A locally-owned, BARC operated circuit with little in the way of fancy offerings, other than a superb venue. Mind you, until 2019 the track was drifting increasingly towards the wilderness and I had to adjust my lines to avoid the foliage sprouting between the cracks in the tarmac. My 2019 race weekend was the first with the new tarmac and what a good job they did.
I visited with my championship sans race car in August, 2021, so I was able to concentrate on gathering data and taking photographs. Unfortunately the weather was mainly overcast. The result is photographs that are, whilst adequate, in need of a future update.
Circuit Details
Croft Circuit
West Lane
Dalton On Tees
North Yorkshire
DL2 2PL
01325 721815
email:info@croftcircuit.co.uk
Technical
The technical information has been extracted from the Motorsport UK Yearbook 2023, becoming effective on 01/01/2023.
Length: 2.1 miles, 3.38 km
Number of Starters
Racing & Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc: 28
Racing & Sports Racing Cars up to 2000cc: 32
Other Classes: 40
Speed Limits
Paddock : 5 mph
All Other Areas: 10 mph
Pit Lane: 50 kph – 31.07 mph
Getting There
The above link provides a map and advice on how to access the circuit for competitors and spectators.
SatNav
Entering a post code into my satnav usually gets me there, but (as in the case of Croft, at the time of writing) not always, so I also include GPS coordinates with this guide. What3Words are also an increasingly useful addition. I try to find a w3w location with at least one word that is related to motor racing; I also try to find short words or a humorous sentence.
I have also provided coordinates and What3Words for a position within the paddock. This could be useful as a meeting point for guests.
Circuit Entrance Coordinates
- DMS: 54°27’37.08″,-1°33’13.78″
- DD: 54.46030, -1.55383
- What3words: ///coach.disco.flamed
Paddock Coordinates
- DMS: 54°27’30.10″,-1°33’24.03″
- DD: 54.45836, -1.55667
- What3words: ///brains.intensely.squeaking
Useful Links and Information
Google Map of Paddocks and Pits
Shop
How to monetise this web site is an ongoing issue, but I do not want adverts as all they do is add to the coffers of the internet giants while detracting from the contents of these pages. I also don’t use cookies, which are often perceived as a means of stealing visitor’s personal data.
The answer, for now at least, is Print-On-Demand merchandise. The diagrams that are on these web pages have been created by myself and so I own the copyrights. From them, I have created a series of merchandise that can be bought by visitors to these pages.
RedBubble was chosen after my being confused while investigating such sites. This was one that I could understand, but not fully and so more updates are expected. The prices were also far more sensible than other retailers, mainly due to postage not being from the USA.
Merchandise available includes:
- T-Shirts
- Caps
- Bags
- Pillows
- Mugs
- Coasters
- Mouse Mats
- Desk Mats
- Pet Mats
- Stickers
- Tablet and Phone Cases
- Clocks
- Badges
Marshal Posts
The above link provides comprehensive details on the marshal posts for this configuration.
Not all marshal posts are for the displaying of flags, whilst not all flag posts are necessarily in use. The minimum requirement is for each flag post having a clear view of the previous and following posts. The above link is to a page showing a large map of all flag posts on the circuit, along with a description of post.
It is important for the drivers to familiarise themselves with the location of all flag posts. This is usually done, for a race, on the green flag lap where drivers, having lined up on the grid in starting order, then set off and drive the circuit at a sensible and controlled pace that is set by either the pole-position person or a safety/course car. On that lap, every manned flag post displays a waved green flag, allowing the driver to memorise all positions. Memorising those posts in advance can be helpful. A similar display takes place for other sessions, such as qualifying, but the flags are only displayed long enough for cars that are released onto the circuit at the start of that session; latecomers need to have already done their research.
Track Limits
There are no track limits sensors on the exit of any corner, but the MSA rules still apply. Follow the above link to read of them. A summary is:
- The white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track. So are the kerbs.
- If any wheel wholly leave the defined part of the track (the white line or the kerb), track limits are exceeded.
- In qualifying, any offence will result in that lap time being disqualified.
- In a race, a second offence will result in a warning flag. Subsequent offences will be punished with increasing severity, culminating in the black flag – disqualification.
Paddock Facilities
The above link provides a tour of the paddock facilities, along with pit access, grid details and more.
There are three paddocks, A, B and C. They can be seen by clicking on the hyperlink above.
C Paddock is the closest to the entrance. On entering the venue and passing the security / pay booth, it is on the first right. For B Paddock, instead, take the first left immediately after the Assembly Area. A paddock is further in the distance. Just head for the garages that you will see in the distance.
Camping
There are no public camping facilities at Croft circuit, but they do allow competitors to stay overnight.
Showers and Toilets
There are toilet blocks in both A Paddock and B Paddock, whilst another is close to the circuit crossing. I have also seen portacabin-sized toilet blocks between C Paddock and the Assembly Area.
Showers can be found in the A and B Paddock toilet blocks.
Waste Facilities
There are no facilities for caravan toilet waste.
Oil Waste
There are two points for the disposal of waste oil:
- By the south end of the garage blocks in ‘A’ Paddock.
