Motor Racing at Oulton Park in the 1970s

In the 1970s, Formula 5000 was more than filling the gap left by contemporary F1 cars, and the major races at the popular Cheshire circuit of Oulton Park – the Gold Cup and the traditional Good Friday meetings – were as spectacular and exciting as ever. New events such as the Avon Tour of Britain brought occasional visits from established stars such as James Hunt and Graham Hill competing alongside Roger Clark, Billy Coleman and other great names from the world of rallying. Meanwhile, in Formula Ford and F3 the stars of the future were to be seen. World champions to be, Alan Jones, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet raced regularly at Oulton, as did future F1 team owners Eddie Jordan and Tom Walkinshaw. Stir into the mix saloons, single seaters and sports cars vying for glory in a growing number of national championships and one-off club races, and you have the recipe that kept Oulton Park at the forefront of British motor racing. The new, shorter Foster’s circuit, introduced in 1975, meant more laps per race and more action for the spectators. The pictures in this book capture the era perfectly and bring it back to life. With 100 colour and B+W photos, many previously unpublished.