Liverpool hosted the British Grand Prix five times over the years on the city's lost Formula 1 track.
In 1954 the UK's first and only purpose-built three-mile Grand Prix motor racing circuit was constructed around the landmark Aintree Racecourse. The circuit only took four months to construct after more than a year of issues with licences, roads, footpaths and parish councils.
The course cost around £100k to complete and was intended to be run anti-clockwise, just like the Grand National horse races. The first race in 1995 did run anti-clockwise, but experience showed the circuit would be safer run conventionally and it's been run that way ever since.
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The course is relatively flat contains a mix of long straights, medium-speed corners and a tricky left and right flick. The project was very well received as it had the bonus of grandstands and facilities.
The first ever race at the track took place on May 29, 1954, which resulted in a successful bid to host the 1955 British Grand Prix. Around 150,000 attended the race in 1955, where Stirling Moss, who as driving for Mercedes, won.
Aintree hosted five world championship Grand Prix races, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1961 and 1962 as well as several non-world championship Formula One races. Back in the 50’s the top drivers competed in several different types of car racing as well as the World Championship races and could even be seen racing in saloon or sports cars as well as in the main event.
The full three-mile Grand Prix circuit was last used in 1964 before being shortened, but car racing continued on the 1.5 mile Club Circuit right through until 1982.
Today, the circuit still hosts motorcycle races but car racing has been consigned to history. However, the Club Circuit is still used for the car sprints and track days run by Liverpool Motor Club whose members are determined to keep the venue alive for motorsport.
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