Oulton memories

Superb piece on the nostalgia of Oulton Park in February’s C&SC. I, too, have wonderful memories because, after growing up in a south Manchester suburb, it was my first introduction to motorsport. In the ’60s, the local petrolhead would invite me and my mate Steve to accompany him to meetings, which of course we leapt at. On one occasion, I was with him in an early Honda S800 and I remember when the engine was already screaming away at high revs that he decided to overtake and changed down!

Anyway, to get back to the script, my favourite viewing point was always Lodge Corner with its following dip prior to Deer’s Leap. In particular, I recall Brian Robinson powersliding a Lotus Cortina with consummate ease, and John Fitzpatrick in his Mini going off into the trees in The Avenue between Druids and Lodge. On seeing the severely damaged car in the paddock afterwards, I was amazed he was not badly hurt.

I once sneaked off to cycle the 30 miles to Oulton without telling my parents; on arriving back that evening, I rightly received a royal rollocking. Later still, when old enough to ride my Lambretta LD150, when the event finished (in those less regulated times) I managed to ride a complete lap at 30mph before being intercepted.

Finally, in my 60s, I did a track day there in my 2001 Audi A2 and thoroughly enjoyed it, but did feel the safety factor of the chicanes that have been introduced spoiled the flow of the track.

Dave Massey

Dereham, Norfolk

Reader Massey fondly recalls attending race meetings at Oulton, and sent in these images of Clubmans meetings during the late ’60s – note the spectators’ cars in the car park beside the paddock!