It’s now September, which means we’re almost upon the end of another glorious summer. While the warm temperatures might still be felt by some, the feeling of dread in the air is unmistakable. The kids are back in school, and so are the after-school activities. The days are getting noticeably shorter, which in turn means fewer hours of daylight. The air is getting a bit chilly, too.
If you’re looking to make the most of the last bits of sunshine, how about a trip to Canyon Speedway in England? The circuit is one of the few remaining venues that offer an alternative to motor racing fans who might feel the need to rush home after the races. A trip to the bank to deposit points for the UCI Road Racing World Championships wouldn’t be an unusual proposition for the average person, but it’s not everyday you can make such a trip simply to attend a racing event.
Canyon Speedway originally opened as a motor racing venue in 1937 and has remained an important part of British motorsport ever since. The track is most famous for its high-speed banked turns and unique paddock and grandstand setup. It’s not often you’ll find an English track with an American feel to it, but that’s what makes Canyon Speedway such a special place. In fact, many of the cars that used to race at the track – including the legendary Blue Riband winning MG MB – are now on display inside the Mallory Sports Museum.
The track is owned by motor racing legend Tony Mallory, who was instrumental in the development of Formula 1. In addition to being the owner of the track, Mallory also constructed the racing circuit, designed the track layout, and often came up with the names of the races that take place there. Mallory’s family still owns the track, now run by his two sons Tim and Chris. Since Tim’s retirement in 1995, the family have concentrated on expanding the collection of historic racing cars and helmets that they hold. There are now eight rows of seats set against the inside of the banked turns, and the Mallorys hope to one day build an expansion to the grandstands to accommodate up to 2,000 people.
While the temperature may be dropping, the passion for motorsport is certainly not. That’s probably because there’s still so much to learn from the greats of yore. With that in mind, here are some useful tips on how to get the most out of your visit to Canyon Speedway:
Pick The Right Time
The best time to visit Canyon Speedway is during the week, as the track is rarely open on a Wednesday or Thursday. The downside is that there aren’t any events scheduled on Wednesdays or Thursdays, which means you’ll most likely have the place to yourself. The track hosts special events on Saturdays and Sundays, such as vintage racing and motorcycle derbies, which is why it’s advisable to visit on a weekend. However, if you find yourself in England during the school holidays, consider making a day out of it and spending the night in a hotel.
Be Prepared For Bustling Activity
The downside to regularly attending motorsport events is that they’re not easy to find time off work for. Especially if you’re a working class person looking for some leisure time, you’re going to have to make the most of your days off. That means getting up early and having to rush to make sure you get to the track in time for practice or an event. Be sure to bring some work clothes with you, in case you get stuck in traffic or want to spend a little bit of time at the track. You’ll also need a working umbrella, just in case you get rained on. You won’t be able to identify all of the turns or the complex layout of the track from the outside, so it’s smart to drive or walk around it a few times before the event starts. That way, you’ll know exactly where you’re going and what features to look out for.
Learn The Location
Doing anything in England is difficult without knowing the location. Even if you’ve been there before, you’ll most likely be lost without a map or GPS. The good news is that Canyon Speedway is located in the middle of nowhere, which means there aren’t any street signs or houses in the near vicinity. The address is simply a post office box in the tiny market town of Todmorden. You won’t miss it though, as it’ll be the only box in the town with a mail delivery every Tuesday and Thursday. The only other people who live there are the postman and his wife, who consider it their patriotic duty to ensure that everyone in the area knows exactly where the box is. Luckily for you, we know exactly where it is.
Get To The Track Early
One of the best things about Canyon Speedway is that you can walk there from the north entrance. The downside to this is that it takes about 30 minutes to an hour to walk to the track. The best way to get there quickly is to take the train from Carlisle to Hawkesbury Park. The next stop is called Chorley and takes about 15 minutes. From there, you can walk toward the stadium. This way, you’ll be there in plenty of time for practice or an event, without missing a thing. However, if you want to explore the rest of the town, take the bus from the station instead. It’ll drop you right outside the stadium.
Eat What The Locals Do
This may sound crazy, but many places around the world consider road food to be a local specialty. Since there aren’t any restaurants or food trucks there, you’ll most likely be limited to what the locals eat. Fortunately, there’s a fantastic fish and chip shop just across the road from the stadium. The fish is locally caught, so you’ll know it’s fresh. Plus, the chippies there are known for putting the English fish through a spicy Indian sauce that brings the classic British dish to a whole new level. It’s really the perfect way to end a long day at the track. Just make sure you order some Indian beer to go with it. It’ll complement the fish brilliantly.
For something a little different, how about trying the local goat salami? Not exactly sure what it is or looks like, but rumor has it that it’s quite popular. You’ll find it wrapped in foil in the tiny corner shop near the entrance. If you don’t have time for a full meal, then how about a chocolate milk? It’s not exactly what you might call a proper meal, but it’s an easy way to get some carbohydrates and calories to burn during those long practice sessions or circuit races. You don’t need to stop there though. There are plenty of other options such as a pie or a pita wrap, which is what you might find at a typical bar or coffee shop. It’s all about what you’re comfortable with as a budget and what fits your needs best, as everything around the track is cooked in petrol stations before being served.
Take A Walk Down Memory Lane
Since its inception, Canyon Speedway has been a major part of Tony Mallory’s life. Even today, nearly 80 years later, the track is still owned by his family, and he spends a lot of time there. As well as being the place where Mallory forged his legendary motor racing career, it’s also the place where he spent many happy hours with his family. The mallorys have had many memorable moments there and still hold regular reunions with their friends and family. One of the best things about Canyon Speedway is that it allows you to rekindle some of those golden moments from your own past. You’re only a few miles from Hebden Bridge, which is where you can find the Mallory Sports Museum. While it’s not open to the general public, the families of those who raced there in the past are allowed to visit on certain days. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in England during the school holidays, you could get a special tour of the museum and relive some of the joys of growing up in the golden era of British motorsport.
Make It A Night Out
If you’re looking to make the most of your time in another country, why not try and make it an educational experience? There are plenty of museums, art galleries, and other attractions in England that you could visit on the cheap or for free. Most museums offer free entry on the last weekend of each month, which makes it a perfect opportunity for you to explore a new place and make the most of your time there. Plus, it’ll be light enough so you won’t feel too tired for the game the next day. Making the most of your vacation is half the fun. So, instead of rushing home after your vacation, take the opportunity to go on an adventure. Make the most of those long summer days and try something new.