Silverstone And The History Behind The Names

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The race track is infact 72 years old but the Formula One Grand Prix is 70 years old as this was the first ever race under the F1 banner as we know it today.

When we listen to the television commentary we hear the names of the bends, but have no idea why they are called that. I know Silverstone was a World War 2 airfield base for bomber command as the track is inland. Fighter pilots would be based near the coast to prevent enemy bombers coming into attack strategic targets.

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1948 showing the airfield and a rough idea of the track.

When the Royal Aotomibile Club International took a one year lease on Silverstone in 1948 little did they know that it would become the home of British racing. A chap by the name of James Brown was given 3 months to create the circuit and was still employed by Silverstone race track when he died in 1988. They really didn't have to do that much as there was a basic circuit with runways and taxi ways interlinking. A few buildings had to be removed so spectators could view the racing, but otherwise very little was invested. There were over 100 000 spectators for that race and the sport took off after that. In 1950 over 1.3 million spectators attended the first World Formula One race race ever and why there was a 70th Anniversary of Formula One this year.

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Over the last 70 years a few things have changed on the circuit making it safer and a little more challenging. The names remain the same with a few additions since those early days.

Turn 1. Known as Abbey named after Luffield Abbey. When doing some minor alterations to the course remains of the Abbey were discovered.This dates back prior to 1133 and was demolished in 1493 by King Henry V1.

Turn 2. Farm turn is named as it was the turn closest to the farm that used to be there. Not very original but gives you the history of the place making it a little more real I suppose.

Turn 3. Village turn is in recognition of Silverstone village which lies north of the circuit. Every year the 2000 odd residents are swamped with 100 000's of spectators over the 4 days of the event.

Wellington Straight. Named after the Wellington Bombers that flew at this airfield during World War 2. This part was also a former runway for the planes.

Turn 4. Brooklands has no historical meaning to the silverstone site and is named after the historic Brooklyn race track which hasn't been used since 1939. Today it is used to show off vintage racing cars.

Turn 5. Luffield which is part of the Loop as it is more commonly known by and taken from the name of the first corner being Luffield Abbey.

Turn 6. Woodcote is not really a turn but a gentle bend. Named after the stately home the RAC owned in Surrey. Looks like they were already running out of names and were thumb sucking.

Turn 7. Copse was the original first bend of the circuit for nearly 60 years. Some say it is due to the woodlands and countryside around the circuit it is called copse paying tribute to that fact. There s a Cheese Copse and a Chapel Copse nearby.

Turn 8. Maggotts is named after Maggot Moor which is nearby yet the spellings do differ and possibly was a typo and was never corrected.

Turn 9. Becketts is named after the medieval Chapel of St Thomas à Beckett and built in memory of the murdered Archbishop of Canterbury. This was demolished in 1943 to make more space for the airfield.

Turn 10. Chapel from the same as Becketts as this was the demolished Chapel.

Hangar Straight. One of the fastest sections of the track that went past the aircraft hangars that were once here housing the Wellington Bombers.

Turn 11. Stowe corner is named after Stowe school which is situated close by to the corner of the circuit. Not very original I know but you can't have historical monuments at every turn lol.

Turn 12. Vale. Many believe the name comes from the slight rise and drop in this section of the track. Vale is a valley so another thumb suck possibly.

Turn 13. Club is named after the RAC's clubhouse in Pall Mall,London. The Golden Trophy awarded to winners of the British Grand Prix is only for show as it is handed back immediately and is returned to their Head Quarters for safe keeping.

There are a total of 18 bends or turns in the circuit where some like the Loop don't really have a name and take it's name from the shape. Other bends named have multiple turns like Luffield and Club, but are still part of the same section of track.

I doubt if many tracks around the world have so much history going on with Abbeys and Chapels along with a military airfield. Most of the circuits today are fairly modern and have been built in the last 20 years. The older circuits that couldn't be improved for safety reasons due to lack of space have fallen by the wayside. Safety and a decent run off area are paramount today as in days gone by deaths on the racing circuit was fairly common.