Forgotten Race Tracks - Birmingham Superprix - The UKs Monaco

#Superprix #Birmingham #Abandoned

Street racing in Birmingham... no, not the financed whips seen in Maccers car park... but actual legit street racing right in the middle of one of the UKs busiest cities.

What an amazing idea... in this episode, we learn of how the Birmingham Superprix came about and look at what remains of this old, abandoned and perhaps forgotten race track.

If like me, you enjoy motorsport, history and looking at pieces of tarmac... you'll love "Forgotten Race Tracks" where we take a look at some of the old and abandoned race tracks around England.

From Drag strips to Formula 1 circuits, in this short series, we'll be investigating what remains of Britain's motor racing history.

[deaks]

It's 2023, I have lived in Birmingham since 2008 and I had absolutely ZERO idea that this had been a thing. Heck, I know those roads really, really well because I drove them daily for about a decade! This is why I love the channel.

[tjshill]

Could you imagine trying to get planning for such an event these days. Would never happen! I’m even quite surprised they went ahead with it in the 80s. Fascinating video

[flyc]

If you visit during the Spring, you can see the words ‘Birmingham Super Prix’ spelt out in crocus just opposite from Bristol Street Motors. Another reminder of this great event. Great video btw!

[caesartheii]

I've been through "Halfords Corner" many times and I've always wondered why part of the roundabout is paved, very good video!

[crunchyfrog]

I went to two SuperPrix and loved them. They were really good and not ony did I see some great racing like Martin Donnelly doing his thing, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable time. One really lovely Indian guy used to have his own little stall offering prathas cheaply. They were suitably great. Wish we had more like this.

[scooboy]

Brilliant vid, i remember those Sierra Cosworths racing around there on tv. It was mesmerising

[dabogeyman]

Yes see all them cozzies, back when Touring car was on another level

[andykilvington]

The depth and accuracy of your research does you proud. Well done mate. Impressed!

[jondrizzle]

Awesome those rs500s absolutely ripped around there definitely one of the best races to watch from the best era of Motorsport

[stevedavis]

Odd link, The final music is the theme to Red Dwarf. Craig Charles used to Play Dave Lister in Red Dwarf, he also presents The Gadget Show which is recorded in The Custard Factory, Digbeth which is a stone's throw from the circuit.

[samuelrasool]

Best video I've found for this circuit

[jimififul]

Went to all of them. Absolutely brilliant!

[andrewgardner]

Was awesome watching the TVRTuscans, Honda CRXs, touring cars and single seaters -My mates were students in Birmingham and lived within 1/4 mile from the roundabout hairpin(Halfords corner)

[LotCARS]

Excellent, loved the Crossroads intro 😃I'd totally forgotten about this circuit. I had a couple of free tickets and attended, I think it was in 1986. Was a great day out and going by train there and back was a brilliant way to avoid the traffic.

[timsully]

“The Monaco of the Midlands”…Just brilliant 🤣😂😅

Intriguing tale. I must confess, I had no idea this existed and clearly completely missed it when it was on. Shame it didn’t survive, but I guess Halfords Curve just doesn’t evoke the same romanticism as Casino Square 🤷🏻‍♂️😊😉

[jonnieunix]

My first job was working in a factory on Sherlock Street in 1988. I used to get the Bus into town to Bull Street then walk across town, during the Superprix the Armco barriers made getting to and from work rather a challenge, even for my younger more nimble self. I never did get to see a race as I left the city latter that year, however I do recall you could hear it from our house in Ward End and it pissed it down in the first year on the back end of Hurricane Charlie.

[skithewhitestuff]

I had forgotten about this racing event. It was nice to hear the voice of the great Murray Walker again.

[chrispenn]

Thanks for this - I remember watching the Superprix back in the 80s (on TV). I think another factor in its demise may have been the weather! Seem to remember it peed down two years a row? Most drivers around Birmingham still think they are in the :-)

[Oliver-lc]

I still smile every time I drive around Birmingham and see the remaining evidence of the circuit. I didn't know about those Armco mounts though

[patentlyrubbish]

Thanks for this, I grew up in Brum in the 80s and saw the first race televised. It was quite something to see the race cars going along streets I actually knew. I thought everyone had forgotten about it...!