Birmingham Wheels Park
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Birmingham Wheels Park (formerly Wheels Adventure Park) is a dedicated Wheeled-sports park with short-track oval motor racing circuit, MSA approved kart circuit, drifting arenas, off-road rally stage and the UK's only purpose built outdoor speed-skating arena. It is based in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham, England. Formerly run by a ,[1] and controlled by Birmingham City Council. It is now operated by Motor Racing Live Ltd. [2]
History[]
The park was initially run by the .[2]
The Stockcar Racing arena is a 330 metres (1,080 ft) oval, with spectator terracing surrounding two corners of the circuit along with the home stretch. Built with a cinder surface, after the Birmingham Brummies speedway team finished[when?], the track was red with tarmac. Until 2019, racing events on the oval track were run by Incarace,[3] Since 2020, the Track survived an attempt at being closed by Birmingham City Council [4] and the oval racing operations were taken over by "Promotasport International" (PRI) [5] for all ages from 6ys old and upwards.
This is just one of six diverse arenas onsite - each hosting a different (or several different) wheeled sports. The venue aims to create social capital through sporting excellence and many national and international champions started their skating or racing careers at the Park.
Community projects[]
Speed skating[]
Birmingham Wheels has a speed skating track which is a community based project and is supported and funded by the licensees and tenants of the venue. It encourages children to 'get off their computers and engage in active and wholesome exercise'.
Sensory garden[]
There is a sensory garden on site for people to come and experience the smells and textures.
Community Payback[]
The site is the base for the current Community Payback Team for the central Birmingham area.
Motorsports hosted at the venue[]
Many different classes of motor sport and training facilities are held on the site by the licensees and tenants of the park, these include;
Drifting[]
The sport of drifting was first hosted at the venue in 2006 when Japanese professional drifters came to the UK and held events to promote the sport. Since then the city centre venue has hosted practice, training and competitive events hosted for local, national and international drivers. In 2012 Drift Allstars saw Irish drifter Alan Sinnot take 1st place podium from Australian driver Luke Fink after his tyre came off mid battle in front of a sell out crowd. Luke would later return to the UK and help create and host at Birmingham Wheels Raceway, what was at the time, the largest prize money event within the sport, The UK Drift Grand Slam. A new format of competition was born at the raceway, moving away from the traditional qualifying and top 32 battle, in order to help the grass roots drivers gain more experience and make for a more entertaining spectator event, Drift Knights now hosts events where drivers enter into a round robin competition in order to qualify for the top 32battles. Birmingham Wheels has been pivotal in the growth of the UK drift scene.
The drifting academy on site operated by Flatout Factory Ltd and branded as Prodrift Academy UK has been Birmingham's Number 1 Outdoor activity on TripAdvisor since 2014. Operating on several areas of the site the academy is widely regarded as the go to place in Europe for those wishing to pursue their entry to the fastest growing Motorsport in the UK and become professional drifting competitors, instructors or stunt drivers. Birmingham Wheels Park has been a gateway into the sport of drifting within the UK for many years.
Karting[]
The 970 metres (3,180 ft) International Kart Circuit is where Nigel Mansell started his career. The Grand Prix Karting centre also features junior and practice circuits and runs events on the main circuit for companies, charities and groups and club members as well as enthusiasts.
Stock car racing[]
The short circuit oval hosts many versions of Stock car racing every Saturday evening including rounds of BRISCA Formula 1 and Formula 2.
Filming - television and adverts[]
The site has been the location of several filming shoots including;
Future of the circuits[]
The future of the site was thrown into doubt when in 2006 plans were unveiled for the City of Birmingham Stadium. The large stadium/casino complex (which would also have been the new home for nearby Birmingham City F.C) would have been built on the Wheels complex, including the Birmingham Wheels Oval circuit. However, with the government shelving the introduction of 'super casinos', the future for the Birmingham Wheels Park seemed secure.
Many Councillors and advocates for the park have worked hard to ensure the future of the Park, including Cllr Bob Beauchamp who has worked hard over many years to keep and grow the Park on behalf of residents and sports enthusiasts nationwide.[6]
The short circuit oval has been recognised as a participation Sports venue and as such if this facility were to be removed from the people of Birmingham it has been established that the local authority must provide an alternative venue of the same or better standard. The community of users regularly accessing the site feel very strongly that this unique Park has manifest public benefit - and with there being so many derelict sites in the city, there have been persuasive argument that sporting facilities such as Birmingham Wheels Park should be protected.
Following the issuing of the new lease on the Park to Motor Racing Live in March 2020, there have been numerous improvements to the venue.
See also[]
- Hednesford Hills Raceway Incarace short circuit
References[]
- ^ Company no. 1991870. Charity no. 701209
- ^ a b "About Birmingham Wheels Park". Birmingham Wheels Park. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
- ^ "'Setback' fears over race firm's Birmingham Wheels departure". BBC News. 20 February 2020.
- ^ "Birmingham Wheels is SAVED after closure and eviction threat lifted". 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Fixtures".
- ^ Motorsport businesses at Nechells' Birmingham Wheels tracks protest over eviction fears Birmingham Mail 26 December 2012
External links[]
- Sports venues in Birmingham, West Midlands
- Stock car racing venues