Cheshire racetrack Oulton Park unveils 2023 racing calendar

The Little Budworth circuit’s season will include rounds of the UK’s leading national championships, including two Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) dates. The first of these will be three races in late spring (29 April-May 1) whilst the second (September 15-17) will be a key fixture as the title fight reaches boiling point.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) meanwhile returns for its popular summer tin-top festival on June 17/18. Some of the UK’s leading drivers will battle across a trio of races in front of a huge crowd, many of whom will camp out for the whole weekend.

The British Touring Car Championship returns to Oulton Park this year. Picture: www.AE-Photography.co.uk

First off the starting grid for major events this year will be the opening round of the Intelligent Money British GT Championship on Easter weekend – April 7, 8 and 10. Two races for GT3 and GT4 cars from prestige manufacturers will take centre stage on the bank holiday Monday. This weekend will also offer visitors an opportunity to glimpse the next generation of aspiring F1 hopefuls in the GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC and its junior feeder series, GB4.

Also taking place will be the Supercar Pageant (1 July) which returns for a second successive year. Hundreds of machines from the globe’s greatest performance marques will fill the venue, whilst the GT Cup Championship will deliver the horsepower on track.

US Autoshow is one of many special themed events for the whole family.

Oulton Park’s signature Historic Gold Cup (28-30 July) headlines a superb calendar of festivals and shows with fun for all the family. Once a non-championship F1 race contested by Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart, the Gold Cup is now the North West’s premier historic motorsport event and will feature a nostalgic race programme with car displays and off-track attractions to fit the retro mood.

Gold Cup action returns to Oulton Park this year. Picture: www.AE-Photography.co.uk

Other returning highlights include Tunerfest North (22 July), headlined by Time Attack UK, US Autoshow (19 August), featuring American-themed racing, demos and displays, and the Neil Howard Stage Rally and Fireworks, which retains its place as the traditional season closer on 4 November.

The Neil Howard Stage Rally and fireworks caps off the season. Picture: Peter David Robinson.

New for 2023 are Autos de France (8 July), which will bring an all-new off-track show focused on cult favourites from the French car industry. Ford Power Live (15 July) will make its Oulton Park debut too, following successful previous events at Brands Hatch and Snetterton. BMW Sommerfest, run in association with the BMW Owners' Club, makes its first appearance at the venue near Tarporley too, acting as a showcase for the prestige German manufacturer.

There is a full season of club racing to look forward to, starting from the Caterham Raceday which launches the competitive action on 1 April. Other notable club events include outings for Ferrari Challenge UK and the British Endurance Championship. Two-wheeled fans will be catered for by a pair of Wirral 100 Club Bike Championship events and a meeting hosted by No Limits Racing.

Most of the of the UK’s leading car racing organisers will visit in 2023, including the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC), British Automobile Racing Club (BARC), MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR), the Classic Sports Car Club (CSCC), the MG Car Club and Equipe Classic Racing.

Under-13s always go free to events at Oulton Park, with further reductions are available for 13-15-year-olds. Parking is free in all of the primary public car parks. Adult advance tickets for race events start from £15, and season passes are available. For more information, visit www.oultonpark.co.uk.