Smeatharpe airfield access
Discussion
What's the rules on this now, anyone know? I friend recently said that he took his son up there to learn to drive and the gate was open with an honesty box to pay a few quid and he just carried on.
I went past last night and the gate was open but no sign, no box or anything so I felt that it was best not to venture.
I've googled but nothing. Anyone been there lately?
I went past last night and the gate was open but no sign, no box or anything so I felt that it was best not to venture.
I've googled but nothing. Anyone been there lately?
I've never heard of it but it does have a website and a contacts page : http://www.blackdownrcfc.co.uk/contact
It used to be open all the time and free access to all. Thirty years ago my father used to take me there for some driving practice before I got my provisional licence. I think in recent years access has become somewhat limited following a number of illegal gatherings/raves on the airfield.
There are organised events occasionally and a local model flying club seem to meet there. Obviously the farmer is in and out regularly and doesn’t always shut the gate. Other than that I don’t know what the deal is. If you could find out who the landowner is then it might be worth a call, or go through the parish council maybe?
There are organised events occasionally and a local model flying club seem to meet there. Obviously the farmer is in and out regularly and doesn’t always shut the gate. Other than that I don’t know what the deal is. If you could find out who the landowner is then it might be worth a call, or go through the parish council maybe?
TrackDays use it apparently, maybe they could help with a contact.
https://www.trackdays.co.uk/driving-experience/sme...
https://www.trackdays.co.uk/driving-experience/sme...
Update 2 -
Manage to summon my Google-fu, and got in touch with someone who gave me the contact information for the owner of Upottery/Smeatharpe. Managed to get in touch.
The gist is this - if you'd like a space to learn or are a learner, no issues.
If you want to do performance driving, then you are no longer allowed to do so, as the council no longer permits it/only permits a select number of days. All these days for this year have been let already, presumably by the chaps at trackdays UK.
Might have had a change of ownership, I imagine.
And before you ask, saying that I'm "learning what happens when 700hp of Mercedes is chucked sideways round a taxiway" is not an acceptable answer.
Manage to summon my Google-fu, and got in touch with someone who gave me the contact information for the owner of Upottery/Smeatharpe. Managed to get in touch.
The gist is this - if you'd like a space to learn or are a learner, no issues.
If you want to do performance driving, then you are no longer allowed to do so, as the council no longer permits it/only permits a select number of days. All these days for this year have been let already, presumably by the chaps at trackdays UK.
Might have had a change of ownership, I imagine.
And before you ask, saying that I'm "learning what happens when 700hp of Mercedes is chucked sideways round a taxiway" is not an acceptable answer.
CyCy said:
Update 2 -
Manage to summon my Google-fu, and got in touch with someone who gave me the contact information for the owner of Upottery/Smeatharpe. Managed to get in touch.
The gist is this - if you'd like a space to learn or are a learner, no issues.
If you want to do performance driving, then you are no longer allowed to do so, as the council no longer permits it/only permits a select number of days. All these days for this year have been let already, presumably by the chaps at trackdays UK.
Might have had a change of ownership, I imagine.
And before you ask, saying that I'm "learning what happens when 700hp of Mercedes is chucked sideways round a taxiway" is not an acceptable answer.
Well thats disappointing news! Manage to summon my Google-fu, and got in touch with someone who gave me the contact information for the owner of Upottery/Smeatharpe. Managed to get in touch.
The gist is this - if you'd like a space to learn or are a learner, no issues.
If you want to do performance driving, then you are no longer allowed to do so, as the council no longer permits it/only permits a select number of days. All these days for this year have been let already, presumably by the chaps at trackdays UK.
Might have had a change of ownership, I imagine.
And before you ask, saying that I'm "learning what happens when 700hp of Mercedes is chucked sideways round a taxiway" is not an acceptable answer.
Tyre Smoke said:
So if you are teaching someone to drive, you can just turn up and do it?
Was the impression I got, but I'd consider calling first. I wouldn't put this gentlemans number out there for privacy, but I got it off https://www.southwestairfields.co.uk/CyCy said:
If you want to do performance driving, then you are no longer allowed to do so, as the council no longer permits it/only permits a select number of days. All these days for this year have been let already, presumably by the chaps at trackdays UK.
Doh, that's disappointing but not entirely unexpected.South Hams Motor Club runs a test day and autosolo there at the start of each year. I don't think you need competition licence for the test day and you certainly don't one for the autosolo (I did it this year in my 306!) It's a very cost effective way of getting some time on track.
Incidentally, for those further north/east there's also Weston Zoyland. I believe the landowner allows people to hire part of the old runway for a token fee.
Chris71 said:
Doh, that's disappointing but not entirely unexpected.
South Hams Motor Club runs a test day and autosolo there at the start of each year. I don't think you need competition licence for the test day and you certainly don't one for the autosolo (I did it this year in my 306!) It's a very cost effective way of getting some time on track.
Incidentally, for those further north/east there's also Weston Zoyland. I believe the landowner allows people to hire part of the old runway for a token fee.
Will chase this up - let me see what he says tomorrow!South Hams Motor Club runs a test day and autosolo there at the start of each year. I don't think you need competition licence for the test day and you certainly don't one for the autosolo (I did it this year in my 306!) It's a very cost effective way of getting some time on track.
Incidentally, for those further north/east there's also Weston Zoyland. I believe the landowner allows people to hire part of the old runway for a token fee.
Welcome to the worst webpage in the world...
https://grandfieldswestonzoylandmotoxt.epageuk.com...
But if you're close, it looks good fun. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grandfields+West...
https://grandfieldswestonzoylandmotoxt.epageuk.com...
But if you're close, it looks good fun. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grandfields+West...
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