Aintree

Aintree was a flat and largely featureless circuit built outside the Grand National racecourse, scene of Britain’s greatest horse race. Except for the difficult Melling Crossing, Aintree’s corners were slow and unchallenging. But its spectator facilities, accommodating up to 140,000 people, were unrivalled by other British circuits, and within a year of opening in 1954 Aintree held the British GP. Aintree hosted that race on five occasions before the international circuit was closed in 1964. Stirling Moss starred here, scoring his first Grand Prix win in 1955, and sharing Vanwall’s first championship victory with Tony Brooks two years later. The short circuit remained active until 1982 and has now reopened for sprints and track days.