The local by-laws of the old Aberdare UDC permitted Aberdare
Park to be closed for five days each year and in the early
days (1950's) two of these were set aside for motorcycle
races. The first of the year being in June and the second
in August. The course was set on the perimeter/service road
of the park and was unusual in the respect that racing took
place in an anti-clockwise direction. The course was quite
slow but by 1955 John Surtees who later became World Champion
set records in the 250cc, 350cc and 500cc classes with the
lap record held by his 500cc machine at 56.95mph. Other famous
names from these early years include Bob McIntyre, Mike Hailwood
and C.C. "Sandie" Sandford who raced at the park on a number
of occasions.
The difficult nature of the course was indicated by
the slow increase in the lap record speed. By 1979 despite
advances in machine and tyre technology the 500cc lap record
had only been raised a few mph to 59.73mph by another famous
name - John Cooper. Reasons for this might also include
the 14 year break in racing from 1964 to 1978. Racing continues
into the 21st century.
The photograph (Circa 1961) opposite shows a group of
riders between Ramsey and Maypole corners. The boating
lake was to the right of the leading rider and has been
known to be a cool-off point for some of the more inexperienced
riders.
