EMIAC 88: From Runway to Race Track

Northampton, 18th October 2014

Conference Details

Introduction

Almost from the day the RAF vacated their base at Silverstone, the runways of the former air base have been used for motor sport, be it on two wheels or four wheels. In 1964 Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth set up a factory in Northampton to design and manufacture high performance engines that were to be used in all levels of competitive sport up to and including Formula 1.

Since then another engine manufacturer and two F1 teams have been established in the county; together with many component suppliers and associated engineering facilities.

As part of their 50th celebrations, Cosworth Engineering has kindly allowed us to use their presentation facility for this event. In the afternoon we have been offered a tour of their facility.

Programme

Organised by NIAG and was to have been held on Saturday 18th October 2014 in Northampton.

The draft conference programme is:

09:00 Registration with tea/coffee

09:30 Welcome and Introduction

10:00 The War Years at Silverstone

10:40 Break

11:10 50 years designing and manufacturing high performance engines

12:00 Advances in design of high performance cars

12:40 EMIAC Business Meeting

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Tour of Cosworth Engineering's facility.

16:30 Tea and departure

 

Cancelled due to the non-availability of keynote speaker.

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Cosworth V8 engine for Champ Car races in 2004
The Cosworth V8 engine for the 2004 Champ Car races.

Image courtesy of Cosworth Engineering.

old map of the airfield
Silverstone base was an Operational Training Unit as part of 92 Group during the war years.

Image courtesy of Roger Saunders collection.

Conference Report

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Additional material

The following websites provide additional background to the papers presented:

Please note: Although checked at the time of writing, NIAG cannot be held responsible for the validity of these links or the integrity of these sites.

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Images taken during the visit

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