Cadwell Park Spectating

A very demanding and hilly circuit in the heart of Lincolnshire, Cadwell Park is a venue not to be avoided. For the driver it is very challenging and even the fastest needs to take care, as the author is all-to aware. For the spectator, it can be spectacular, especially watching the more powerful beast take to the air on cresting The Mountain.

Mike, Norman and Elspeth celebrate a third place, in 2017.

I haven’t visited Cadwell Park since starting my guides therefore, in writing this, I’m going from memory.

Spectating is only available from the outside of the circuit, but that does cover most points, from the grandstand along the start/finish straight, all the way to Hairpin. There are three grandstands, all offering great viewing and there are also tighter spaces alongside the Clubhouse.

Cadwell Park is very hilly, especially for the spectator. It is extremely steep from the paddock down to the Clubhouse and the grandstands. Having said that, I have had a wheelchair-bound guest visit me on several occasions and she coped admirably; whilst stoically may be a more accurate term, Elspeth thoroughly enjoyed her visits.

Photographic Guide

1. The Clubhouse From the paddock, the Clubhouse is down a steep hill and is opposite the Assembly Area. It runs alongside the entry to Halls Bend, giving a great view of the cars as they approach from The Mountain top. From the Clubhouse, one can walk through the woods getting views of the track, both restricted and excellent, along the way.
The entrance to the Clubhouse is opposite the Assembly Area. To the right, spectators are watching the action by Hall Bends.	Look to the right and you can see the circuit access for drivers joining from the Assembly Area. In the background is the exit from The Mountain.
Looking to the left and you can see the entrance to Hall Bends. Here, cars can be seen being hustled as the driver extracts every ounce of performance.	At the far side of the Clubhouse, opposite the entrance and alongside Hall Bends, is this viewing area which can be enjoyed with a hot meal. Further on can be seen a children’s play area.
2. Hall Bends This section runs alongside the twisty and technical Hall Bends. All parts of it offer slightly different viewpoints to learn how the fastest drivers extract their performance.
From the Clubhouse, this path runs alongside Hall Bends.	An adventure playground for the children in opposite Hall Bends.
Carrying on, one almost feels that they are in the countryside.	Before returning to the edge of the circuit for more action.
3. Hairpin A lot of action can take place here, with heavy braking and a tricky turn-in. With no run off, risks should be minimised, with skill to the fore.
After Hall Bends, the spectating area opens up, with a path still running by the circuit and a bench to rest weary legs.	Getting all the way to the Hairpin takes a bit of effort.
Cars approaching the Hairpin.	The furthest viewing point in this direction is well worth the effort.
4. Route to the Mountain Top Grandstand From the Hairpin, return to the Clubhouse, then walk up the hill and turn left so that you are passing above the Assembly Area. This route takes you past Scrutineering and offices, towards a toilet block. There, turn left and head down the hill to the grandstand.
Having walked past Scrutineering and offices, look left and you will see the podium to the left of this photograph, and the grandstand to the right.	The toilet block can be seen to the right. Alongside it are fresh water taps. There is a big sign above the motorbike guiding spectators down the hill to the grandstand.
This is a great place from which to watch the action and is so close to the paddock. To the right is another grandstand. Separating the two grandstands is the circuit exit road, where cars return back to Parc Ferme or the paddock.	No standing allowed here, as spectators watch the action into Hall Bends.
5. Second Grandstand It is a bit of a trek to get from one grandstand to the other, as you need to walk back to the entrance where the toilet block is opposite. The turn right and be wary of drivers returning from the circuit as you walk across and back down the hill.
Return to the entrance to the first grandstand, then walk across the road, being careful of drivers returning from the circuit, and pass through the gates.	Turn left and head down the hill to the grandstand.
Very close views of cars negotiating the Mountain.	A more distant view of the entry into Hall Bends.
6. Mountain Bottom There’s a little extra walking involved, and you cannot sit on a comfortable plastic seat, but the views are great. From watching the circuit exit lane, through to watching right by the edge of the circuit as drivers fight for grip, maybe jiggling the rear end of their beasts, maybe challenging of defending. It’s all-action.
A good place at the end of a race, where you can applaud your favourite driver.	A good view of the second apex at the bottom of the Mountain.
Cars heading up the Mountain.	The approach to the Mountain, looking back. The bridge is the crossing point to get to the other side of the circuit.
7. The Bridge To get to the grandstand or viewing areas overlooking the start/finish straight, it’s a long drive or an even longer walk. Or it’s a short trek over the bridge. There are limited, but pleasant, viewing points from the area either side of the bridge, with toilets also close by both.
