Birmingham Wheels

Second City Racing

Birmingham Wheels Park is another track consigned to history.  Or is it? As at the end of 2023 the proposed change of use for the land apparently is no further forward than when the facility closed in 2019.

If my memory is correct, the West Midlands Probation Service originally ran the amenity.  Its purpose was to provide an outlet for young offenders with talents that focused on the cars and their mechanics.  They were given the chance to tinker with engines and compete away from public roads. Hence, the original title of Birmingham Wheels Adventure Park.

Along with the short oval racetrack was a karting circuit.  I visited this on a few Sunday mornings in the late 90s but as it never generated interest with my son, it was a short-lived dalliance. Again recollections are that it was a decent circuit, and I’m sure it was a great family day out for those so inclined.

One thing I wasn’t aware of until looking into the park’s background was the existence of the UK’s only purpose-built outdoor speed-skating arena.

The Arrival of BriSCA F1

Friday 7 April 1989 saw the Birmingham Wheels Park gates open to the BriSCA F1 brigade.  Peter Falding 33 took the honours in the meeting final to go with a win in his heat.  The tarmac racing surface was 330 metres.  Somewhat unusually the back straight was spectatorless. The external wall of the arena ran close to the track fence.  As a result there was insufficient space to provide a passage way never mind terracing.

Gallery Folders

The new Birmingham Wheels folder concentrates on the semi-final meeting from August 2006.  A camera wasn’t a regular attendee at meetings.  This was down having to avoid the back  of peoples’ heads while trying to negotiate the catch fencing.  Also, generally my cameras wouldn’t cope with the light, or lack of, on night racing.

While updating the gallery other additions include:

• Further images from the 1986 world final with Stu Smith taking part in a white shirt and tie.
• The Skytrain jet lorry at Coventry.
• A few more pictures from the 1987 world final.
• New photos from Aycliffe along with a reshuffle of folders.

News Flash

Since writing the above section, local news says Birmingham City Council has put forward plans to transform the land and buildings into warehouse, storage and distribution space.  It seems that the slim chance of the track surviving is now even more remote.