Autospeed at United Downs Raceway

Fun for all the family

Short oval motor racing is one of Cornwall's most enjoyably chaotic family days out, and United Downs Raceway near St Day - roughly 10 minutes from Redruth, 15 from Truro and Falmouth - has been the county's home for it since 1969. The 350-metre tarmac oval, ringed by a plate steel safety fence, began life as a go-kart circuit in the early 1960s before stock car racing took over, and it's been promoted by Autospeed for most of the decades since, aside from a spell under Monarch Promotions between 1987 and 2000.

Race meetings mix several classes on the same bill: fast, skilful BriSCA F2 Stock Cars; hard-hitting National Bangers; rugged, old-fashioned Saloon Stock Cars; non-contact Stock Rods (more like racing through rush-hour traffic); and Ministox, the junior class for drivers aged 11 to 16 who are tipped as the sport's stars of tomorrow. A full meeting typically runs 12 to 15 races at around four per hour, so expect three to four hours of racing, usually starting at 1pm after pre-meeting practice and a Grand Parade. Spectators get unlimited access to the pit area, hot and cold refreshments, and are welcome to bring a seat or blanket for the banking.

The raceway has plenty of history to its name: the 100th BriSCA F2 meeting was held in 2005, a record 65 BriSCA F2 drivers raced in 2009, and 2019 brought both the track's 50th anniversary and its 200th BriSCA F2 meeting, alongside hosting World Championship semi-finals. More recently, Cornwall Council approved a new 10-year lease in 2024, securing the venue's future and recognising it as an Asset of Community Value - Autospeed's Crispen Rosevear called it the result of "more than a year" of work. That year also saw the Nationals Championship held in Cornwall for the first time, complete with a bespoke trophy crafted by a Cornish jeweller, and a comedy play inspired by the raceway staged by Wildworks Theatre. The venue also supports local causes through charity meetings including the Taiya Densham Shield and Cornish Caravan Chaos.

Fixtures & Ticket Prices

Meetings usually start at 1pm on Sundays and run through the season from February to November. Ticket categories are General Admission, Junior Concession (ages 10-15), Child Concession (under 10, free), Senior Concession (65+), and a Family ticket (2 adults plus up to 3 juniors) - exact prices are published with each race meeting preview and via Digi Tickets online.

Kids often go free on selected meetings - check the current fixture for details.