Hawkstone Park History Lesson By Jack Burnicle

During the second half of the twentieth century, the history of Hawkstone Park was almost inextricably entwined with the British 500cc Motocross Grand Prix. 21 such contests raged round the rough, tough sandstone circuit, the first during the inaugural year of a European Championship in 1952.

Hawkstone Park also hosted half a dozen dramatic 250 GPs in the 1970s and ’80s, two 125 GPs in 1976 and 1989 and, more recently, has concentrated on an outstanding early-season international established in 1999.

But the venue actually started life as a pre-war hill-climb back in 1938, run by the quaintly-named Crewe and Nantwich Light Car Club! The winner was the driver who made it furthest up the awesome hill which remains the single most breathtaking feature of the track to this day.