Cadwell Park is a motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, south of Louth, owned and operated by MotorSport Vision, a business associated with former racing driver Jonathan Palmer.Contact Us, Cadwell Park at MotorSport Vision Limited Retrieved 11 August 2015 Sited on former parkland across a steep-sided valley with dips and crests, the circuit features sharp changes in gradient, including one section called The Mountain where bikes can become airborne by up to several feet. Its mix of challenging corners has led to its nickname as the Mini-Nürburgring.Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire - NG Road RacingCadwell Park - British Superbikes official website
History
Located in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Cadwell Park was established in by Mr Mansfield Wilkinson of Louth. His sons originally used the land for racing their own motorbikes against each other.
Originally the gravel-drives of the country estate measured , with tarmac and concrete being added in 1938, with widening and lengthening in 1953, and lengthened again in 1961 with the addition of the Donington Curve.Britain's Top Circuits, race circuit guide, 1966 hard copy (free supplement with Motor Cycle), Accessed 2 May 2015
In 1953 the track was lengthened to , upon the invitation of the 500 cc motorcycle-engined Formula 3 to race in a traditional bike meeting. Around 30,000 spectators attended that particular race.
The track grew to the current layout in 1962 and hosted the British F3 series the next May. Some of the bends are named after family members e.g. Mansfield, Charlie and Chris.
Cadwell Park circuit was acquired by MotorSport Vision (MSV) along with Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, and Snetterton from The Interpublic Group of Companies subsidiary Octagon in January 2004. Octagon previously acquired prior owner Brands Hatch Leisure plc in November 1999. MSV immediately implemented a programme of improvements to the venue, designed to heighten customer experiences both for spectators and competitors.
Racing usage Competitively, Cadwell Park is primarily used for motorcycle racing, with the British Superbike Championship round being the biggest event on the circuit's calendar, held during an August weekend each year. In 2010, it hosted an additional BSB meeting on the weekend of 22/23 May.
Cadwell Park occasionally features in the British Superkart Championship calendar, having last done so in 2021. A new circuit lap record for any vehicle was set by driver Sam Moss in that year.
The circuit's track width is now generally considered too narrow for high level car races, although Club motorsport associations such as the BARC, HSCC and 750MC still hold meetings.
Current events
In addition to the August round of the British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park also hosts two major historic events with the Vintage Sports Car Club's annual festival and the Wolds Trophy covering the post-war period.
The Vintage Motorcycle Club is a regular visitor, with the popular Modified Live car show event also on the calendar. The Cadwell Park season typically ends with stage rallying and fireworks.
During the week the circuit offers general test days and track days for cars and motorcycles, and can also be hired out for private use.
Other usage Several tests and feature clips for the motoring program Fifth Gear have been filmed here. They frequently feature racing driver Tiff Needell.
In April 2009, musician and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason flew into the circuit by helicopter to drive his £1.5 million Ferrari 512.Pink Floyd's Nick Mason at Cadwell Park on Wednesday - Louth Leader
In June 2015 the circuit was used as part of the course for pedal-cycling's British National Time Trial Championships.
Some racing scenes for the 2013 film Rush were filmed at Cadwell Park.
Top Gear used the circuit for a feature, aired in 2020, featuring former Formula One driver Damon Hill pitted against the regular Top Gear presenters, testing a Porsche, Aston Martin and Ferrari.Cadwell Park’s ‘Top Gear’ episode airs this weekend Louth Leader, 19 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2021
Stock Car racing During the 1960s and 1970s, BriSCA Formula 1 Stock Cars attracted big crowds to Cadwell. The gradient changes added excitement to the racing, as stock car drivers were accustomed to racing on flat oval tracks of shale or tarmac; and likewise their cars' suspensions and gearing were set up for short flat ovals.
Race lap records
As of August 2026, the fastest official race lap records at Cadwell Park are listed as:
CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent Full Circuit (1961–present): Superkart 1:21.036 Sam Moss Anderson CSK 2021 Cadwell Park British Superkart round Formula 1000 1:21.130 Richard Mitcham F1000 2010 Cadwell Park F1000 round Formula Three 1:23.490 Enrique Mansilla Ralt RT3 1982 Cadwell Park British F3 round Sports prototype 1:39.000 Tony Dean Ferrari Dino 206 S 1968 Cadwell Park Special GT 2.0 round Formula Libre 1:44.000 Brian Hart Lotus 22 1962 Cadwell Park Formula Libre race Motorcycle Full Circuit (2004–present): Superbike 1:25.472 Bradley Ray Yamaha YZF-R1 2025 Cadwell Park BSB round Supersport 1:28.267 Jack Kennedy Honda CBR600RR 2025 Cadwell Park BSS round Sportbike 1:31.715 Harrison Dessoy Triumph Daytona 660 2025 Cadwell Park British Sportbike round BMW F900R Cup 1:33.662 Bobby Varey BMW F900R 2026 Cadwell Park BMW F900R Cup round Club Circuit (1961–present): Sports car racing 0:55.400 Tony Lanfranchi Elva Mk VII 1963 Cadwell Park sports car race
Track records Lap RecordsDriverCarTimeSam MossDivision One Superkart 1:21.036Richard MitchamJedi MK61:21.138Thomas GaddJedi MK6/7 (750MC)1:21.899“July_2024_750 MotorClub_Results”Jeremy TimmsDallara F301-Suzuki (Monoposto Mono1400)1:21.979Shaun BalfeRadical SR81:22.50Tim GraySpire GT3 (750MC Bikesports)1:22.82Jimmy Broadbent Praga R1 1.23.562Enrique MansillaMonoposto F31:23.572Monoposto Racing Club - Mono F3/Robin LiddellRadical Prosport1:25.49Lee AtkinsRadical SR41:29.04Russ StephensRadical Clubsport1:29.36
References
External links
Motorsport Vision: Cadwell Park Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info Radical SR8 smashes Cadwell Park Fastest Lap A lap of Cadwell Park (video) Matt Bell's SR3 Lap Record (video) Div.1 Superkarts: Carl Hulme at Cadwell (video)