Thruxton: Recalling the 1980s – Britain’s Fastest Circuit

Thruxton, one of the fastest motor racing circuits in the United Kingdom, has long been both feared and revered by drivers for its uncompromising speed and the precision it demands. Known as a supreme test of high-speed skill, the circuit rewards bravery and finesse — particularly in the art of slipstreaming.

In this beautifully presented volume, the author draws upon a remarkable private archive of previously unpublished colour photographs to chronicle the evolution of British motorsport at Thruxton throughout the 1980s. The book captures an era when the circuit hosted some of the most thrilling racing in the country, from British Touring Cars and Formula 3 to the international stars of Formula 2 and even Formula 1 machinery.

Thruxton has remained largely unchanged since its opening, preserving its reputation as the spiritual home of Formula 2 in the UK. Over the years, it has played a pivotal role in the careers of many of motorsport’s greatest names — Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, and Mika Häkkinen among them. The circuit’s long straights and sweeping bends have also made it a favourite for sportscar racing, with vehicles of all vintages taking to its demanding layout.

Lavishly illustrated with vivid period photography, this book provides a rare visual record of Thruxton’s golden decade — the cars, the atmosphere, and the drivers who made history there.

Key

Features

• Chronicles the evolution of Thruxton circuit through the 1980s
• Showcases British Touring Cars, Formula 3, and Formula 2 competition
• Includes images of Formula 1 cars and legendary drivers such as Senna, Mansell, Hill, and Häkkinen
• Highlights sportscar and vintage racing at the circuit
• Features a unique collection of previously unpublished colour photographs
• Celebrates one of Britain’s most iconic and unchanged racing venues
• A stunning visual tribute to a defining era of British motorsport, Thruxton: Recalling the 1980s captures the spirit, speed, and spectacle of one of the UK’s most thrilling race circuits.