Despite rain falling steadily when I looked out from behind the curtains on Sunday morning, a quick glance at the Met Office Rainfall Radar App, which showed clearer conditions were on their way, was all I needed to head out for some motorsport action. 

After my last planned motorsport excursion onto the North Yorkshire Moors had been cancelled due to Storm Ciara I was keen to take advantage of a rain free day.

My day took in two former Lincolnshire wartime airbases within twenty miles of my home, and two forms of four wheel action. My first location was Blyton Park, the home of the former of 199 Squadron throughout the 2nd World War.  Today was the BTRDA’s British Rallycross Test Day and the opportunity for those drivers taking part to brush off the cobwebs.  

Three and four lap windows for each class gave the drivers the opportunity to test out their cars, but the recent  wet weather meant the course was restricted to tarmac only, the pristine off road sections of the track “off limits”, presumably because they would have cut up too much prior to the season proper starting.

The opportunities for shots are limited at the circuit to the last two bends, the remainder of the course inaccessible to spectators, but a “pro” photographer could be seen in the distance in the most exposed sections of the course. I didn’t envy him stood in the full force of the wind.

After taking a few shots of the limited cars out, lunchtime was taken by those taking part, and with a big queue for coffee at the track café I decided to head east to my second destination.

The sinuous and undulating roads of the Wolds gave way to the equally sinuous but flat Lincolnshire roads east of Louth, with its resplendent church spire that can be seen for miles.  A number of sections of the coastal roads were flooded and negotiating around large puddles was very much part of the journey to my second destination of the day, which was the Woodthorpe Kart Club, where the first round of the Club’s annual championship was taking place.  

The circuit lies on the former Strubby airbase, which was the home of several squadrons during the Second World War.

The super telephoto lens I keep searching for on Camera Jungle, Facebook and E-Bay would have allowed me take such shots across to the north of the circuit, and particularly Bottom Gate and the Bus Stop, which was scene of a number of mishaps for drivers of all ages. Definitely a circuit worth visiting again.  

A good day out at last, in reasonable conditions, and proof that even in the depths of Winter there is plenty of “grass roots” action out there.

I’m hoping my next planned expedition, which will be to the Lake District, and the Malcolm Wilson Stages, will be equally enjoyable.