England's Nurburgring - The Public Road That's Also a Race Track - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough

#scarborough #racetrack #nurburgring
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We've all thought about how awesome it would be to have a public race track available to us in the UK... it turns out, we've already got one and have done for decades!
Oliver's mount in Scarborough is a race track made up of public roads that are open all year round. You are able to do a full lap of the circuit in your car or on your motorcycle, and jolly day out it is too.
It sounds very similar to the Nurburgring in Germany however there are no tolls to drive on the track.
The catch...? Well, there's a speed limit of course so sensible driving only please but as you navigate your way round, you'll soon discover that 30mph is more than enough.
In this video, I'll look at the history of the track and why it was created, we'll examine the track layout as it is today and there's a start to finish lap to round things off nicely.
*VOICE OVER GUEST STAR*
Lewis @RingwayManchester
Channel - / @ringwaymanchester
Twitter - @OfficialM3HHY

[@jessanderson2426]

I remember a few years ago I was working here in the paddock on a race day. I got lost finding my way to the paddock on my little 50cc ped the marshals let me drive round the actual track, ignoring the speed limit, to get to the paddock. The guy on the speakers was commentating my lap. best experience ever.

[@olivergriffiths4445]

​@@msmoonboo You'd be surprised, if it's a two stroke moped it could have a top speed of 50, maybe even 60, mph.

[@doursen]

@@olivergriffiths4445 Yes, absolutely. My Vespa gets up to 65 kmph. 50cc 2 stroke, like you said. It’s jolly good fun pushing one of those to the limits.

[@user-fc9dq7ho2g]

@Ms Moon Boo 50cc is more than capable of doing 50mph if tuned right depending on ped you dont even need a 70 kit

[@olivergriffiths4445]

@@msmoonboo are you sure the speed limit is 60mph?

[@SavouryLobster]

@@user-fc9dq7ho2g would love to see you try that.

[@colin.d]

That's great you got Lewis to do the radio bits, nice to see KZbinrs co-operating with each other.

[@ethzero]

As a subscriber to both, that was a really nice surprise ❤️

[@TheTezz100]

Did find myself chuckling. This isn't the 1st time

[@GreenJimll]

I was expecting it to be Scarborough Council's number station. 🙂

[@anthonyfmoss]

@@GreenJimll You win funniest KZbin remark of the day for me!

[@JamesHurd]

@@GreenJimll ha ha

[@neildaniel8232]

Excellent use of the Gran Turismo Intro and end music, brought a smile to my face!

[@Thematt11]

Pro tip - that Piece is called 'Moon Over The Castle' and if you want to go down a KZbin rabbit hole there are some amazing cover versions.

[@n_tas]

Totally unexpected at the end there, gave me goosebumps!

[@BadgerOff32]

Yeah that got me a bit nostalgic for Gran Turismo Sport lol. I used to race in the Nations Cup and Manufacturers races all the time, so I heard that piece of music a lot. It was a great way to gee me up for the race. Every time I heard it, I was like "Right, game face on. Let's do this!"

[@kastro4460]

@@Thematt11 Extra pro-tip. The composer of the song, Masahiro Andoh, is the guitarrist and founder of T-Square, an awesome Japanese jazz fusion band with great songs, including "Knights Song", the band's rendition of the GT intro, and "Truth", which used to be the F1 theme for Japanese broadcast

[@Jerrymouse79]

@@BadgerOff32that first bit was the opening titles to Gran Turismo 4. They still use it for the manufacturers cup

[@Nickillik]

That Ringway Manchester colab was an excellent little sweetner I'd never expect :)

[@921186940]

I thought exactly the same at first I thought I'd nudged my phone and I was his channel so went back and was only then I realised 😅

[@biglads4tw]

I'm looking forward to the favour being returned and Jon talking about the Lincolnshire Poacher.

