By: S. S. Collins, David Page .
Introduction:
The place is magic; better than Monaco" — not a description you would expect to hear of England's much derided second city, but Stefano Modena meant it. He was stepping from the cockpit of his Formula 3000 racer at the time: "Birmingham is something else; it is fantastic for the people of the city as well as for the people taking part. The circuit is not dangerous, as can be the case with street tracks — the drivers say it is bumpy, but then it's a street circuit so it would be bumpy, Birmingham is not an exception. I had no great problems with it, and in my opinion, Birmingham is a wonderful race."
That 'wonderful race' took place for five years, a half decade where the excitement and glamour of international motor racing came to the streets of the West Midlands. But those five years have now faded into obscurity. This is the story of how the races came about, and how they came to such a premature end. This is the story of the Superprix.
SS Collins & David Page
The story of Superprix, Birmingham's very own road race - the subject of much controversy amongst residents of the city, politicians' and race fans alike.
The SuperPrix was a motor racing meeting held over August Bank Holiday on a street circuit in the centre of Birmingham, from 1986 to 1990. The principal event was the Formula 3000 Championship race, but support races included touring cars and sports cars. The idea of a motor race in the heart of England's nlotor city (to emulate the Monaco circuit) had been mooted as early as 1966. In the end, the city's arterial roads round the Bull Ring and the city centre provided one of the most exciting racing events ever staged in the UK.