Tony Bagnall

Unfulfilled Dream: The Story of Motor Racing at Aintree Tony Bagnall

For eleven years, the world's leading drivers contested international races at the Aintree circuit on the outskirts of Liverpool. Fangio, Surtees, Clark, Moss, Hawthorn and many more were on the grid. The British Grand Prix was held there five times, along with many other major events at the venue that shared its ground with the famous horse-racing track. But in April 1964, the final Aintree 200 was run and the sights and sounds of Grand Prix cars were never to be experienced at Aintree again. Club and national level racing continued until July 1982, when it ceased altogether and there appears to be little likelihood of it ever returning. So what is the story behind the dramatic rise and fall of Aintree as a premier motor sport venue in Britain? How and why did motor racing come to be staged there? What caused its eventual demise as a circuit? This book explores the fascinating history of Aintree, before, during and after its all-too-brief reign as Britain's Grand Prix venue. Supported by around 200 rare photographs, many never before published, this book fills a significant gap in the history of post-war racing in Britain.