[@StavTech]

That’s awesome, had no idea that existed, and I’m guessing a lot of the locals didn’t either considering the lack of tyre marks everywhere 😂

[@spazda_mx5]

We'd better get up there and make some 😊

[@bleeksbentbits3150]

Ive heard of Oliver's Mount, & I live in Oz! :v Then again, I looked it up when I heard Guy Martin had won the 'Cock of the North' & with a title like that, you kinda take notice! ;)

[@garybenfield8433]

U should check out the superbike races hear I think the locals will hear them

[@paulbernard2397]

I lived at the bottom of the hill. Everyone knows when the races are on- you can't not hear it all over the town. That and the fact the town is full of thousands of bikes for 3 or 4 days.

[@StavTech]

@@paulbernard2397 nice. people must be far better behaved there than around here then!

[@chrisd6719]

Ahh Fantastic, as a born and bred Scarborian I can certainly confirm every local knows about Oliver's mount, when the races are on you can hear the bikes screaming around the circuit all over the town! And the view over the town from the manorial is truly amazing, especially on a clear night. Although getting to and from Scarborough via the A64 is a f#*cking nightmare..... Especially in the summer.

[@rhythm242able]

Yeah that road is more dangerous that the track! 😆

[@tomanderson6335]

Great video. Interesting to hear about the 10- and 14-mile permanent circuit proposals; shame that project never happened, if for no other reason than to give it the nickname "The Yorkschleife."

[@JamesCharman]

Fantastic video of a bit of a hidden gem in British motorsport! However, the pedant in me feels like I have to say that Northern Ireland is in the UK, therefore the Ulster GP's Dundrod (11.9mi) and the North West 200's Triangle (8.9mi) both clock in longer than this, and are made up entirely of public roads (save for a couple of pesky chicanes).

[@RW-nr6bh]

Very technically Aberdare Park has motorcycle racing on public roads too, although the roads in the park aren't really most people's idea of what the open road looks like, they're just park access in the week with no cars on them.

[@ronmastrio2798]

Well if you wanna be really pedantic you could probably count the Isle of Man TT course as well.

[@darth_autie_117]

​@@ronmastrio2798 IOM isn't in the UK

[@FrDave-]

I agree but I think you mixed up the length of the Ulster GP as its (7.4mi) which would be (11.9Km) but apart from the mix up of unit's of distance you are spot on 👍

[@stephencampbell9384]

Not to mention all the road racing tracks here with no infrastructure......Armoy, Carrowdore, Tandragee etc (some no longer used) many of which are longer.....but are they really race circuits is the question. Still, nice to know I'm not the only person who remembers UK ! GB

[@adlam97531]

great video and good to hear RingwayManchester too!

[@bradleytarrant]

I love the gran turismo music in all your vids 😄

[@shaunbryan9615]

Much fun had as a teenager cycling down the two hills and then trying to stop and a once, never to be repeated, skateboard down the steepest hill (the one John drove up). Good to see racing is back this year.

[@Dan23_7]

Skateboard 😱😂😂 Did you manage to stay on ?

[@shaunbryan9615]

@@Dan23_7 This is the part I admit I was sat on it. Chickened out half way down when a car started to come up. Worn out a perfectly good pair of trainers!! 😅

[@Dan23_7]

@@shaunbryan9615 Hahaha 😂 Better than burning out your arse cheeks on the road 😂

[@hammyh1165]

Used to go to caravan rallies in the field at the top when I was a kid . Anyone mind the pirate ship that used to be a the boating lake? Great Ringway Collab 👍

[@beechface1]

This is quickly becoming one of my favourite channels. Reminds me of Tom Scott, but motoring related.

[@qwertyTRiG]

Reminds me of Paul & Rebecca Whitlock.

[@jimmydesouza4375]

Never been able to stomach Tom Scott after he released his video saying all American republicans are racist extremists and then unlisted it when he realized how stupid that was because he didn't even have the decency to keep his mistakes out in the open. If that's the kind of thing he's willing to say in the open what does he say, think or do in private?

