Cadwell Park is a great circuit but not for novices. I think it’s one of the most technical circuits in the UK. But when you get it right it’s brilliant.

Cadwell Park is on the A153 between Horncastle and Louth. (To find Cadwell Park) The track can be sectioned into are two circuits: Full Circuit - 2.170 miles & Club Circuit - 1.476 miles. Always try and get on the "Full" Circuit

Contacts:
General Number: 01507 343519
Race Information: 01507 343248
Testing: 01507 343248

The Circuit

A combination of long fast curves and some very tricky tight bends, hills with a nasty hairpin. The track can be split into two main sections, the section from Coppice through to Chris Curve (Club Circuit) is fairly simple but the section from Gooseneck through to Barn requires a lot of concentration, I have seen many accidents in this section and one of them was fatal.

Riding It

This is based on my experience (and failing memory) riding a race prepared GSX R600. The lines which suit me may not suit you.

If you're doing a track day you will start from the paddock situated between The Mountain and Hall Bends.

If you're racing you will start on the start finish straight between Barn and Coppice.

Track day virgins will experience perhaps the most difficult and technical demanding track section anywhere within their first half mile, this will focus their concentration.

Since most of you do track days rather than race I will present the bends in trackday order.

Hall Bends

After the warm up laps you will approach Hall Bends from the mountain. You need to be in control and settled in your seat, get your braking done early.

The first bend is to the right aim to hold the kerb and sight up the next left hander, aim to clip the left hand kerb and virtually straight line it to the next right hander and allow yourself to drift over to the left in readiness for the Hairpin.

Hairpin

My first impression of the Hairpin was "Oh my God, it's steep".

Get your braking done on the slight left kink to set the bike up for the hairpin. Turn in just before the apex and as the bike drifts out to the left get on the throttle gently.

There's not much run off here. Apply slight braking on the approach to Barn.

Barn

Make no mistake, this is a dangerous corner, enter it slowly and start rolling on the throttle around the apex. The bend tightens and over cooking the throttle will have you over the kerb and off.

As you exit Barn you would have drifted over to the left and will need to lean the bike slightly. The trick here is to be on full drive as you exit for the straight.

The Straight

Actually this is the Start/Finish Straight. It's head down, full throttle and top gear as you approach Coppice. Say no more.

Coppice

I love this bend, a lot of riders brake far too early and this allows you to overtake. You should be on the right hand side of the track. I love to take this bend at high speed, aim to clip the inside kerb about 70% of the way through the curve, I usually apply power from here. You should be holding a tight line and driving hard in readiness for Charlies. I find that Coppice is a good place to overtake especially if the person in front has either braked too early or has run wide.

Charlies

This can be tricky with a blind crest between the two halves of the bend and a few bumps thrown in for good measure which can make you lose your front wheel.

If you managed to get Coppice right the approach should be steep about 35% from the left hand kerb. The uphill climb will scrub off sufficient speed so you probably don't need your brakes.

Aim to clip the first apex and apply more throttle from there allowing your bike to drift out to the left hand kerb. At the top of the hill sight up your second apex which appears late and then commence to peel the bike into it. Clip the second apex and aim for the left hand kerb keeping the drive on but watch out for the bumpy surface as you approach Park Straight.

Park Straight

Head down and give it beanz. This is where the more powerful bike has an edge. But a nimble 600 will make it up at Park bend.

Park

Probably the only straight forward bend at Cadwell. Peel the bike in just after the surface change and clip the right hand kerb at the apex. Allow the bike to drift out to the left-hand kerb in readiness for Chris Curve.

Chris Curve

I remember saying to myself "where's the apex", it's hidden. Use the slow in fast out approach and you'll be fine. The apex is late and if you take it too soon you'll screw up the tricky Gooseneck section. After the apex get on the throttle gently and allow the bike to drift out to the left and then straighten the bike up and aim for the right hand kerb on the entry into the Gooseneck.

Gooseneck

There are more accidents here than anywhere else. I had a big moment here last year where I nearly lost it when the guy I was overtaking high-sided his bike.

You can run out of track very quickly but as you leave Chris brake in a straight line then turn hard, you really have to force the bike over because you should be going quite fast.

Try to keep your bike on the right hand kerb then as you hit the crest of the little hill peel off hard to the left and aim to clip the left hand apex. The first thing you notice as you drift out to the right hand kerb is the very steep hill leading to Mansfield, some people panic here and inevitably lose it.

Mansfield

The braking point for Mansfield depends on how well you navigated the Gooseneck, this bend really tests your front suspension and front tyre. You'll notice a wall of tyres on your right, aim to peel in at about mid-point and try to clip the apex as late as possible. Accelerate hard from the apex and try to keep a tight line toward the mountain. Again, this is a good passing place especially if the guy/girl in front got their lines wrong going into Mansfield.

Mountain

Between Mansfield and Mountain the track kinks to the left, if you've negotiated Mansfield correctly you should be able to straight line to the Mountain and again overtake people here.

Peel of as late as your nerves allow as the track goes left and uphill for the start of the Mountain aim to be over to the left hand side in readiness for the right hander. Clip the right hand apex and ease off the throttle slightly, if you don't you will become airborne of the brow of the mountain. Try to be at the mid-point of the track so you can straight line over the summit. This is the point where many people experience their first wheelie. Drive hard and keep over to your left and be prepared to peel in to the right just after you pass the paddock entrance.

That's it really, quite simple :-)

Some pictures of Alan at Cadwell

Getting away from the rush hour traffic - Places a new slant on filtering. BTW, knee sliders don't last long.
My back end felt a little "sqiggy" here.
I often use this picture taken of me at Cadwell Park on August 18th 2000 to demonstrate counter steering. Not only am I pushing down on the right bar I’m also pulling the left bar. You will note the front wheel is facing left but I’m just about to tip into a right hander.
This is the famous "Mountain". It's here that many people do their first wheelie. It's great fun.