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WWII Airfield Roared Back to Life for Motorsport
8 Jun
Summary
- RAF Gransden Lodge hosted Britain's first post-war motor race.
- The airfield was chosen due to its condition and runways.
- A deal between RAC and Silverstone ended casual airfield races.
British motor racing made a dramatic return on June 15, 1946, at RAF Gransden Lodge, a former WWII airfield near Cambridge. This event marked the nation's first post-war motor race, as existing tracks like Donington Park and Brooklands were unavailable. Cambridge University engineering students, seeking a venue, identified Gransden Lodge for its suitable runways and perimeter roads.
Securing permission involved bypassing official channels, with Air Commodore David Atcherley granting the permit without consulting the Air Ministry. A 2.3-mile anti-clockwise circuit was established, featuring a variety of cars and drivers who would later become prominent in motorsport. Reg Parnell won the Gransden Lodge Trophy that day.
While Gransden Lodge hosted another larger event a year later, a new RAC policy in 1948 effectively banned casual races at airfields, favoring Silverstone. This policy shift ended Gransden Lodge's role as a racing venue, though its pioneering efforts are seen as a template for Silverstone's development.
