Motor sport returns to Crystal Palace Park
By Ross Lidbetter
ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk
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TURNING BACK TIME: The motor racing in Crystal Palace Park used to attract Formula 1 drivers
Photo No: RSMIS300510F09 by Ian Stratton
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SPEED DEMON: One of the cars races around the park
Photo No: RSMIS300510F07 by Ian Stratton
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RACING: Speedster competes RSMIS300510F13
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WINNING FORMULA: One of the faster cars on show
Photo No: RSMIS300510F11 by Ian Stratton
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BEAUTIFUL BACKDROP: Spectators enjoy the action
Photo No: RSMIS300510F03 by Ian Stratton
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TIME TRIAL: One of the classic cars in action RSMIS300510F
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GEAR: Ready to race RSMIS300510F14
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BEAUTY: Spectators inspect RSMIS300510F14
HERE is something you don't see every day – motor sport at Crystal Palace Park.
More than 5,000 visitors filled the park for the two-day event on Sunday and Monday.
From Ferraris to Fords, a host of classic and modern maestros battled it out to set the fastest times around a purpose-built course in a series of time trials.
Similar events took place in the park between 1997 and 2000.
But their heyday was in the early 50s to 1972 when legendary Formula 1 drivers Graham Hill and Jim Clark would race there.
But a lack of money needed to bring the track up to modern safety standards brought racing to a halt.
Martin Chinnery, chair of Sevenoaks District Motor Club, said: "We couldn't have hoped for a better show.
"The racing was exhilarating, the weather was good and with over 5,000 visitors, attendance exceeded our expectations, proving the popularity of Crystal Palace as a motor sport venue."
The weekend's racing raised £2,500 for St Christopher's Hospice and the Royal London Society for the Blind.
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