Birmingham Superprix
Superprix Circuit (1986–1990) | |
| Location | Birmingham, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°28′13.31″N 1°53′59.3″W / 52.4703639°N 1.899806°W |
| Opened | 25 August 1986 |
| Closed | 27 August 1990 |
| Major events | International Formula 3000 (1986–1990) British Touring Car Championship (1988–1990) Thundersports Series (1986) |
| Superprix Circuit (1986–1990) | |
| Length | 3.974 km (2.469 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Race lap record | 1:22.910 ( Roberto Moreno, Ralt RT21, 1987, F3000) |
Birmingham Superprix was a motor racing meeting held on a street circuit in Birmingham city centre, England, from 1986 to 1990. The principal event was a round of the FIA Formula 3000 Championship, but support races included BTCC and Thundersports Series rounds, as well as sports car racing.
History
Early days
The idea of a motor race in Birmingham city centre was proposed in local council meetings as early as 1966. Birmingham City Councillor Peter Barwell and businessman Martin Hone advocated for the event despite initial opposition.[1] While Stirling Moss received council permission for a race in 1972, the event did not materialize. A demonstration run was eventually performed by Patrick Nève in a Brabham BT45 around the Bull Ring in 1976.[2]
In November 1984, the council submitted the Birmingham Road Race Bill to the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The bill was approved in April 1985 and received royal assent in October 1985, providing the legal framework to close public roads for racing.[3] The inaugural event was scheduled for the August Bank Holiday in 1986, featuring Formula 3000 as the primary category.
1986
The first SuperPrix took place on 25–26 August 1986, under heavy rain caused by the remnants of Hurricane Charley.[4] The race was shortened due to delays and ultimately red-flagged on lap 24 after a collision involving Andrew Gilbert-Scott and Alain Ferté.[5] Luis Pérez-Sala was declared the winner, with Pierluigi Martini and Michel Ferté completing the podium. Half points were awarded as the race had not reached 75% distance.[4]
1987
Held on 30–31 August 1987 in sunny conditions, the second event saw Stefano Modena claim victory.[6] Roberto Moreno finished second after starting from the pit lane, while polesitter Maurício Gugelmin finished third.
1988
The 1988 event was marked by two race stoppages. The first followed a major accident involving David Hunt, whose car struck a building after a collision with Claudio Langes.[7] A second stoppage occurred when a trackside crane attempting to recover Russell Spence's car obstructed the leaders. Roberto Moreno won the restarted race. Due to these delays, the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and several support races were cancelled to comply with the strict road-opening times mandated by the Road Race Act.[7]
1989
Jean Alesi won the 1989 race after a closely contested battle with Marco Apicella.[8] Martin Donnelly, whose car was heavily damaged in a qualifying accident with Éric Chéli, finished third in a repaired car lacking its full sponsorship livery.
1990
The final SuperPrix was held on 26–27 August 1990. Eric van de Poele won the F3000 race, in which only 11 of the 30 starters finished.[9] The BTCC race was successfully completed and won by Andy Rouse in a Ford Sierra RS500.[10]
Circuit
The Birmingham SuperPrix circuit was a 2.47-mile (3.98 km) street course located south of Birmingham City Centre.[4] The circuit ran in an anticlockwise direction, with the start-finish straight located on the A38 Bristol Street.[11] The pit area was situated on the forecourt of the Bristol Street Motors Ford dealership, with team garaging housed in an adjacent multi-storey car park.[4]
From this area, the circuit crossed the A4540 ring road before heading east toward the Belgrave Interchange. The cars took the southern part of the roundabout as a chicane before dropping onto the Belgrave Middleway dual carriageway. This section led to a hairpin at the Haden Circus roundabout, named Halfords Corner after the title sponsor.[3]
The track then returned via Sherlock Street and Pershore Street to a 90-degree left-hand corner onto Bromsgrove Street. This corner was the site of a multi-car collision during the 1988 F3000 race involving David Hunt and Andy Wallace, which forced a race stoppage.[12] The lap concluded with a narrow bridge crossing a pedestrian underpass before returning to the Bristol Street straight.[3]
Lap records
The fastest official race lap records at the Birmingham Superprix Circuit are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superprix Circuit: 2.469 miles (3.974 km) (1986–1990) | ||||
| F3000 | 1:22.910[13] | Roberto Moreno | Ralt RT21 | 1987 Birmingham Superprix |
| Group A | 1:35.700[14] | Robb Gravett | Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth | 1990 Birmingham BTCC round |
See also
References
- ^ "Birmingham Superprix". britainbycar.co.uk. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Brian Burford (2 June 2014). Kelly Moran: A Hell of a Life. The History Press. p. 147. ISBN 9780752472546.
- ^ a b c Authi, Jasbir (23 August 2012). "Superprix: When the engines roared in Birmingham". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d Taylor, Simon. "The Birmingham SuperPrix". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Birmingham Superprix 1986". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Birmingham Superprix 1987". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ a b Walker, Murray (30 August 1988). "Moreno masters the Birmingham streets". The Guardian.
- ^ "Birmingham Superprix 1989". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Race result: FIA Formula 3000 Int. Championship – Season 1990". Speedsport Magazine. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "1990 BTCC – round 10 – Birmingham Superprix". Touring Car Racing History. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Walker, Murray (25 August 1986). "Racing on the Streets: The Birmingham Experiment". The Guardian.
- ^ "Birmingham Superprix 1988". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "1987 Birmingham F3000". Motor Sport Magazine. 31 August 1987. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
- ^ "BTCC 1990 » Birmingham Superprix Round 10 Results". 27 August 1990. Retrieved 7 December 2022.