Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Autowirral CROFT CIRCUIT FACING CLOSURE

Organisers at Croft circuit, near Darlington, fear that if a recent court decision is not overturned, the famous circuit could soon face closure.

A family living next to the track reportedly won a case forcing Croft's owners to pay £150,000 compensation, as well as an estimated £700,000 in legal costs. The damages were apparently for loss of quality of life that the family's barristers claimed had been caused by the noise of cars on the circuit.

Interestingly, the complaint was not about organised race events, which only take place on approximately 50 days each year, but instead regarded vehicle testing days and open track days.

Organisers at Croft fear that if this decision is upheld, many similar cases will follow, and the financial blow could prove fatal. An appeal against the decision was heard last week at the Court of Appeal in London, but as yet no decision has been reached.

Meanwhile, the family concerned also attempted to gain an injunction restricting activity at Croft to just 40 days-per-year. The judge is said to have refused this request, but the claimants are cross-appealing this decision.

Croft circuit grew out of a disused RAF base first raced on in the 1920s, before being used by the airforce again in World War 2. Since then it has grown into an world-famous racing circuit, hosting various club events, as well as British Touring Car Championship and British Superbike Championship rounds.

The circuit generates an estimated £3m a year for the local economy, with its visitors bringing activity to local businesses.

Dennis Carter, director of organising body Croft-Promo-Sport, told The Northern Echo: 'Our future really depends on what the court decides. I do not want to sound too alarmist because I would like to think we can still find a way through this. The people at Croft do a fantastic job for us and I would really like it to continue.'



Im guessing that as the circuit has been used since the 1920's these people have moved next to a race circuit then decided to complain!!!

Dont move next to a race circuit!!!! Idiots!

Croft is a fantastic circuit - I raced there for the first time last year and loved its layout...

Lets hope this ruling is overturned or it could spread throughout other circuits throughout the UK

I read about this the other day.

The thing is, they are completely happy with motorsport events, but theyre not happy with Testing and Track Days !!


Thats pathetic, as at the end of the day, a full BTCC event at Croft will provide a lot more noise than a Test Day.

If you dont like the sound of Racing Cars, DONT BUY A HOUSE NEXT TO A FECKING RACE TRACK !!!!!!!!!!!!


Someone did this with Oulton Park a few years ago. The Big House just past the main entrance, they bouht it, moved in, then complained about the noise. Almost as if they were oblivious to the fact there was a race track in their back garden.

Some people need to be taken outside and Shot..

I'd love to live there - they can swap with me if they like, then they can have all the peace and quiet they like!! Feckin' eejits!!

Dont be silly Jaci, theyd swap houses with you, then complain to the government that on a foggy day they can hear boats and their fog horns on the river.

Who in their right mind would Build a River next to some houses????

I wasn't complaining per se Just that I'd not heard them before and they were rather loud. It was silly o'clock in the morning too