The Goodwood of the North

[Cork All Star]

When I was at Aintree yesterday and walking down the long row of bookmakers in front of the stands, I wondered how many of the people in attendance realised they were walking on another racecourse where the greats have performed?

Mrs Topham, the owner of Aintree, had ambitions to turn the venue into the northern equivalent of Goodwood. She wanted to see top class racing of cars as well as horses. A motor racing circuit was constructed and a deal was struck to host the British Grand Prix in alternate years.

Aintree first hosted the race in 1955 and staged it on four more occasions until 1962. The motor racing circuit used the same stands as the racecourse.

The Formula One circuit was on the outside of the Grand National course but took in a diversion down the Melling Road. It was in effect a semi street circuit. Some parts of the circuit shared names with National course: Valentine’s Way, Canal Curve and Bechers Bend.

The track was popular and the Grand Prix meetings attracted crowds of 100,000. However, even in the days before Health and Safety became an industry, it soon became clear that the circuit was too fast and dangerous. After its last Grand Prix, it staged a few unofficial races before the circuit fell silent in 1964.

The Formula One track still exists almost in its entirety. The long line of bookmakers at race meetings are in effect stretched down what was the home straight. Only Tatts Corner has disappeared from the circuit – the Derby and Sefton stands have been built over it.

The shorter Club Circuit still exists and is used for motorcycle racing but it is contained within the National course and is some distance away from the stands. It can be seen if you go up to one of the roof terraces.

I think Aintree should make more of its importance in the history of motor sport. Stirling Moss and Jim Clark both won the British Grand Prix at the venue but you be forgiven for having no awareness of it whatsoever.

Here is a clip of the first Grand Prix held at the circuit:

[Cork All Star]

Sorry – I meant to post this in the Lounge!

[Landafar]

Thats a decent post cork, while im not that old. I am well aware of Aintre as GP venue in the past.
thanks for the memories.

[IanDavies]

I’ve only actually been racing at Aintree once – the Thursday in 1986 when Dawn Run fell at the first, leaving Beau Ranger to floor Wayward Lad – but missing a 3m handicap hurdle early on the card to walk the path on the inside of the Grand National course pre-modifications was an experience I will never forget.

And about 20 years later I was in the area and drove down the Melling Road across the track then found a place to turn round and drove back again, which was almost as compelling.

It’s that kind of place – mesmerising – and if you grew up watching the race every year and loving it, it’s like coming home to your youth.

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[Cork All Star]

With no races over the National fences yesterday, it meant the Melling Road was open as normal. Cars could be seen making their way along it and any drivers would have had a good view of the runners when they were over on the far side.

I noticed a few local residents standing on the pavement on the Melling Road and looking through the wire fence. They would have had a good view as well but would have had no idea about the finish, unless they had a mobile device to watch it on.

The roof terrace in the Daresbury stand was open to everyone yesterday, so I watched the first four races from it. You appreciate the separation of the Racecourse (as it was once known) from the National course. The panoramic view of the course and the surrounding area is fabulous. One of the best viewing experiences on any British racecourse.

The Daresbury Stand also has a lot of wooden honours boards commemorating winners of races long gone. A reminder that Aintree used to be a Flat venue as well.

Mrs Topham’s idea was ambitious but probably a non starter. Oulton Park, a well established motor sport venue, is not far from Aintree. The Grand Prix were popular but once they were lost the motor racing circuit was doomed.

It is a bit of a miracle the racecourse is still there. Both Mrs Topham and Bill Davies wanted to sell it off. When I was growing up, every year the meeting in April was described as “the Last Grand National”. The track was down to just three days of racing, the facilities were dilapidated and the crowds had dwindled to just a few thousand even on Grand National day. A far cry from the thriving venue it is now.

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