1986 - Birmingham Superprix - The F3000 race

The first Halfords Birmingham Superprix (25/08/86)

In 1985, the Birmingham City Council passed the Birmingham Road Race Bill, which allowed the Birmingham Superprix for Formula 3000 cars to be held on a circuit of closed streets near the city centre for two days during the August Bank Holiday. Previously, all motor racing on the public streets of mainland Britain had been outlawed (unless specifically allowed for in private legislation).

The first Superprix was held in 1986 and was subjected to torrential rain. After extensive delays, this first race was run to a reduced distance. This is a highlights version of the F3000 race.

The 9th race of the 1986 F3000 season.

Thank you to the Autosport magazine for plugging this video clip in their recent magazine.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 1986
• Halfords
• Birmingham
• Superprix
• F3000
• Formula
• 3000
• Luis
• Perez
• Sala
• Pierluigi
• Martini
• Michel
• Ferte
• crash
• rain
• Andrew
• Gilbert
• Scott
• accident
• Tommy
• Bryne
• spin
• Marcel
• Tarres
• Tim
• Davies
• Alain

[MrDavidfball]

tracks intact could still race has licence to do so only problem is pits area or lack of one

[lemanslegend]

@MrDavidfball

The Birmingham Road Race Act is still active, it is just a case of finding money to pay to set up the whole thing really. It is difficult with the current financial climate.

I agree about the pits and it is a tricky issue to solve.

[iantaylor155]

Some of the sections of the original track have been destroyed in an effort to make Birmingham nice.

[lemanslegend]

The original roundabout layout at the Halfords Corner is still there.

The first corner have changed a lot as there are a lot of traffic lights and islands on it.

The roundabout at the Ferodo Corner have been changed as the gravel was got rid of and put up a low wall to surround the roundabout.

The Redex Corner has been changed as there are a couple of crossing islands on it.

Elswhere the circuit is still the same but obviously the surrounding buildings have changed a lot over the years

[chriscoupe]

its commming bacK guys!!!

[lemanslegend]

People have been saying that since 1991!

[snuffythewomble]

This is a rare example of Birmingham city Council following its motto...Forward..great idea,and even though it was teeming with rain,the crowds turned out..It would be great to see the Road race return,although I believe Central TV had problems with the ITV network showing the race.

[jbutton113]

2:20 You have to be pretty unlucky to crash into the outside barrier there, you never see roads that wide in motor racing.

[GeriatricFan1963]

Because of the super safe society we live in. Curse it, nobody wants to have any fun anymore. :(

[GeriatricFan1963]

1:57 "...Nearly takes off leader Sala!"

Well... I've seen closer. Great circuit though, shame we live in such a conjested society, I doubt The Birmingham Superprix would be given a second thought these days.

[nationwidepenguin]

I can't believe someone retained this footage. I was just 18 at the time! It was brill, because the local 'pink' pubs used to have 'Gay Brumm Brumm' and offer cheap 'tennents extra' - I loved it.

[mastergsan]

WOW this is still remembered, i remember when representatives used to bring ear plugs to our houses weeks before the race!!, this was so awesome, brings back the memories/

[splatsters]

I lived on the circuit and as a kid growing up there was so much things to do when they was erecting all the beer tents and bridges hehe used to have fun on them bridges with the girls can remember all the races like it was yesterday, Used to sell pop from outside my house with my dad RIP dad

Great times

BRING IT BACK (

[mizzey79]

hi ya, im sooo happy u put this on. my dad took me to see this wen i was 7.

ive since mentioned it to my family but they dont remember being any racin in b'ham. after all these yrs i thought i'd dreamt it