[@qwertyTRiG]

@@jimmydesouza4375 Well, he wasn't wrong, was he?

[@jimmydesouza4375]

@@qwertyTRiG Yes.

[@RichTapestry]

@@jimmydesouza4375 I don't think that is the original quote, but it is well accepted that the GOP fill their ranks with racist extremists, politicians and voters alike. Pointing that fact out however is not good for commerce. I remember as far back as 2015 there were internal leaks from Facebook and Twitter saying that they couldn't enforce their global user guidelines on everyone or they would have had to ban a majority of Republican representatives. If they're considered right-wing in the US just imagine what the rest of the world know them to be! Republicans don't deserve Tom Scott, so be it.

[@sportzntouring]

Love this! I can't imagine it could ever be made to pass any of the safety regs on modern race tracks, but what a cool place to drive. I've got to go there one day! Thanks for this gem! A shame it's not one way.

[@Skorpychan]

It was actually operating as a TT course up until covid. Now they can't get the funds to keep it operational.

[@valeriemilam]

There is a full season of 4 race meets this year, a Hillclimb & supermoto event. All is well

[@DanielHarveyDyer]

Yeah they still do this in Northern Ireland as well. Motorcycle road racing is mad and I stopped watching it because I don't want to encourage them.

[@tedcopple101]

It didn't until recently then they spent a ton on it and brought it up to spec.

[@Taylor1Andy]

@@Skorpychan Seems you do not know what you are talking about, never been a TT course and 6 events this year.

[@01mememememe]

RingwayManchesterANDJonShenanigans mash up - love it

[@tommaxwell4966]

After getting a drivers license, my friends and I would go on long random drives around Yorkshire, just for the fun and the novelty. We were from near York and would often venture out to the coast on our adventures. You can only imagine our joy when we came across this late one night. Lots of fun. Thanks for the reminder of this little spot!

[@DigBipper188]

All the trips to scarborough I've been on and *I NEVER KNEW THIS TRACK EXISTED!!!* Right. the e-bike's coming with me on the next trip!!

[@TheSaintsray]

One of your best films - and you've never done a bad one, so this is high praise. Great work.

[@ravyyyyyyy]

Great video as always! Just a sidenote, the Dundrod Circuit which hosts the Ulster GP is 7.4 miles long and The Triangle - Northwest 200 road circuit is 9 miles, good bit longer than 2 and a half miles!

[@DanielHarveyDyer]

And also definitely in the UK, so we can outpedant his preemptive anti-pedantry.

[@davidholden2658]

I came here to mention this but knew someone would have beaten me to it!

[@MohsniLegend]

Both cancelled though :(

[@ravyyyyyyy]

@@MohsniLegend not all hope lost yet, there's a gofundme going to fund the insurance fees (which is what I understand is stopping them from carrying on) and they're a good quarter of the way there after a week

[@The_Project_Shed]

There are a lot of open road circuits in Northern Ireland, we also have a lot of missing motorways that were planned but never built, we have the m1 m2 m3 m5 m12 and m22 off the top of my head, but there were a lot of short urban type motorways planned decades ago

[@dannyhilarious]

Although being mostly used as an motorbike track, I think this course would also be perfect for go-karts or even kei-cars.

[@godzillas6301]

i should copywrite this 300-400 bhp 4wd scoobys , bm`s , audis rsessssesss or some other such cars on spacesavers Now id watch that .

[@alexbrodie6149]

I so want to take my Fiesta around it, it looks perfect for a quick hot hatch, that said it's not one way and there seems to be a lot of people walking around, probably not the best idea to be sending it round there

[@seshelbow336]

@@godzillas6301 I had a pulsar GTiR on 4 space savers in about 1999/2000 😂

[@godzillas6301]

@@seshelbow336 You absolute beauty . I bet that was beyond a handfull and one of the most fun things you have ever done . Kudos .

