In 1953 the local businessman Poul Tholstrup
bought an old gravel pit in the Danish city Roskilde to build there
the first permanent race track from Denmark. The circuit called
Roskilde Ring was opened at June the 5th 1955 and was just 670 meter
(0.419 mile) long! In 1957 the track was expanded to 1,4 km (0.875
mile).
Typical for this circuit, described by Sterling
Moss as "A most peculiar raceway", where the banked corners and the
fact that the circuit had not a real straight! Because the track was
built in an old gravel pit it looks like an amphitheatre. There was
also an elevation of 14 meter and the track was driven
anticlockwise.
One of the many curiosities of this track
where the amphitheatre style stands for the spectators. Still
today you can recognize them (see the pictures above and below).
In 1960, 1961 and 1962 the Roskilde Ring was
hosted the Danish Grand Prix which was never counted for the Formula
1 World Championship.
Because the circuit was build into a city park
between the residences there where many complains about the noise.
As a result of that the circuit finally closed. The last race was in
September the 22nd 1968.
Today the site of the old racetrack is a
recreation park which is also called Roskilde Ring as a tribute to
the former circuit. There is no more motorsport here, the Roskilde
Ring is now a site to play golf or Frisbee.
Click here for more pictures from the Roskilde
Ring
