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 Motorcycle Full Circuit (2004–present) | |
| Location | Lincolnshire, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°18′32″N0°3′47″W / 53.30889°N 0.06306°W /53.30889; -0.06306 |
| Owner | MotorSport Vision (January 2004–present) |
| Opened | 1938 |
| Major events | Current: BSB (1995–2019, 2021–present) Former: British F3 (1954–1955, 1962, 1965, 1970–1972, 1974–1975, 1977–1983) |
| Website | https://www.cadwellpark.co.uk/ |
| Full Circuit (1961–present) | |
| Length | 3.502 km (2.176 mi) |
| Turns | 18 |
| Race lap record | 1:21.036 ( Sam Moss,Anderson CSK,2021,Superkart) |
| Motorcycle Full Circuit (2004–present) | |
| Length | 3.508 km (2.180 mi) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 1:25.472 (Bradley Ray,Yamaha YZF-R1,2025,SBK) |
| Club Circuit (1961–present) | |
| Length | 2.375 km (1.476 mi) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 0:55.400 (Tony Lanfranchi,Elva Mk VII, 1963,Sports car) |
| Woodlands Circuit (1961–present) | |
| Length | 1.365 km (0.848 mi) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Full Circuit (1952–1960) | |
| Length | 2.012 km (1.250 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Original Circuit (1938–1950) | |
| Length | 1.207 km (0.750 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
Cadwell Park is amotor racing circuit inLincolnshire, England, 5 mi (8.0 km) south ofLouth, owned and operated byMotorSport Vision, a business associated with former racing driverJonathan Palmer.[1]Sited on formerparkland across a steep-sided valley with dips and crests, the circuit features sharp changes in gradient, including one section calledThe Mountain where bikes can become airborne by up to several feet. Its mix of challenging corners has led to itsnickname as the Mini-Nürburgring.[2][3]
Located in theLincolnshire Wolds, Cadwell Park was established in 1934 (91 years ago) (1934) by Mr Mansfield Wilkinson of Louth. His sons originally used the land for racing their own motorbikes against each other.
Originally the gravel-drives of the country estate measured 0.75 mi (1.21 km), with tarmac and concrete being added in 1938, with widening and lengthening in 1953, and lengthened again in 1961 with the addition of the Donington Curve.[4]
In 1953 the track was lengthened to 1.250 mi (2.012 km), upon the invitation of the 500 cc motorcycle-engined Formula 3 to race in a traditional bike meeting. Around 30,000 spectators attended that particular race.
The track grew to the current 2.175 mi (3.500 km) layout in 1962 and hosted theBritish F3 series the next May. Some of the bends are named after family members e.g. Mansfield, Charlie and Chris.
Cadwell Park circuit was acquired byMotorSport Vision (MSV) along withBrands Hatch,Oulton Park, andSnetterton fromThe Interpublic Group of Companies subsidiaryOctagon in January 2004.[5] Octagon previously acquired prior owner Brands Hatch Leisure plc in November 1999.[6] MSV immediately implemented a programme of improvements to the venue, designed to heighten customer experiences both for spectators and competitors.
Competitively, Cadwell Park is primarily used for motorcycle racing, with theBritish Superbike Championship round being the biggest event on the circuit's calendar, held during an August weekend each year.[7][8] In 2010, it hosted an additional BSB meeting on the weekend of 22/23 May.
Cadwell Park occasionally features in theBritish Superkart Championship calendar, having last done so in 2021. A new circuit lap record for any vehicle was set by driver Sam Moss in that year.
The circuit's track width is now generally considered too narrow for high level car races, although Club motorsport associations such as theBARC,HSCC and750MC still hold meetings.
In addition to the August round of theBritish Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park also hosts two major historic events with the Vintage Sports Car Club's annual festival and the Wolds Trophy covering the post-war period.
The Vintage Motorcycle Club is a regular visitor, with the popular Modified Live car show event also on the calendar. The Cadwell Park season typically ends with stage rallying and fireworks.
During the week the circuit offers general test days and track days for cars and motorcycles, and can also be hired out for private use.
Several tests and feature clips for the motoring programFifth Gear have been filmed here. They frequently feature racing driverTiff Needell.
In April 2009, musician andPink Floyd drummerNick Mason flew into the circuit by helicopter to drive his £1.5 millionFerrari 512.[9]
In June 2015 the circuit was used as part of the course for pedal-cycling'sBritish National Time Trial Championships.[10]
Some racing scenes for the 2013 filmRush were filmed at Cadwell Park.[11]
Top Gear used the circuit for a feature, aired in 2020, featuring former Formula One driverDamon Hill pitted against the regularTop Gear presenters, testing a Porsche, Aston Martin and Ferrari.[12]
During the 1960s and 1970s,BriSCA Formula 1 Stock Cars attracted big crowds to Cadwell. The gradient changes added excitement to the racing, as stock car drivers were accustomed to racing on flat 400-yard (370 m) oval tracks of shale or tarmac; and likewise their cars' suspensions and gearing were set up for short flat ovals.
As of August 2025, the fastest official race lap records at Cadwell Park are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circuit: 3.502 km (1961–present)[13] | ||||
| Superkart | 1:21.036[14] | Sam Moss | Anderson CSK | 2021 Cadwell Park British Superkart round |
| Formula Three | 1:23.490[15] | Enrique Mansilla | Ralt RT3 | 1982 Cadwell Park British F3 round |
| Sports prototype | 1:39.000[16] | Tony Dean | Ferrari Dino 206 S | 1968 Cadwell Park Special GT 2.0 round |
| Formula Libre | 1:44.000[17] | Brian Hart | Lotus 22 | 1962 Cadwell Park Formula Libre race |
| Motorcycle Full Circuit: 3.508 km (2004–present)[13] | ||||
| Superbike | 1:25.472[18] | Bradley Ray | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 2025 Cadwell Park BSB round |
| Supersport | 1:28.267[19] | Jack Kennedy | Honda CBR600RR | 2025 Cadwell Park BSS round |
| Sportbike | 1:31.715[20] | Harrison Dessoy | Triumph Daytona 660 | 2025 Cadwell Park British Sportbike round |
| BMW F900R Cup | 1:33.972[21] | Barry Burrell | BMW F900R | 2025 Cadwell Park BMW F900R Cup round |
| Club Circuit: 2.375 km (1961–present)[13] | ||||
| Sports car racing | 0:55.400[22] | Tony Lanfranchi | Elva Mk VII | 1963 Cadwell Park sports car race |
| Lap Records | ||
| Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Moss | Division OneSuperkart | 1:21.036[14] |
| Richard Mitcham | Jedi MK6 | 1:21.138 |
| Thomas Gadd | Jedi MK6/7 (750MC) | 1:21.899[23] |
| Jeremy Timms | Dallara F301-Suzuki (Monoposto Mono1400) | 1:21.979[24] |
| Shaun Balfe | Radical SR8 | 1:22.50 |
| Tim Gray | Spire GT3 (750MC Bikesports) | 1:22.82 |
| Jimmy Broadbent | Praga R1 | 1.23.562[25] |
| Enrique Mansilla | Monoposto F3 | 1:23.572[26] |
| Robin Liddell | Radical Prosport | 1:25.49 |
| Lee Atkins | Radical SR4 | 1:29.04 |
| Russ Stephens | Radical Clubsport | 1:29.36 |
