New images have revealed the huge toll of the coronavirus pandemic on the automotive industry with photos showing Rockingham Motor Speedway – a former racing venue – now being used to stockpile thousands of unwanted vehicles.

The site, near Corby in Northamptonshire, has not hosted any racing since 2018 when the track was sold. 

It had previously hosted a range of events, from the British Touring Car Championship, stock-car and single-seater series and motor shows.

Today, it is being used as a storage facility for former hire and ex-lease vehicles before they are sent to auctions or second-hand dealers’ forecourts. 

Not lining up on the grid: Thousands of used cars are being stored at the former Rockingham Motor Speedway site in Northamptonshire, showing the huge toll the pandemic is having on the UK's automotive sector

Not lining up on the grid: Thousands of used cars are being stored at the former Rockingham Motor Speedway site in Northamptonshire, showing the huge toll the pandemic is having on the UK's automotive sector

Not lining up on the grid: Thousands of used cars are being stored at the former Rockingham Motor Speedway site in Northamptonshire, showing the huge toll the pandemic is having on the UK’s automotive sector

Rockingham Motor Speedway opened in 2001 but went into administration in 2016 and was closed as a circuit location in 2019. 

Built on a former British Steel quarry site, owners spent a decade putting the plans together and the motorsport desitnation was built at a cost of £70million over 23 months. 

It was originally conceived as an American-style high-speed oval track as part of ambitious plans to attract huge US racing series likes of Nascar and the single-seater Champ Car championship – the latter of which was the first event held at the track in 2001 and returned the following year before ties were cut. 

Rockingham's five massive grandstands used by spectators have since been ripped down to turn the race track into a storage hub used by the UK motor industry
It is now stockpiling thousands of used vehicles
Slide me

From this to this in a matter of years: Rockingham’s five massive grandstands used by spectators have since been ripped down to turn the race track into a storage hub used by the UK motor industry. It is now stockpiling thousands of used vehicles

From 2001 to the end of 2007, Rockingham organised and funded American-style stockcar racing on the oval. Originally known as ASCAR, the series changed name to "Days of Thunder", and then to SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association), before re-branding to the MAC Tools V8 Trophy for its final season in 2007

From 2001 to the end of 2007, Rockingham organised and funded American-style stockcar racing on the oval. Originally known as ASCAR, the series changed name to "Days of Thunder", and then to SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association), before re-branding to the MAC Tools V8 Trophy for its final season in 2007

From 2001 to the end of 2007, Rockingham organised and funded American-style stockcar racing on the oval. Originally known as ASCAR, the series changed name to ‘Days of Thunder’, and then to SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association), before re-branding to the MAC Tools V8 Trophy for its final season in 2007

Both the oval and the infield circuit (pictured) are now being used to stockpile up to 50,000 vehicles at a time

Both the oval and the infield circuit (pictured) are now being used to stockpile up to 50,000 vehicles at a time

Both the oval and the infield circuit (pictured) are now being used to stockpile up to 50,000 vehicles at a time

Just two decades after opening, the five grandstands at the circuit – some of them having previously been packed with spectators while othersnot used since the first event in 2001  – have since been ripped down as part of efforts to turn the site into a logistics hub for the car industry.

The 250-acre site, which is owned by Rockingham Automotive Limited, has the capacity to hold up to 50,000 cars and vans at one time.

The pictures of vehicles parked bumper-to-bumper on the circuit’s infield and the oval raceway around it is a stark presentation of the recent difficult months endured by the motor industry as a result of Covid-19.

Rockingham hosted British Touring Car Championship races between the years of 2003 and 2018, when the circuit was eventually sold

Rockingham hosted British Touring Car Championship races between the years of 2003 and 2018, when the circuit was eventually sold

Rockingham hosted British Touring Car Championship races between the years of 2003 and 2018, when the circuit was eventually sold

Rockingham had 13 configurations of track, which could be used for anything from touring cars to motorcycles to rally cars

Rockingham had 13 configurations of track, which could be used for anything from touring cars to motorcycles to rally cars

Rockingham had 13 configurations of track, which could be used for anything from touring cars to motorcycles to rally cars

Now a storage facility, it is holding mostly former hire and ex-lease vehicles before they are sent to auctions or second-hand dealers’ forecourts

Now a storage facility, it is holding mostly former hire and ex-lease vehicles before they are sent to auctions or second-hand dealers’ forecourts

Now a storage facility, it is holding mostly former hire and ex-lease vehicles before they are sent to auctions or second-hand dealers’ forecourts

The 250-acre site, which is owned by Rockingham Automotive Limited, was a former British Steel quarry

