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      Inside abandoned once-iconic UK stadium with weeds growing on track after falling into disrepair

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      A FORMER iconic UK stadium fell into disrepair before eventually being demolished.It was once one of the main sites in British motorsport and greyhound racing for 94 years.
      This iconic stadium fell into disrepairCredit: YouTube/The Urban Collective
      The rail was left broken and fell apartCredit: YouTube
      The racetrack made a miserable demiseCredit: YouTube
      The former stands overgrew with weedsCredit: YouTube/The Urban Collective
      Speedway was a regular fixture at the Manchester arena from 1988 through to 2015.
      But by 2020, the venue had been totally abandoned in a sad demise for the area.
      And images of the derelict ground reveal how much of a state it was in before the work to destroy it got underway in May 2021.
      The track was overgrown with weeds while the rail had fallen apart and broken up.
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      Further footage showed the abandoned hospitality suites, empty bars, wrecked rooms and damaged ceilings stuck in time since the doors closed for the final time to the public in 2020.
      Elsewhere, the betting boards started to crumble and the control room looks like something from an apocalypse movie.
      The famous ground is Belle Vue Stadium – home of the Belle Vue Aces speedway team until they moved to their purpose-built national stadium in 2016.
      For nearly a century, though, it was one of the key stadiums for greyhound racing.
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      It staged the first race around an oval track in Britain way back in 1926.
      However, when the National Asset Management Agency sold Belle Vue Stadium to Crown Oil Pension Fund in 2014 for £2.6million, a 15-year, £249,000-per-year lease back was agreed.
      But the tenancy included a clause which enabled the rent to be terminated early.
      And in December 2019 planning permission was granted for a new housing estate to be built on the plot.
      That prompted Belle Vue’s closure during the Covid pandemic before the bulldozers arrived the following year.
      The abandoned ground looked totally wreckedCredit: YouTube/The Urban Collective
      It closed its doors to the public in 2020Credit: YouTube/The Urban Collective
      Bellue Vue Stadium was once a key home for greyhound racingCredit: Alamy
      It was the home of the Belle Vue AcesCredit: Alamy
      The stadium was located in South-East ManchesterCredit: Alamy More

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      Inside abandoned racetrack that hosted first ever British Grand Prix but is left overgrown after being bombed during war

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      THE racetrack which hosted the first ever British Grand Prix is now overgrown and abandoned.Having been bombed during the Second World War, the track never re-opened for racing once the conflict ended.
      The racetrack which hosted the first ever British Grand Prix is now abandonedCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Brooklands Racetrack is now overgrown and covered in grassCredit: Alan Hunt (Creative Commons)
      Brooklands Racetrack was put out of use after being bombed during the Second World WarCredit: John Chapman CC BY-SA 3.0
      It had been used by the military during both World Wars after first opening in 1907 as the first racetrack of its kind.
      However, Brooklands Racetrack now looks unrecognisable over a century on.
      The track, which is located in Weybridge, Surrey, was the UK’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit.
      With a unique design, the circuit had a 30-foot-high, banked-corner made of concrete.
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      Brooklands’ look even predated the iconic Indianapolis Speedway circuit.
      After less than a decade in operation, the track closed during World War I and was claimed by the War Office.
      During that time, it became a major location for military aircraft construction, with the aerodrome built in 1909 used as a flying training centre.
      Once the war ended, racing resumed on the track in 1920 after required track repairs had been carried out.
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      Brooklands Racetrack opened in 1907Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Brooklands Racetrack hosted the first British Grand Prix in 1926Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      The first-ever British Grand Prix was held at the circuit in 1926, with sand chicanes and a finishing straight constructed.
      Racing would be forced to stop for good with the outbreak of World War II, with the final meeting held less than a month before the war started in 1939.
      The aerodrome was again claimed by the government and used to produce military aircraft.
      Bombs also landed on the track during the conflict, with the site not handed back over by the government until 1949.
      Nowadays, the Brooklands’ remaining features are covered in overgrown grass and surrounded by trees.
      Brooklands Racetrack closed during both the First and Second World WarCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Brooklands Racetrack was not used for racing again after the Second World WarCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      The iconic banked-corners can still be seen, though, dropping down to the side of a busy road and overlooking a nearby supermarket.
      It is a fate that has befallen other racetracks, including the Buddh International Circuit in India, which still has the names of drivers on display around the track. More