[@madmax2069]

I never expected to hear Ringway Manchester/Lewis on a video about a race track. A mix of two things I highly enjoy. Awesome work

[@JohnMarch]

Good thing I just started watching RingwayManchester 2 days ago so that I could appreciate this cameo!

[@RingwayManchester]

Hey John!

[@jackking5567]

I often spectate at Olivers Mount and for me the terror/excitement is just how narrow and different the track is. There's little to no run-off too and it all makes for some memorable viewing. How the riders cope I have no idea. Also, Lewis made a show! Did not expect that.

[@paultierney8867]

Went there for Cock of the North for first time this year 2023. Loved it. Great day out, great racing. Will be back,

[@mrmuttley]

Shows how much you know. Oliver Cromwell was a big fan of the JDM car scene.

[@prime1971]

Love the impromptu collab, great video again

[@GazzaJAnimal]

Ha ha, I loved it when Lewis interrupted with the com tower info. Class

[@FatboyGengiz]

I remember fondly: my dad thrashing his Cortina around there some ~40 years ago, on a Sunday drive. (Handbrake-turns around the two tight hairpins!) Thanks!

[@davidfrank1344]

As a kid there was very poor TV reception on a race day morning due to the interference from the engines.

[@Froobyone]

I once went to watch the racing at Oliver's Mount in the late 90s. I had gone on my VFR400 with the girlfriend on the back. I was informed on arrival, that because I was there early, I'd inexplicably won the chance to go around the circuit with other civilians accompanied by then British Superbike rider Dean Ashton. You can't pass up an opportunity like that. So we went and got a good sport and waited for the PA to call us. At the allotted time, I, along with other nervous looking people, gathered at the circuit entrance and had the safety briefing. Which was "Don't fall off. People are watching" or words to that effect and off we went. A few years previous to this, I had actually lived in Scarborough and used to take my TZR125 up onto the circuit fairly regularly. But you couldn't cane it. Other cars, dog walkers, Oliver etc. That day however, all those restrictions were gone. Now I'd always fancied myself as a bit of a racer. I was quick on the road. On an unrestricted track though, I was appalling. I was shitting myself every lap. Not only are there death inducing hairpins, but coming down the hill at a ton plus over Jefferies Jump, man I wanted to just cry, but I couldn't because my girlfriend was up on the hill watching. I learned there and then, that no, I am not a racer. In retrospect, the ill-timed joint five minutes before they called us to the start probably didn't help either. I'd even said to my girlfriend there's no way I can do this right now. She said I might never get the opportunity again and I would regret not doing it. Also I could just "take it steady". Yeah right, with fifty other egos with motorcycles around me. I held my own for three full laps on fear and adrenalin. On the fourth lap at Drury's hairpin, some madman on an XV535 custom stuffed me up the inside and I was like, I'm done. Let's just survive this. One day I might be able to recount the story for strangers on the internet. Thanks for bringing those memories back.

[@SteveSearle]

First time I went there was to watch Barry Sheene, Mick Grant and Tony Rutter racing.

[@bigswoop5143]

Scarborough local here, had plenty of fun driving round here growing up and now. Got a picture of my old black 93 estate at the top of the hill after the mere hairpin 🤙

[@adamcowood7553]

Was not expecting a surprise @RingwayManchester cameo 😂 Great stuff!

[@aidy6000]

Random Ringways cameo made a great video, magnificent. thank you for sharing this with us, have a good week.

[@TheGamingNinja704-TGN704]

The smaller radio tower is a wireless internet service tower that provides broadband for remote houses and farms who’s phone line is poor or unreliable.

[@circadianizzy]

Scarborough! A beautiful town, I spent part of my time growing up there!

[@TheRadGravelRider]

Ringway in an Autoshenanigans video? My circle of procrastination viewing is complete! Thank you sirs.

[@csabszika]

I really like to see two of my favourite KZbinrs cooperate!!!

[@BkSMedia]

Moon Over the Castle at the end, nice touch Jon.

