Motor racing has a huge following and embraces everything from Formula One (F1) grand prix to stock car racing. Among the many classifications of motor racing in the UK are Formulas One, Two and Three; Formula 3000; sports car and Formula Ford racing; rallying; hill-climbing; historic sports car racing; competitions among special one-make series (such as TVR, Renault 5, Mazda MX-5 and Honda CRX, to name but a few); autocross; go-karting; and bantam racing for kids.
The most famous motor racing venues in the UK are Brands Hatch and Silverstone, host to the British Grand Prix, which is part of the F1 World Motor Racing Championship. This is one of the UK’s most expensive sporting events, with tickets costing hundreds of pounds. Regular race meetings are also held at Caldwell Park, Castle Combe, Donington Park, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Thruxton Park. National hot rod, saloon, stock car and banger racing also arouse enthusiasm among the young (which sometimes involves practice on public roads). Meetings are held on most Saturdays during the main season, which runs from April to October at stadia throughout the UK.
Motorcycle racing is almost as popular and includes grand prix racing at 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc levels and superbikes over 1,000cc. The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy circuit is the UK’s most famous (or infamous) which, because it’s on public roads around the island, lacks the safety features (and the fast-acting emergency services) found at purpose-built circuits. This has led to the deaths of many riders over the years. Other forms of motorcycling with a large following are sidecar and speedway racing, scrambling and moto-cross. Speedway is held at stadia around the UK from March to August. There are a number of magazines dedicated to motor sports in the UK and lots of websites, including www.fia.com , www.passport2sport.co.uk and www.motorsport.co.uk .
This article is an extract from Living and working in Britain. Click here to get a copy now.