disused airfields

[craigw]

I have been told that there are disused airfields that you can drive on ?? I don't mean organised track days, just big open spaces to get to know my car a little better and drive fast? Any ideas?

[mel]

The only one I've come across was up near Stansted at a place called Wimbish it was next door to an Army camp and you could get onto it with a bit of ingenuity (It basically had earth and concrete barriers to stop the pikeys making camp on it) The problem was though that it hadn't been used for 50yrs and the surface had broken down with big potholes, weeds, cracks etc etc. basically the worst surface you can imagine. There is no way in the world I would give the Griff some on it as the risks are too high the best I would have taken on it would be a trials bike. I think you'll struggle to find anything with a decant surface.

[PetrolTed]

You can do organised days for as little as £75...

[craigw]

thanks guys, I'm not adverse to organised days, its just that myself and 3 friends all with fairly fast cars want to go on and do some straight line racing, check out handling etc etc. (generally just be a bit sillier than on the road!)

[Nightmare]

there's always strip 1 at a place called 'Heathrow' - I think that might suit...? A more serious possibility...there are loads of old strips up at Blackbushe (Hants) I think you can get on them as well (certinaly used to be able to - havent been there in many years)

[.mark]

If anyone does find anywhere in the South could they post it here as there is another interested party. With full approval from the Wife too - who incidentally wants to have a couple of runs herself!

[craigw]

Blackbushe seems to be an operational airfield, could be interesting, wonder if we'd be faster than the cesnas down the runway!!

[MikeE]

Blackbush is only a couple of miles from me. As a kid I used to go there to watch the drag racing (I witnessed the first UK based 200mph run). Don't think they've had drag racing there for 10 years though. However they do have a huge open air market there every Sunday morning, so yes whilst it's an oporational airfield they also have peripheral bits which you may be able to use. Oh yeah, there used to be a certain (Cerbera "Car" driving) 1980's singer who flew (and alledgedly crash) his aircraft out of there...... Mike.

[dans]

there used to be one at rattlesden in suffolk. Old flying fortress base, so bloody miles of runway, last time is saw it it was being used by gliding clubs occaisionally, otherwise it was deserted, and in the middle of nowhere.

[stig]

Check out http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/06airfields/uk.htm this lists all the disused airfields in the UK. However, just 'cos they're not used for aircraft doesn't mean that they've not been sold/redeveloped. Bedford is listed as being disused for example whereas in reality, Jonathan Palmer has redeveloped the site. Still, let me know if you find one! http://www.locost-racing.com Car No. 13