- At the beginning of ‘C’ Paddock. There is a set of lock-ups close to the Assembly Area. The disposal point is by the end furthest away from the Assembly Area.
Recycling
There are no longer any recycling facilities due to the fact people would not adhere to the instructions and the circuit was fined large amounts for contaminated skips.
There are no longer any recycling facilities due to the fact people would not adhere to the instructions and the circuit was fined large amounts for contaminated skips.
Electricity
A small number of electric points are at either end of B Paddock, Whilst I didn’t see them on my last visit, I understand that A Paddock also has a limited supply. Finally, the garages are electrified.
Water
Water can be found throughout the venue. The closest supply for C Paddock is towards the Assembly area, near to the runway entry.
Food
Only catering units are currently available. On my visit, as part of an unimportant club meet, the catering units were open and busy, so it is a reasonable guess, and just a guess, that they will be open for most meetings.
I went out for evening meals to a lovely local pub, just a lazy short drive or reasonable walk away (I’m ashamed to admit that I drove). The food was very well priced and so good that it deserves a link:
Croft are intending to build their own café over the coming closed season. Hopefully the Covid-19 issues will not scupper those plans; I’ll update this page as I learn of developments.
Spectating Points
The above link provides comprehensive details on all spectating points around the circuit.
Yet again, in producing this guide, I find spectating points that I never knew of. This time, not only do I learn of great spots most of the way to Tower Bend, but I also discover a marshal-controlled crossing point that leads to an in-field bank. This has great views of the cars as they race out of the ‘S’ Bend complex, round the hairpin and along the pit straight and then again as they travel the back straight from Chicane towards Tower.
Sadly, there are no viewing points for anywhere between Tower Bend and Sunny In, but a short walk from ‘A’ or ‘C’ paddocks leads to banked viewing covering the circuit from Sunny Out to the Complex.
Finally, back around the spectator crossing point is a banked area reserved for disabled parking.
On visiting the above link, a spectator map will be displayed, followed by a set of detailed photographs. The numbers displayed on the map correspond to the photographs.
Official Locations
| Signing On | Admin Block |
| Race Admin | This is the Admin Block. This is the Admin Block. It is located between the two garage blocks. From B Paddock, take the access road that travels the length of the paddock and keep going south into A Paddock. On reaching the first garage block, keep going, as Admin is at the end of it, before the next garage block. From C Paddock, go to the end of the paddock, where the Assembly Area is, and turn right. Ignore the immediate first left into the lower paddock. Pass the Scrutineering bay, on the right, and the next (second) left just after. The next (third) left leads to the top of the garage block and parking. Or, keep going to the end, where the access road curves to the left, leading directly to Admin, with parking either side. |
| Race Control | Admin Block |
| Clerk of the Course | Admin Block |
| Timekeeping | Admin Block |
| First Aid / Medical Centre | The medical centre is next to, and north of, the grandstand. |
Race Locations
This table summarises all the places a driver needs to take their car over a race weekend. The above hyperlink is to a page that provides more details, including photographs.
| Scrutineering | Looking at the scrutineering bay from the access road, the entry is to the right (north) and the exit is to the left (south). From C Paddock, go to the end of the paddock, where the Assembly Area is, and turn right. The Scrutineering Bay is ahead, on the right-side. From B Paddock, take the southern access road and the scrutineering bay is across the road, to the right of the junction. From A Paddock, join the access road and the scrutineering bay is to the left, just after the side junction for B Paddock. |
| Noise Test | Carried out on entry to the Assembly area. |
| Assembly Area | Besides and to the south of the grandstand. Circuit entry is at the apex of the first corner, Clervaux. The entry to the Assembly Area is opposite the access road that runs alongside the runway by C Paddock. |
| Parc Ferme | Exiting the final corner, the pit lane entry is almost immediately on the left. Drive past the two garage blocks and parc ferme is just ahead, to the left, with two yellow lines guiding the driver in. |
| Pit Lane | The pit entry almost immediately follows the final corner of the circuit, the right-handed hairpin. Marshal Post 19 is opposite the pit entry lane and is usually involved in flagging in participants at the end of a race or session, or during a red flag. The pit lane speed limit is by the start of the first brick building, and so is reasonably straightforward to spot. The speed limit is normally 50mph, can be reduced to 40mph, so be aware. |
| Starting Grid | The start line is situated about centrally along the pit lane. It is alongside the admin block, between the two garage blocks. The starting lights are ahead, alongside the third garage. For most meetings, competitors can see the starting lights, but there is a repeater located at the hairpin. |
Petrol Availability
Petrol is not available on-site. The closest, time-wise, from the circuit is Texaco station. The nearest Shell station, which I believe sells 98-RON petrol is around twenty minutes away.
North Cowton Service Station
North, 3.1 miles; around 6 minutes
North Cowton,
Northallerton.
DL7 0HB.
Toll Bar Garage
East, 4.7 minutes; around 7 minutes
Entercommon,
Northallerton.
DL6 2JA.
ATM (Shell High Brough Moor)
West, 11 miles; around 18 minutes
Middleton Tyas,
Richmond.
DL10 6PB.
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Page updated by Peter Tattersall, August 2024