The approach to the crossing allows limited spectating, with a toilet block seen to the right.	The climb to the toilet block.
Having crossed the bridge, turn left to head down to the grandstand, as in this photograph, or right for Coppice and then Charlies 1 and 2.	The view towards Coppice.
8. Start/Finish Straight Grandstand A popular place to watch from, where spectators can watch the start of the race, any pit action and the finish. There is also the race-long slipstreaming that generates lots of overtakes and the action going into, through and up The Mountain.
Just close enough to make the most of the start, while able to watch cars exiting Barn and rise The Mountain.	The view towards Coppice.
The excitement of The Mountain.
9. Start/Finish Straight Embankment On a hot, sunny day, this is a great place for the family to watch the racing, while having a picnic.
From opposite the pit exit, looking towards the spectator crossing.	The furthest point for spectators, giving views of the exit of Barn.
Now high up, again giving views of the exit of Barn, along with pit entry.	More viewing from high up.
10. Coppice From the pedestrian bridge, turn right and uphill towards Coppice. This path, which provides views of the circuit, opens into the furthermost parking area.
From the grandstand, head back up the path, passing by the bridge.	The path maintains views of the circuit.
The path opens into parking and views of Coppice.	Watching the action at Coppice.
11. Charlies 1 Having walked this far, all uphill, the spectator deserves a rest.
Approach to Charlies 1.	The apex of Charlies 1.
Plenty of parking around the marshal post.	Not much space if there’s heavy traffic but, for club meets, there is plenty of room.
12. Charlies 2 / Park Straight The exit of Charlies 2 is critical because of the long, slightly bendy straight. Initially downhill, then bottoming out and rising sharply, this is a slip-streamer seemingly designed for the spectator. From Charlies 2, a pair of binoculars will clearly show regular passes into Park, confirmed as the cars return through Gooseneck. Careful though, it can get windy this high up.
Charlies 2, with distant views of Park and, to the right, the return via Gooseneck.	From the exit of Charlies 2, looking towards Park.
From towards Park, looking back at Charlies 2.
13. Park From this area, the spectator can see all the way down to Charlies 2 and along to Chris Curve. Plenty od overtaking is generally on offer into this corner.
Watching from the entry to Park.	Looking at the apex, from opposite the apex.
Due to the high-speed nature of this corner, extra protection is afforded to the spectators. It’s still easy enough to see the action.
14. Approach to Chris Curve Disabled Viewing On first entering the circuit facilities, turn right and right again, arriving at a parking area by the entry to Chris Curve. Here, you will see an area reserved for the disabled. Cadwell Park have provided a great place from which to relax and enjoy the action.
Continuing our journey from Park, the disabled spectating area is ahead, on the right.	The disabled spectating area.
From the disabled spectating area, looking back towards Park.	From the disabled spectating area, looking towards Chris Curve.
15. Chris Curve Exit From the disabled spectating area, continue onwards. The entrance will be seen to the left, with Chris Curve to the right. Continue to the right into the next viewing zone, which is the return trek to the paddock.
From the disabled spectating area, the entrance is ahead, to the left.	The entrance is to the left. Turn right to head towards Gooseneck.
Chris Curve.	Alongside Chris Curve, looking towards Gooseneck.
16 Gooseneck From the Gooseneck, if tired (or, like a certain racing driver author, late), it’s just a short walk (or shorter run) back to the paddock. The longer route back is to continue this guide’s route. Watching cars approach and turn into Gooseneck can provide a good indication of how fast a driver is, while a little further around a corner, cars can be watched heading
From the Gooseneck, it’s a short walk across the fields to the paddock.	Gooseneck entry.
Looking back to Chris Curve as cars approach Gooseneck.	From Gooseneck, one gets an idea about how steep the hill is down to Mansfield.
17. Mansfield It is a very steep downhill approach to Mansfield, followed by heavy but delicate braking. It’s easy to lock up, or go wide on the exit, and very rewarding to ace it. There are a lot of mistakes for the spectator to enjoy. Not so enjoyable can be the mistakes out of Gooseneck, with a minor misjudgement potentially resulting in heavy damage against the armco.
Partway down the hill from Gooseneck.	Mansfield apex.
Mansfield exit.	Having exited Mansfield, heading towards the spectator crossing bridge.
18. Mansfield to the Bridge Not the most scintillating point on which to end our tour, but that’s more a reflection on the rest of the circuit. With views from Mansfield’s exit through to the bridge, and of the run through Coppice and Charlies 1, it’s a good place to stop.
Mansfield exit.	The run to the bridge, bypassing the chicane that is used by the bikers.
Approaching the spectator bridge.	Looking across at Coppice and Charlies 1.

Page created by Peter Tattersall, March 2024