Oulton Park Gold Cup - 2026
The Oulton Park Gold Cup is one of the UK’s standout historic motorsport festivals, bringing together classic racing machinery, period paddock atmosphere and a full weekend of on‑track action. Set against the parkland circuit’s iconic backdrop, the event blends competitive historic racing with car displays, vintage culture and family‑friendly entertainment - and this year, Cyclekarts were out in force, adding their own charm and character to the show.
I feel it in my fingers…
Let’s be blunt. It rained – but that could not dampen the fun we had out on the rally cross circuit at the Oulton Park Gold Cup. Yes, the track is already a low friction polished concrete and glass circuit for sliding around on - and adding water removes most of the grip it had. Sideways was the only way around, and throttle control was probably a lot more important than brake control. So much fun to be had with skinny tyres over the three days of the event.
I feel it in my toes…
The spray from the tyres soon wet our hardy bunch of Cyclekartists and their chargers through and through from top to bottom, but the weekend did provide the closest experience the club has had to running on a frozen lake – without the cold, which was nice.
Gaps in the weather provided relief and drying out time between the downpours and eventually on the Monday the track dried enough to run a round of the world championship with a timed sprint race.
The love is all around me…
Our campsite provided much for socialising through the event, with the new club 15ft shelter providing the much needed weather protection for the evening festivities, and on one evening, we were summoned to the scrutineering area of the pits to see a display of photographic art of the historic Gold Cup. The photo that had the most attention? – Only our own Terry in his Darracq! The photographer was present at the champagne reception and had her photo taken with our star.
And so the feeling grows…
Sunday morning was a time to be quiet for the locals of Tarporly to have peace and respite from the track noise. The sun came out, and it was time for the prize giving organised by our own Ian Fletcher. Of course, in true Cyclekart tradition, the prizes were worthless or worse (we would not have it any other way) and much merriment was had in the awards, all of which were received in good humour. Of course, as 12:07 came, so did the sweet song of engines across the site and it was time to get back on track – so it rained on cue.
Come on and let it show…
The event itself always has much to offer in the way of inspiration for yet another Cyclekart in the pit area, and a few that we have already had a go at doing were there too. Ed’s Delittle had his inspiration Delage at the event and he had a good conversation with the team running it. The racing went on as we drove around our track adding to the atmosphere of the event, the classic car show had much to look at and food and drink was available around the site. A craft village added to the show. A great weekend – Roll on next year!
Words: Jim Rawnsley
Photography: Jay Pratt, Jenson Pratt and other Members
