The Venue

The oldest venue

Shelsley Walsh is the oldest motor sport venue in continuous use in the world. First used in 1905, it is older than Indianapolis, Le Mans or Monza. Brooklands has been and gone, but Shelsley Walsh is still here, as old as the sport but as modern as today.

Innovation

The venue was the first purpose built motor sport venue in history and has continued to be at the heart of motor sport and sporting innovation. It featured the first electrical motor sport timekeeping and the first motor sport outside broadcast with the innovations continuing through more than 100 years of continuous improvement. Raymond Mays perfected his ERA racing cars at Shelsley in the 1930's and his later BRM's featured at Shelsley. By 2010 we will see the first modern purpose built electric racing car competing at Shelsley and it will carry the BRM name.

The Club

Shelsley was founded by and has always been run by the MAC. The Midland Automobile Club is arguably the oldest motor club in the world, certainly the oldest still using its original name although there are a few close rivals. The club was founded by a number of prominent members of the early motor industry whilst Queen Victoria was still on the throne. The MAC is Shelsley Walsh but it is not all we do. In addition to Shelsley Walsh speed hill climbs, the MAC organizes sprints, sporting trials, classic car events and social events. We feature something for every motor sport and motoring enthusiast. We are the heart of Motor Sport in the Midlands.

The future of Shelsley has been secured with a new 99 year lease secured in 2005. Work is underway renovating buildings at the base of the hill to provide improved facilities for the use of competitors, spectators and visitors alike.

If you haven't bought a yard of tarmac, or entered the Monthly Draw, then do so through the links above. You will be helping us to continue with these improvements to a piece of Great British sporting history.

We look forward to welcoming you at Shelsley Walsh during the 2009 season.