Image: Rockingham Grandstands September 2004 - CC By 4.0 BWard 1997 via Wikimedia
Corby, Northamptonshire, once thrived as a steel production hub, but as the steel industry dwindled, a new chapter began with the creation of Rockingham Motor Speedway. The transformation from an industrial town to a motorsport venue is a tale of vision, determination, and eventual decline.
Peter Davies' Vision
Peter Davies, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, saw potential in the land of a former quarry and steel production facility. Acquiring the land in 1991, Davies aimed to build a test-track facility. His vision expanded into creating a full oval racetrack, inspired by his visits to iconic American tracks like Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The track was designed to feature a squared-shaped oval with banked turns and a road course utilizing part of the oval.
The Struggle for Funding
Securing investment proved challenging. Despite Davies' efforts, including selling his prized car collection to fund initial construction, progress was slow. The clock was ticking; if construction didn't begin within five years, Davies would lose his right to build. With time running out, Davies and a small crew managed to start basic construction just in time to retain their planning permission.
A Major Investor and a New Name
The breakthrough came when Davies connected with Guy Hands, a prominent investor. After two years of negotiations, Hands joined the project, bringing significant financial backing. With Hands' support, the project's momentum increased, and the name was changed from Deene Raceway to Rockingham Motor Speedway, leveraging the nearby Rockingham Castle and the name recognition of an American NASCAR track.
Construction and Opening
Construction accelerated in 1999, with notable investor Gerry Forsythe joining the effort. By January 2001, the track was officially opened, with a grand celebration in May attended by Queen Elizabeth. The venue featured a main grandstand, open-air bleachers, executive suites, and comprehensive fan amenities, accommodating over 52.000 spectators.
Initial Success and Challenges
Rockingham Motor Speedway hosted the CART Champ Cars for the Rockingham 500 and the ASCAR series, attempting to bring American-style stock car racing to the UK. Despite these high-profile events, the track faced significant challenges. The layout, with its long straights and low-banked turns, was awkward. The surface was prone to water seepage, and financial issues loomed large. The high cost of securing Champ Car races was difficult to offset with ticket sales, and attendance dwindled over time.
Leadership Changes and Financial Struggles
As construction concluded, Davies was ousted from the project he had pioneered. New leadership under David Grace, appointed by Hands, took over. Despite initial enthusiasm, the financial viability of the track remained precarious. Attendance figures fell, and key series like Champ Car moved to other venues. By 2006, new ownership tried to diversify the track's use, incorporating track days, corporate events, and other racing series, which temporarily improved profitability.
The End of an Era
Despite efforts to revive its fortunes, Rockingham Motor Speedway could not sustain long-term success. Racing activities ceased in 2018, and the track was sold to Constellation Automotive Group, which repurposed the site as a car storage facility. The once-thriving motorsport venue became a massive car park, with its racing heritage relegated to memories and occasional YouTube videos by urban explorers.
Legacy of Rockingham
Rockingham Motor Speedway's journey from conception to closure is a testament to the ambition and challenges inherent in transforming industrial land into a motorsport venue. While it brought a brief period of excitement and racing to Corby, financial hurdles and changing priorities led to its demise. Today, Rockingham stands as a symbol of what could have been, a reminder of the delicate balance between vision and economic reality in the world of motorsport.
Source: Car Racing News