[@tommig1995]

Music choice is absolutely spot on

[@bobcannell7603]

Jefferies jump is named after one of the masters of Olivers Mount, David Jefferies of the famous motorcycling racing family. Because he jumped his bike over it. As a TT rider he knew how to jump race bikes. The most spectacular turn is Mountside Hairpin where Jefferies perfected locking his back wheel to slid round the corner and rocket away. Marc Marquez eat your heart out.

[@TheMightyKinkle]

5:18 I was literally thinking if Lewis watched this he would look straight to the mast and he makes a bloody cameo. 😂😂😂

[@Savagetechie]

Ooh Ringway Manchester guest appearance. That was an unexpected but definitely welcome crossover.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

Great to hear Ringway Manchester chipping in with an informative cameo!

[@stuartliddle7228]

Every time i drive to Scarborough wit the family, my treat before the journey home is a trip round the Mount. Great town, great place.

[@keithbroughton4476]

"a bit of an argument broke out"...golden!!! Classic British understatement.

[@adrianrutterford762]

Fascinating video. Thank you.

[@humphshumphs]

Absolutely brilliant to see this. Thanks

[@henryhyam5148]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@martinh4982]

It would be great to drive a go-kart on that track!

[@williamwofford4919]

Having Lewis on was an unexpected surprise!

[@AutoShenanigans]

Sometimes it's best to call in an "expert"

[@tdp2612]

That use of the orchestral Moon over the Castle is genuinely beautiful, and also a reminder of how great a version it is. Lovely looking place, shame Scarborough is so far away

[@derekr1113]

Really enjoyed that - thanks, super thanks, cheers

[@anidiotinaracingcar4874]

This as a one-way two-lane road would be fucking epic!

[@MrsG7swr]

i love you even more, squeezing Mr Ringway of Manchester in was a master stroke.

[@B-King_Mike]

Great memories of the cafe owner coming out and shouting at us when we were flying round there on our 125's about 35 years ago..... Been back many times since and still have a good whizz round when it's quiet. There's a video somewhere on FB of me doing a wheelie over the finish line. 😇

[@robtt997]

You talked about the telecommunications mast . But you were very close to Staxton Wold RAF radar station . Indeed you possibly might have been able to see it from where you were . It is the oldest still working radar station in the world. Also Scarborough boasts a GCHQ outpost on the Pickering road out of the town. Don’t tell a soul !

[@racerboyeddie]

the super niche crossover episode i never knew i needed. thanks guys

[@MikeWooshy]

Fantastic stuff, John. Thank you.

[@MikeWooshy]

Also the GT tune at the end, genius. It was like watching an episode of Initial D!

[@alexanderphillips6179]

Love the GT4 theme. So many weeks of my life spent listening to that.

[@IanTdob1966]

An FYI road racing on public roads used to take place at New Brighton on the Wirral, around the area known as the dips, including the A554. I believe the racing was stopped due to safety issues, however, the area is still used for Rally special stages. The organizing club was the Wirral 100 MotorClub, the now race at Anglesey and Oulton Park.

[@johnstilljohn3181]

Great stuff. The first time I went there, sitting in the café, I asked my mate where the circuit was. He told me I had parked on it - stunning place to watch ...!

[@jacquesvandenberg1873]

Awesome video mate!

[@jorddrives3988]

Thanks for giving some love to my local track, when I was in college we could hear the bikes screaming around the track from the classroom

[@milehighclassics]

Imagine a go cart race there

[@Daz_Stap]

Thank you, you have just created my next silly little road trip! What a great video.

[@audiencemember26008]

Music choice is perfect! Moon Over The Castle!

[@tobyjackman3212]

This is the best video I've ever seen about anything

[@patmatten]

Absolutely brilliant video and I'm going to make a point of visiting it next time i'm up there. the cafe looks worth a visit with some great views over Scarborough. thanks for taking the time to make this. cheers.

