REVIEWS
VSCC Bulletin no.255 Spring 2007
"A Record of Motor Racing at Crystal Palace", by Richard Page. Published by St Leonards Press, available from Formula One Register. Hardback in slipcase. 305mmx215mm. Two volumes: 329 and 343 pages. 89 mono photos.
The price of this work will greatly limit its appeal, but it is a valuable addition to the record of motor racing history. The author has done immense research and the two volumes cover motor racing in various forms at the Crystal Palace for 101 years, from 1899 to 2000. The sport began in 1899 with motor cycle and a solitary car race on a cinder track in the grounds of the park in South London where the exhibition hall of the Great Exhibition in 1851, the Crystal Palace, had been moved. The motor cycle racing contiuned on paths in the park in the '20's and early '30's; then in 1937, a proper road circuit was built and until WW2 it staged exciting racing with the leading British, and some foreign, drivers.
Crystal Palace re-opened in 1953 with a shortened circuit, and races were held there regularly, with up to four meetingsa year, until 1972, when it fell foul of noise problems and local government politics. The tight nature of teh circuit meant that the racing was always close and exciting, with little room for error, and in the post-War years, every international driver of note raced there, in races for F1 an F2 cars, while vintage and historic races were also featured. Subsequently, sprints were held on part of hte circuit until a final closure in 2000. The entry list and results of every race are given and each has a short narrative, while the motorcycle racing is also covered. Strongly recommended (for those who can afford it).
Humble Pye [16/11/2006], Autosport
...Mention of the South London circuit, home track for longtime Autosport snapper Jeff Bloxham and myself as kids, i commend readers to the Formula 1 Register's latest publication, A Record of Motor Racing at Crystal Palace.
A sister to Robert Barker's formidable and prized work on Goodwood. Richard Page's fastidiously researched twin-tome set details every event from 1899 to 2000 (major racing ran from 1953-72). Not cheap at £200, but with a print run of just 150, not to be missed by historians and enthusiasts "