Situated between Canterbury and Dover lies the ‘Home of Rallycross’, Lydden Hill. A circuit which will take the driver through tricky wet off-road sections, followed by beautifully smooth tarmac; it really does have something for everyone. I recently attended the 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill to get a proper taste of what the fans experience. Firstly, what is Lydden Hill?
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The History
The official beginnings of Lydden Hill begun in 1955. Bill Chesson, an ambitious circuit owner, alongside the Astra Motor Club founded Lydden Race Track (would later be renamed Lydden Hill.) They had rented the land from Farmer Skinner. We are able to go back even further, to 1947, where a motorbike race was held at the then grass circuit. During the 50’s and early 60’s, Lydden Hill was largely used for racing on to wheels and sidecars. Bill Chesson had eventually bought the land from the Farmer in 1962 where he began to lay the foundations down for the race track. The track was beginning to be used as a road race for bikes.
Now being practiced on in car racing, Lydden was creating a name for itself. Names like James Hunt, the 1976 F1 World Champion, won their first race in a Formula Ford at Lydden Hill in 1968, just 8 years before. It was in 1967 however, when Lydden Hill really landed its first hit on motorsport. Combining slick tarmac and off-road elements, Rallycross was born. To this day, the Kent based track continues to host rounds of the British Rallycross Championship.
The FIA World Rallycross Championship is returning again in 2023 after its hiatus after the 2014-2017 run. It only seems right for the Home of Rallycross to host the Great British round once again.
The Views of Lydden Hill
Quoting a review left on Lydden Hills website, the track is “probably one of the best circuits in the world for visibility.” Whether you are standing by the Paddock Bend, watching the cars stream out as they warm up their tires with screaming burnouts. Or, if you’ve positioned yourself right at the top of the North Bend, observing the cars running up the hill, drifting around the tight apex and shooting back down. No spectator is left regretting their choice.
When entering the track by car, you can park up on the field right opposite the Dover Slope. This means even when you want to take a sit down break in the car, or the weather has taken a turn for the worst, you still will be held to excellent views of the racing.
Many fans will bring their camping chairs with them. The track surroundings has a relaxed feeling to it, so it is common for groups to set up their own little area and relax with the racing. During my recent event visit, all fans had access to the paddock. This allowed everyone to get up and close to the cars and drivers. The access that everyone is given gives it a very welcoming feel.
The Racing
I attended the 5 Nations British Rallycross Championship recently so I could indulge myself in the experience of the track. Cars were on track from 9-6, offering a full day of racing. Starting with some practice sessions, cars ranging from a pimped up Suzuki Swift driven by a 13-year-old driver, to an incredibly fast VW Beetle that has also been driven by the likes of Jenson Button.
The racing began after separate qualifying heats. The main benefit from Lydden Hill being a mixed-surface track is that different drivers will find their strengths depending on what surface they’re on. A driver who may find speed on the loose dirt could find themselves losing time to a driver whose speciality is in tarmac surfaces. The fans are always in for a mix up of racing, overtakes and spinners.
Spectators are always wondering when a driver is going to take the joker lap. The joker lap is a longer piece of track (like an extra chicane) that a driver must take once per race. They can take this at anytime. The strategy involved as to when to take this is what brings a lot of excitement to the racing.
One of Britains all time Greats
GoodWood includes Lydden Hill in their greatest British racetracks list. Unfortunately, many modern racing enthusiasts aren’t aware of the importance and greatness of Lydden Hill. To be completely honest, it is hard when you are in the same category as circuits like Silverstone, Brands Hatch (another Kent based track), and Donington Park.
Lydden Hill is not only importance in British Motorsport, but in motorsport all together. Being the birthplace of a new form of motorsport in Rallycross is something that Lydden Hill holds close to its heart. The return of FIA World Rallycross Championship this year clearly shows that Lydden Hill is regaining the attention it deserves.
It will always be one of Britain’s all time Great Racetracks.
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