[@CheshireTomcat68]

Was not expecting the you tuber crossover from my interest in short wave radio and UK transport routes. Look forward to a Jago Hazzard and Tim Traveller connection soon.

[@mellowfellow6816]

That was a lovely shenanigan

[@peeciic00]

Amazing mate Your speech in the end with music in the background was great

[@gr1ff1ngton]

Really enjoyed this one - nice cameo appearance too 👍

[@Spyke-10100]

I genuinely didn't know this existed. Also, awesome inclusion of the music. Love it

[@the_bloke_that_cuts_the_grass]

That was super, wicked, awesome! Thanks John, really interesting.

[@kamucho]

Fantastic find

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

Brilliant video, thank you.

[@broadkamikaze]

I absolutely love watching the motorbikes race round here 👍 Fantastic views overlooking Scarborough 😍

[@andrewhotston983]

I really enjoyed watching that.

[@Soggymoggy42]

THAT LAP WAS MAD

[@godzillas6301]

This is .... and i dont say this lightly ..... one of the best videos ive ever seen about one of the most suprising and interesting things possible ..... im in awe Scarbrough you say ? righty , a cunning plan

[@AutoShenanigans]

Take a trip, it's a great day out! Thanks for watching mate

[@godzillas6301]

@@AutoShenanigans payday ill get you a beer in 🙂

[@RingwayManchester]

Gee that ringway guy sure knows his stuff!

[@philsharp758]

Modesty was never one of your stronger points. ;-)

[@RingwayManchester]

@@philsharp758 😂😂

[@philsharp758]

@@RingwayManchester Cheers. as always, all the best.

[@pd1596]

This is so cool!

[@pureboxofscartcables]

Brilliant!

[@Lot76CARS]

Excellent, I’d been there as a child but had forgotten all about it. What a super little road circuit it is!

[@ChristopherWoods]

Laughed out loud at the mast interruption, and another cracking vid 👍

[@jonc133]

Thank you for a bit of a blast from the past for me. I went to school near there, and Oliver's Mount was our cross country running area. Or as I knew, a nice stroll before lunch on a friday.

[@RichieRouge206]

What a really cool little track and definitely one I’d like to visit this! Great video as always John!

[@nervo6321]

Great video…I’ve spent many enjoyable race days there with my family and friends.

[@spitfire1962]

Ah, what a mixture. Racing track and mobile phone mast. Heaven

[@chrisbardell]

Great vid, wasn't aware of this at all. I've definitely got to cycle this one day: that downhill looks amazing. Thanks for another great film.

[@NeillWylie]

What a wonderful looking track!

[@GazMoby]

Look up the Ulster GP, Northwest 200, Cookstown and some other road races in Northern Ireland.

[@docslappy8946]

You beat me to it. 😃 NI is in the UK for those wondering. Nowadays these tracks are known for motorbike racing. However, from the 20s to 50s NI held car races at Newtonards, Dundrod, Ballyclare, Bangor etc. Moss, Fangio and Hawthorne raced here in the 50s. Nuvolari, Birkin, Bira and Howe in the 20s and 30s. You can still drive these roads \ circuits today and some have changed very little. Lots of clips on Pathe on KZbin too.

[@ScotlandsGold]

Magic, cheers

[@Axman6]

Love the crossover episode ❤

[@tmaddison7523]

Fantastic video John! I had no idea this place even existed, I'll definitely be there when the weather is good! Thank you for doing what you do ❤

[@minibus9]

awesome video

[@sonnylatchstring]

The amount of work, study, dedication and preparation you put into these videos is enormous. I enjoy every one of them. Greetings from a traffic engineer from the Netherlands

[@AutoShenanigans]

Hello there! What does a traffic engineer get involved with?

[@bongoloony]

Two of my favourite geeky KZbin channels in one show!

[@gregcolley9980]

I drove round olivers mount years ago while working in Scarborough and I defly agree there's no where else in the UK like it,well worth a visit,love the content great video