Monument record 8630/2 - Silverstone Motor Racing Circuit

In 1948 the airfield was converted into a Grand Prix Formula 1 motor racing circuit, initially utilizing the runways and perimeter track. The use of the runways was abandoned in 1950. Some minor alterations to the track were made in 1987 but in 1991 it was substantially changed with a new layout. In 2002 the wartime control tower still survived as an office of the British Racing Drivers Club.

{1} Silverstone Circuit is built on the site of a World War II bomber base, RAF Silverstone, which opened in 1943. The airfield's three runways, in classic WWII triangle format, lie within the outline of the present track.

Once World War II had ended in 1945, Britain was left with a number of redundant airfields but without a major race track. The Royal Automobile Club was interested in Silverstone as a potential site and approached the Air Ministry in 1948 and a lease was arranged. At this time the centre of Silverstone Circuit was a farm producing cereal crops and also a piggery, so the RAC employed farmer James Wilson Brown to create the first Grand Prix circuit at the site, and gave him just two months to build it.

Silverstone is now best known as the home of the British Grand Prix, which it first hosted in 1948 and which has been held on the circuit every year since 1987. The circuit is also the home of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC). The BRDC became a major force in international motor racing, taking over the lease of Silverstone from the RAC in 1952 and subsequently purchasing the site's freehold from the Ministry of Defence in 1971.

The first two races were held on the runways themselves, with long straights separated by tight hairpin corners, the track demarcated by hay bales. However for the 1949 International Trophy meeting it was decided to switch to the perimeter track. This arrangement was used for the 1950 and 1951 Grands Prix. In 1952 the start line was moved from the Farm Straight to the present Finish Straight, and this layout remained largely unaltered for the following 35 years.

For the 1975 meeting a chicane was introduced to try and tame speeds through the mighty Woodcote Corner, and Bridge Corner was subtly rerouted in 1987 before the track underwent a major redesign between the 1990 and 1991 races.

Evidence of RAF Silverstone is scarce but the original control tower survives as the HQ of the BRDC.

{2} In 1991, major refurbishment included a new stadium area between Abbey and Woodcote as well as new sweeping curves instead of the Old becketts Corner.

<1> 2011, Our Transport Heritage - Heritage Locations - Silverstone, (checked) (Website). SNN107349.

<2> Silverstone, Our History [Accessed 28/03/2024] (Website). SNN116271.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:17PM