The 250-acre site, which is owned by Rockingham Automotive Limited, was a former British Steel quarry

The 250-acre site, which is owned by Rockingham Automotive Limited, was a former British Steel quarry

Cars, vans and trucks are parked bumper-to-bumper at the site in Corby, Northamptonshire. It is a stark showcase of the turbulent year for the automotive sector

Cars, vans and trucks are parked bumper-to-bumper at the site in Corby, Northamptonshire. It is a stark showcase of the turbulent year for the automotive sector

Cars, vans and trucks are parked bumper-to-bumper at the site in Corby, Northamptonshire. It is a stark showcase of the turbulent year for the automotive sector

Industry bosses have referred to 2020 as a ‘lost year’ for the automotive sector, with new car sales down by almost a third – the biggest year-on-year decline since the height of the Second World War.

With just 1.63million new cars registered, it was also the lowest number of motor sales seen in the UK for 28 years.

The pandemic has also impacted the volume of second-hand vehicle transactions, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders confirming a decline of 15 per cent last year.

Less than 6.8 million used cars changed hands in 2020, down almost 1.2 million on the previous year.

The 1.6million new cars registered in Britain in 2020 is the lowest level since 1992, it has been confirmed

The 1.6million new cars registered in Britain in 2020 is the lowest level since 1992, it has been confirmed

The 1.6million new cars registered in Britain in 2020 is the lowest level since 1992, it has been confirmed

Second-hand car transactions also fell, though by less than new registrations. The 15% decline in sales to 6.7million was the lowest level since 2012

Second-hand car transactions also fell, though by less than new registrations. The 15% decline in sales to 6.7million was the lowest level since 2012

Second-hand car transactions also fell, though by less than new registrations. The 15% decline in sales to 6.7million was the lowest level since 2012

Rockingham Motor Speedway was also used for other events, such as the Performance Vauxhall Show, which last took place in 2017

Rockingham Motor Speedway was also used for other events, such as the Performance Vauxhall Show, which last took place in 2017

Rockingham Motor Speedway was also used for other events, such as the Performance Vauxhall Show, which last took place in 2017

With new car registrations plunging by 30% and used sales down 15% in 2020, it means motor dealers sold 1.9million fewer vehicles in total than the 12 months previous

With new car registrations plunging by 30% and used sales down 15% in 2020, it means motor dealers sold 1.9million fewer vehicles in total than the 12 months previous

With new car registrations plunging by 30% and used sales down 15% in 2020, it means motor dealers sold 1.9million fewer vehicles in total than the 12 months previous

It meant second-hand vehicle transactions had slipped to the lowest level since 2012 with the trade body saying lockdown measures and ‘turbulent consumer and business confidence’ had dented sales of both new and used vehicles.

With new car registrations also plunging by 30 per cent last year, it means motor dealers sold 1.9million fewer vehicles in total than the 12 months previous.

SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, said these figures were ‘evidence of the significant damage coronavirus has caused the automotive sector’.

In a statement made earlier this month, he added: ‘The priority now must be to allow car showrooms to re-open as soon as restrictions are eased.

‘This will not only help the used market recover, supporting jobs and livelihoods and providing individuals with the personal mobility they need at a time when guidance is against using public or shared transport, but it will also enable the latest and cleanest vehicles to filter through to second owners and keep society moving.’

Industry bosses have described 2020 as a 'lost year for the automotive sector' with showrooms and dealerships being forced to close for months during lockdowns and tough Covid restrictions

Industry bosses have described 2020 as a 'lost year for the automotive sector' with showrooms and dealerships being forced to close for months during lockdowns and tough Covid restrictions

Industry bosses have described 2020 as a ‘lost year for the automotive sector’ with showrooms and dealerships being forced to close for months during lockdowns and tough Covid restrictions 

The images of thousands of vehicles stored at the former Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby wee taken on Wednesday

The images of thousands of vehicles stored at the former Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby wee taken on Wednesday

The images of thousands of vehicles stored at the former Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby wee taken on Wednesday

CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk

You May Also Like

Commodities giant BHP bans late night drinking sessions

A London-listed commodities giant is facing a revolt at its mining camps…

My husband donates money to the church, but leaves me short

It’s not about the money, says Mariella Frostrup. You describe your husband…

Interest-only mortgages: a godsend for UK borrowers (if you can get one)

Such deals can halve your monthly payments but lenders are picky and…

Household energy bills set to fall below £2,000 for first time since energy crisis began last year

HOUSEHOLD gas and electricity bills are set to fall below £2,000 in…