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Rockingham
Motor Speedway opened on 26th May, 2001.
The
track took two years to build on a 300-acre brownfield site to the
north of Corby.
When Rockingham Motor Speedway opened, it was the first new oval
race track since Brooklands in Surrey closed in 1936.
In the begining
The track's story begins over a decade ago.
Despite
all American Champ Car and Indianapolis Racing cars being built
in Britain, there wasn't a venue suitable in this country for them
to be tested.
It
was at this point when the former steelworks land in Corby began
to be considered for the site of a test track.
But
as the development continued it became clear there was a demand
for a major motor sports venue in this country. In
1993 the speedway was given planning permission.
Britain's
first
The
original designs for the track planned to seat spectators on the
grass banking surrounding the track.
But
this idea was scrapped in line with the findings of the Taylor Report
on stadium safety.
The
drawing board was revisted and plans to create Britain's first all-seater
motor sports stadium were put in to motion.
Life
in the fast lane
So
from the original idea of one small test track, Rockingham Motor
Speedway opened with a possible 10 track variations.
These vary from the 1.5 mile, 60ft wide Oval Circuit with four turns,
to the 2.56 mile International Long track with 14 turns, some more
challenging than others.
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| A
view of the from inside. |
The
track is host to many races.
These
include Superbikes, British Formula 3, oval racing and The Rockingham
500 Champ Car Event; Britain's fastest ever motor car race.
What's
in a name?
Apart from the obvious connection, the name Rockingham Motor
Speedway also has its roots across the Atlantic.
Rockingham UK is unofficially twinned with the oval track of the
same name in Rockingham, North Carolina.
Cause
for complaint
On opening, although many welcomed the track, many local residents
weren't happy.
Complaints about excessive noise on race days and traffic congestion
in surrounding areas have so far plagued the circuit.
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