Airfield at Appleton Thorn(Warrington)
Discussion
Just got off the phone with Malcolm, and he did indeed mention it to me earlier this year as a possible venue for running his car. But unfortunatly, nothing has come of any of his investigations atm 
He's even been around the area asking the locals. There is a story that a local lady has a right of way over the airfield, and that she wont allow anything to take place there as it will negate her right of way. That sounds plausible I suppose
He's even been around the area asking the locals. There is a story that a local lady has a right of way over the airfield, and that she wont allow anything to take place there as it will negate her right of way. That sounds plausible I suppose Looks good, always on the look out for somewhere www.6thgearexperience.com. Going to ask around.
cw42 said:
holy moly! that place is crying out for developement as a circuit! 
Development costs as a race circuit would be prohibitive however as a potential trackday and sprint course it could well have great possibilities.I am sure I could find experienced clubs who would be pn;y too happy to run spints on the venue and help with running the trackdays as well.
Sprintman said:
cw42 said:
holy moly! that place is crying out for developement as a circuit!
Development costs as a race circuit would be prohibitive however as a potential trackday and sprint course it could well have great possibilities.I am sure I could find experienced clubs who would be only too happy to run spints on the venue and help with running the trackdays as well.
Several North West Car Clubs have been trying to get onto "Stretton" airfield (as it used to be known) for some time. We couldn't seem to find out who had the lease. It was originally a Fleet Air Arm base and although constructed during WW2, it was never used in anger. Whilst the M56 now cuts across the site, the south side perimeter roads and main runway are all still intact.
Shell used it for fuel testing trials for many years, and they had quite a bit of the site resurfaced about 10 years ago. It has also seen use as a Police Dog training base, not sure if they still use it though.
The last firm that I can find that had the lease was Wardle Transport of Warrington, but I believe they went bust a few years ago. I last made contact with Shell in 2005 (via a friend of a friend who worked at the Thornton [Stanlow] research centre) but they didn't want to discuss the venue, merely saying that they were still using it.
We tried talking to the local council, and there's another problem! The Warrington boundary crosses the site, so whilst they were sort of lukewarm about its use for motorsport, the rest is in Cheshire & they were most definitely not interested. Seems they have too much trouble with noise complaints at Oulton to get involved in another site. Cheshire CC said it would impact on historic (& privately owned) Arley Hall which is a mile to the South, but since we ran a stage of the Lombard Revival Rally at Arley 2 years ago, I can't see them objecting!
I eventually gave up (head vs Brick Wall issues!).
As all this info is somewhat historic, things may well have changed by now. It could be a great venue as it's right by the M6/M56 junction and there aren't many houses (on the south side of the M56 anyway) and with the amount of traffic noise from the adjacent Motorways I can't really see how anyone could object to it being used for motorsport. There would be access problems in Appleton village if the main approach was at the West of the airfield as traffic would passs through the village (right past a school & the prison). It may be possible to develop the main site access at the East (M6) end of the venue instead.
It may be worth asking Lancs & Cheshire Car Club to see if they are still trying to get onto Stretton..... If anyone (with a pot of cash) manages to get things moving, Liverpool Motor Club would be interested in hearing about it.... I'm the Chairman!
Shell used it for fuel testing trials for many years, and they had quite a bit of the site resurfaced about 10 years ago. It has also seen use as a Police Dog training base, not sure if they still use it though.
The last firm that I can find that had the lease was Wardle Transport of Warrington, but I believe they went bust a few years ago. I last made contact with Shell in 2005 (via a friend of a friend who worked at the Thornton [Stanlow] research centre) but they didn't want to discuss the venue, merely saying that they were still using it.
We tried talking to the local council, and there's another problem! The Warrington boundary crosses the site, so whilst they were sort of lukewarm about its use for motorsport, the rest is in Cheshire & they were most definitely not interested. Seems they have too much trouble with noise complaints at Oulton to get involved in another site. Cheshire CC said it would impact on historic (& privately owned) Arley Hall which is a mile to the South, but since we ran a stage of the Lombard Revival Rally at Arley 2 years ago, I can't see them objecting!
I eventually gave up (head vs Brick Wall issues!).
As all this info is somewhat historic, things may well have changed by now. It could be a great venue as it's right by the M6/M56 junction and there aren't many houses (on the south side of the M56 anyway) and with the amount of traffic noise from the adjacent Motorways I can't really see how anyone could object to it being used for motorsport. There would be access problems in Appleton village if the main approach was at the West of the airfield as traffic would passs through the village (right past a school & the prison). It may be possible to develop the main site access at the East (M6) end of the venue instead.
It may be worth asking Lancs & Cheshire Car Club to see if they are still trying to get onto Stretton..... If anyone (with a pot of cash) manages to get things moving, Liverpool Motor Club would be interested in hearing about it.... I'm the Chairman!
http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/whereiliv...
Been following this for a while .... Great track, great location (motorway network), very few local residents.
Are we all in support of it ?
Been following this for a while .... Great track, great location (motorway network), very few local residents.
Are we all in support of it ?
bromers2 said:
Mate was there a couple of days ago noise testing a LP640 and his Stradale - passed with flying colours - more noise from the motorway.
Agreed completely that there'll be more noise from the motorway. Rational arguments don't seem to apply though... Just look at Donington for example!Anyway, I'd be interested in supporting it and would certainly give someone doing CarLimits type driver training on my doorstep some business
It looks ideal for a track day, lower cost alternative to Oulton and much nearer home than Bruntingthorpe. I'd be interested.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=stretton+airfield&...
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=stretton+airfield&...
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