Thruxton replaced Goodwood in the late 60s and the venues have similarities, notwithstanding the fact that they are both airfield venues, built on the perimeter roads of World War Two airfields. If you have raced at Goodwood, you will love Thruxton! They are the same length give 10 metres and are both fast flowing. Thruxton boasts more run off and grass areas, as indeed, its construction addresses the safety concerns that saw Goodwood’s closure in 1966. Thruxton is also the home of the British Automobile Club who relocated to Hampshire from West-Sussex and they oversee the officiating of the meetings. Thruxton has eleven corners and has earned the plaudit of being a ‘drivers track’ as speeds of over 190mph can be achieved in modern racing cars. Formula One World Champion, Damon Hill famously achieved an average speed of 147mph in his Williams Formula One car in 1993.
Map courtesy of www.motorsportcircuits.co.uk
Thruxton is also a favourite for motor cycle racers and the British Super Bike Championship race at Thruxton every year, indeed, motorcycle races were held in the 1950s and early 1960s circuit before it came a fully licenced venue.
Many famous drivers are closely associated to the venue, including former Formula One and fourteen times Le-Mans racer, Tiff Needell who always competes at Thruxton Historic and operates the BMW M4 Driving Experience at the venue. Tiff describes a lap of Thruxton in this film for Motor Sport Magazine
For more information on the History of Thruxton see this You Tube video about the history of Thruxton
