Croft Circuit 1995 to 1996

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Circuit Map 1997-
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Main Menu
Car List
Drivers List
Croft History
Car Racing
Circuit Map 1948-63
Circuit Map 1964-81
Circuit Map1995-96
Circuit Map 1997-
Driver's tale
Lap Records
Marshal's Tale
Programme
Spectators Tale
Pictures of Circuit
Assembly Area
Clervaux
Hairpin
Hawthorn
Paddock B
Start/Finish

Croft Autodrome 1995 to 1996
On Sunday the 14th of May 1995, a trial, road race meeting was help at Croft for the first time since 1981. The Historic Sports Car Club planned three 12-lap races: Road Sports, Single Seaters and a GT/Sports/Saloon Car Challenge. About 30 cars took part in this non-championship event with some of the old-Croft Circuit regulars such as Jim Evans, Eddie Falkous and Paul Gibson making a return. A revised circuit with a small addition at Hanger Complex and a large omission at Hawthorn Corner was used. At approximately 1.8 miles long, it fuelling speculation that the old circuit’s length was longer than the officially stated 1.75 miles. The rules for this meeting were strict with no one allowed to start their engines before 12 noon with the threat of exclusion, and ‘NO PROTESTS will be entertained with regards to race stoppages’. Practicing started at 12.15 and the first race at 2.00pm; the other two races to start as soon a possible after the previous. A full three-day programme running from Saturday the 27th to Monday the 29th May quickly followed this meeting. A 21-race programme of historic cars and historic motorcycles took place over these three days paving the way for Croft’s return to the motor racing calendar. At this time plans were well under way for the proposed alterations to the circuit which would provide a first-class facility for competitor and spectators; these improvements were ready for the start of the 1997 season.

The New Circuit 1997 to Present
Croft Autodrome closed to racing in 1981 and re-opened as Croft Circuit in 1995, only slightly altered from its previous layout. After a two year rebuild, it was turned into a modern, well appointed facility with good amenities. Most of the old circuit, except for Railway Straight, was retained. The new addition starts at Sunny Corner where a new bend, Sunny Out, blends the old circuit into a new straight. This leads into the Complex, a tight left and right-hander with a short straight leading to the Hairpin. A new main straight, with control towers and offices, ends with Clervaux, another corner blending back onto the old circuit. Spectators have a much better deal; the new circuit provided high viewing embankments from Hawthorns to the Chicane, and from Sunny Out to the Complex. Apart from Tower bend to Sunny In, still too dangerous for spectators, and the Pit Lane area, most of the circuit has trackside viewing. An open grandstand at Clervaux provides seats for those who do not want to wander. Ironically, a small, grass, landing strip, used for light aircraft, is situated alongside the circuit.