Thundersprint Races

Six times World Champion and six times TT winner Jim Redman gets ready for blast off on the Thundersprint's truly unique track

All the races are run against the clock with only one rider on the track at any one time. Contrary to popular legend, the track is NOT in Marks and Spencer's car park but is part of Cheshire West Council's Baron's Quay car park. This is the biggest area of tarmac in the town which can be closed off to the public and used for racing.

Our Grand Prix in Car Park Circuit - a truly unique circuit.

"Closed off to the public and used for racing" is the key to why Baron's Quay is our home. Because of the militant nature of British law, it is impossible to use even a tiny section of public highway for any form of motorsport - bike or car. The laws were drawn up by Civil Servants totally opposed to any kind of motorsport and there is absolutely no tolerance or latitude - unlike most other elements of British law. All motorsport has to be conducted on "private" land. In our case, a car park which is controlled by our friendly local Council.

However, the situation is vastly better than it first appears because with the active and enthusiastic help of Cheshire West Council, Baron's Quay car park has been converted into a very interesting and demanding track which is both challenging for riders and provides good spectator viewing.

The Track:

Well, it's not long and that's for sure! The exact length measured down the centre line is 447 yards - 400 and a bit metres. The faster riders will get this down to under 440 yards by clever use of racing lines.

The important thing is that the surface is very good. Cheshire West Council have resurfaced most of the track and it is extremely grippy and porous - as good as any purpose built circuit.

However, smooth it isn't. Listen for the more powerful bikes spinning their rear wheels as they hop over the bumps.

The longest straight is 110 yards and this finishes in a 90 degree bend lined with a very solid stone wall. This is best avoided!

The key to a fast time is the Salt Mine Curve which everyone, from World Champions to club riders, agrees is much harder than it looks. The problem is that the turning point for the apex appears to be much, much earlier than it is in reality.

Salt Mine Curve has much, much later apex than appears at first sight.

The quick riders hang on very late, until they start to see the splinters inside the wooden fencing and then turn hard right and just kiss the straw bales on the right-hand side of the exit.

It's a big thrill to get this bend absolutely right and the reward is a much higher speed down the Ibbus Straight.

In some ways, this is one of the biggest thrills on the whole course. As riders hammer down the straight they are faced by a wall of cheering spectators and air horns and there's a real Roman amphitheatre feel.

Phil Read and the mighty Alto Performance "Vyrus" deep in the amphitheatre.

Even battle hardened Superstars are impressed and for the ordinary rider the experience is the nearest thing they will ever get to a Grand Prix.

The Classes

There are ten classes and these range from pre-war - made before 1939 - to pre-1978 50cc machines.

There is also a special invitation class for Motorcycling Personalities. In this you will find journalists, TV celebrities and a few modern, exotic bikes.

The classes are:

Masterclass:

The chance to see genuine World Champions on real factory bikes. You will never see motorcycling icons of the past like Jim Redman and Sammy Miller race anywhere in the world today - except at the Thundersprint.

Motorcycling Personalities:

TV stars, journalists, politicians all on modern bikes. You've seen them on TV, now they are all here in real life with one thing in common: they're bonkers about bikes! Watch out also for some guest appearances from modern star riders on board their factory machines.

European Champion Sammy Miller on his 1957 factory Gilera. An incredible bike and an amazing rider.

Pre-War:

Bikes that are old enough to be your Great Grandma being ridden hard with tremendous skill and enthusiasm. Often the most technically interesting machines at the Thundersprint.

Golden Age:

Bikes made before 1958 during the Golden Age of British motorcycling. Big, heavy, fast bikes making lots of noise.

Brian Glover and his magnificent Norton Dominator will star in the Golden Age class

Classic 250:

All machines in this class are manufactured before 1974. Always a very interesting class with the Japanese two-strokes going head to head with the British four-stroke machines. The highly tuned Brits do very well on the tight Thundersprint track.

Classic 350:

For pre-1974 bikes again. An interesting mix of British, European and Japanese bikes.

Polish visitor Tomasz Holubowicz and his incredibly rare 350 Junak. You'll go a long way to see one of these raced anywhere in the world!

Classic 500:

Mainly dominated by Japanese bikes with always a lot of entries from Suzuki T500s. These two-stroke twins have brutal acceleration and are ideal for the short Thundersprint straights.

Classic Unlimited:

Heavy metal music on two wheels. Loud, extremely fast and ridden very hard by the Iron Men of the Thundersprint. A must see class!

Paul Rushton and his mighty Metisse. Usually the fastest classic rider of the day and always the most spectacular!

Classic Lightweight:

125cc and 200cc bikes. Lots of really interesting bikes making fabulous sounds. The riders are the brain surgeons of the Thundersprint, riding with delicacy and finesse to achieve some fantastic times.

Ultra-Lightweight:

A rare chance to see 50cc bikes raced, because the class has long since been abandoned in Grand Prix racing. Engines like bees stuck in a jam jar, riders glued to the fuel tanks to cut down wind resistance and desperate last minute braking.

Sidecars:

Ian Waugh and Stuart Knowles slide their way through the trees

And last, but not least, the spectacular three wheeler class. Forwards, backwards, sideways but always with the throttle pinned. DO NOT LEAVE the Thundersprint until you have seen the "Barrow Boys" in action!