Croft – A Short History

When the Canadian 419 Squadron left Croft Aerodrome at the end of the 2^nd World War they could not have imagined how the base would be transformed. Where once the drone of lumbering bomber engines filled the air there was soon to be the thrill of racing engines and squealing tyres.

In 1947 a group of enthusiasts from the local Darlington & District Motor Club ran a time trial over a circuit laid out around the three runways. As time passed changes to the layout were made to use the perimeter roads to make a two mile circuit with 6^th May 1950 seeing a selection of predominantly road going saloons and sports cars taking part in a 5 race programme. Two weeks later and the Club hosted an over subscribed motorcycle meeting watched by 3000 spectators.

By 1964 Bruce Ropner and group of local businessmen had purchased a large part of the Aerodrome and the 1.75 mile Croft Autodrome came in to being. The first event, the Daily Mirror Trophy Meeting, was held on 3^rd August of that year. A precursor for the fondly remembered Battle Of Britain Race Meetings, the event featured action of two and four wheels. The inaugural race for Touring Cars was won by R H Smith in a Lotus Cortina and he took home the princely sum of £40 for his efforts. Also racing were Graham Birrell and, soon to be notorious at Croft, Andrew Barton. Looking through the rest of the programme names that were to become synonymous with Croft included Jonny Blades, Chris Meek, Johny Calvert, Alan Minshaw (of Demon Tweeks fame), Keith Schellenberg, Colin Appleyard, Mat Hobson, Ron Turnbull and Joe Applegarth.

The following years saw a regular programme of events with the highlight being the annual Battle Of Britain Race Meeting attracting massive spectator attendances, In addition, the International series of Group 2 saloons and Formula 3 began to visit with many of the sports top competitors gracing the grid including James Hunt, John Surtees, Denis Hulme, David Hobbs, Vic Elford, Frank Gardner, Chris Craft and many more who would only mean something to those of a certain age!

In 1968 Rallycross was born and ITV World of Sport based themselves at Croft for their regular Saturday afternoon of live motorsport. Unfortunately a Fuel Crisis in 1974 brought Rallycross to a halt, (although most of us believed that it was the then Circuit Manager, L R Dixon-Cade, who wanted the winter off) until 1982 when George Shield reintroduced the sport to Croft.

During the 1970s the International events ceased to use Croft but a very strong Northern Club Racing scene developed with many of the competitors becoming local legends. Regular on track battles between saloon car exponents such as Andy Barton, Sedric Bell and Alex Clacher in the small saloons and Doug Niven, Johny Calvert and Derek Huntley in the larger versions along with Mike Rheinhart, Bill Wood and the same Andy Barton in Formula Libre. The growing Formula Ford contingent through up competitors like Peter Harrington, John Simpson, Mick Starkey and Dave Manners not to mention the late David Leslie.

But it looked as though the storm clouds were gathering. By 1980 we were all too aware that Croft’s days were numbered. The death of a member of the Ropner family meant that something had to go to finance death duties and Croft became the most saleable asset. Unfortunately, that meant it returning to farm land and the end of motorsport – or so we thought.

The autumn of 1981 was very depressing. The recognisable motor racing infrastructure such as the Club House, Control Tower and Bridge disappeared. However behind the scenes members of Darlington & District Motor Club were trying to speak to the landowner, Bill Chaytor, unaware that local farmer, George Shield and his business partner, Wally Richmond, were already well on their way to agreeing terms for a Rallycross circuit to rise from the ashes and Croft Circuit was born.

The early days saw a very long track utilising much of what is considered to be the front half (or Eastern) of the race circuit but this gradually developed in to what became one of the most popular Rallycross Tracks in Europe. Through hard work and determination Croft became synonymous with the sport and attracted all the major teams at a time when Rallycross was at the height of its popularity. Twice the Internations Cup was held at Croft with ten countries sending teams and of course the European Rallycross Championship with Martin Schanke, Jean Luc Pailler, Sepo Nittimaki, Matti Alimaki et al. With up to 9 events a year many local competitors prepared cars often starting in the Colway Tyres class, a Croft led initiative, and progressing to the BTRDA and then the MSA British Rallycross Championship. Many National favourites and Champions cut their teeth on the fast and demanding ‘Too Tough To Tame’ track including Tony Procter, Mark Rennison, Michael Shield, Tony Bell, Tony Bardy, Kevin Pease, Roger Newbould and many more.

In the meantime, Bill Chaytor’s daughter Kate had married and along with husband Trevor Chaytor-Norris and local businessman Jimmy Wilson had a desire to see Croft back at the top of British motorsport. Work started on bringing the still intact race circuit up to modern day standard and on the weekend of 27^th & 28^th May 1995 the circuit reopened to circuit racing. And so the new era began. An extension to the track, along with a completely new pit complex and garages, allowed Croft Circuit to gain an International track licence bringing the British Touring Cars, F3, British GT and British Superbikes to the North East and with it a considerable boost to the local economy.

Unfortunately, as has been well documented, local noise issues have reduced the number of operating days and created a threat to the Circuit’s future. This triggered off a Facebook campaign gaining 17500 members in a very short space of time. It is hoped that the forming of The Croft Supporters Club will help put a real face to the inherent support that the Circuit has and help give back something to all those for whom Croft is their home circuit.

Terry Wright