there on race days ;-). Riding time is about 40 minutes again, but at a much more sedate and comfortable pace - the ride isn't that taxing.

The road to the paddock entrance is notorious for punctures in my experience - 3 in the last two visits!, so keep near the crown of the road and avoid all the crap that's fallen off the trees. Turn right when you get to Lodge and the entrance is on the left. Once in, camping is on the left; I recommend going in the trees near the memorial on the inside of lodge - it's fairly obvious where to pitch. The atmosphere is great, but I'd take your own food in as there are no local options to my knowledge and on site catering is not cheap. Unlike at Brands they don't seem to operate a curfew here so take the opportunity to wander down to the paddock in the evening - often teams are there practising pit stops on the Saturday, and the walk round the circuit is nevertheless a pleasant one."

"You can get to the circuit on Mondays or Saturdays from Manchester or Chester. Just get the train between them via Altrincham, and get off at Cuddington. It's a tiny station in a village, but it's the nearest to Oulton. Go up the stairs/ramp, and you'll see a pub at a cross-roads. You want to go left down a main road (it goes back over the track, but not the bridge slap bang next to the platform). It's then a pretty flat ride all the way down that road till you see the signs. Takes about 30 minutes, 20 with a fast mate who can give you a slipstream. About 5 miles. Don't bother with this option is the race is on a Sunday, no trains run on that line all day. Go on the Saturday, camp, and cycle round the circuit in the dark. A liberating experience."

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