History of the Club

         
   Model car racing in Southend was born in 1982 out of the desire by Ray Cockman, his brother and a few other RC enthusiasts to find a winter race format more suitable than radio control model boats on Southchurch Park pond!

Model cars were not as readily available as they are now, and many were home-made - using the technology from the boatbuilding activities. Lap counting relied on observers with stop watches until Ray wrote a lap-counting programme on his Commodore 64 computer (a very primitive instrument by today's standards).

Ray found the Eastwoodbury Lane site to set up an outdoor (buggy) track for a summer venue - where 100 or more racers competed every week.
The circuit was gradually developed from a flat grass area to include the banks and hills seen today, together with a mixed surface of astro-turf and concrete. 
The drivers rostrum was much smaller, and the timing hut was located at Marshal Point 4.

   The first 'all tarmac' layout was created in 1999, to meet the growing popularity of saloon car racing. Most of the inclines and switchbacks were kept - which makes the track very different to other saloon car tracks around the country!
The track was changed again in 2004 to make it faster and improve the tarmac surface.

At one time, the Club offered 'oval' racing and a separate venue on Friday nights as well as the current Tuesday and Sunday events. All were heavily supported, and a large committee was needed to keep everything under control.

The Club has always produced high class drivers, many of whom enter the national and even international circuits - we think it is something to do with the skills learned at Southend - where drivers have the opportunity to learn and hone their skills on either carpet or tarmac - or both!

Ray Cockman is now the oldest member of the club, but he is as active as ever. The Club owes much to his dedication.