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      Ralf Schumacher’s Playboy model ex-wife Cora joins OnlyFans and teases topless pictures

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      CORA SCHUMACHER, the ex-wife of former Formula One star Ralf Schumacher, has announced she has joined OnlyFans. The German actress is no stranger to stripping off.
      Cora Schumacher has announced she is joining OnlyFansCredit: @coraschumacher / instagram
      Cora declared her page will be ‘revealing’Credit: @coraschumacher / instagram
      She has previously modelled for PlayboyCredit: @coraschumacher / instagram
      But with the Playboy model now announcing she is joining OnlyFans, she has declared the new page will be “revealing”.
      In an interview with Bild, she said: “My page on OnlyFans will be revealing, but will definitely remain aesthetic.
      “I love my body and why shouldn’t I share that with others? That shouldn’t really be a problem since Playboy.”
      She also hit back at doubters of the move.
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      Cora added: “I am 46 years old and feel very comfortable in my own skin. Why shouldn’t I share a topless photo or two with the public?”
      The decision to join OnlyFans comes after her battles with menopause, which she says left her “miserable” and “slightly depressed”.
      She explained: “I blew up like a bag of cheese and felt like Spongebob about to explode.
      “It went down a very deep, dark valley with my self-esteem and self-love.”
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      Cora was married to Ralf Schumacher from 2001 until 2015Credit: EPA
      She has 168,000 Instagram followersCredit: @coraschumacher / instagram
      Cora, who has 168,000 followers on Instagram, was married to Ralf Schumacher – the younger brother of seven-time F1 champ Michael – between 2001 and 2015.
      During this time the pair had one son together named David, who is now 21.
      Despite having a legion of fans, they will still need to pay £20 to access the content on her page.
      The bio reads: “Hey this is Cora Schumacher, here and only here you can experience me from my very private side and exclusively participate in my life…
      “You can only see such private content here… I’m happy to answer your questions, and I’m happy if you write to me.”
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      F1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2023: Start time, TV channel, live stream and schedule as Verstappen eyes seventh straight win

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN extended his run to six consecutive Grand Prix wins following his triumph at Silverstone last time out.Should the Dutchman win again in Hungary, he will join the likes of Nico Rosberg, Michael Schumacher and Alberto Ascari on seven successive wins.
      Max Verstappen after winning the British Grand Prix at the SilverstoneCredit: GETTY
      Verstappen could break Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive wins this season if he keeps up his current form.
      Red Bull are also seeking a record for successive victories by an F1 constructor as they eye a 12th straight win in Hungary.
      The Austrian outfit equalled McLaren’s record of 11 consecutive wins after Verstappen’s victory at the British Grand Prix.
      In other news, Daniel Ricciardo will make his F1 comeback at the Hungarian Grand Prix and replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri.
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      When is the Hungarian Grand Prix 2023

      The Hungarian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, July 23.
      The race is scheduled to begin at 2pm BST.
      The Hungaroring will be the racetrack.

      What channel is the Hungarian Grand Prix 2023 on and can it be live streamed?

      The Hungarian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
      Sky Sports customers can live stream the Hungarian Grand Prix via the NOW app.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all of the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

      Full schedule
      Friday, July 21

      Practice 1: 12.30pm – 1.30pm
      Practice 2: 4pm – 5pm

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      Saturday, July 22

      Practice 3: 11.30am – 12.30pm
      Qualifying: 3pm – 4pm

      Sunday, July 23

      Grand Prix: 2pm

      Full F1 calendar
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Shakira touches down in Miami with her sons as Lewis Hamilton enjoys beach holiday with tennis star & actress

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      SHAKIRA has returned to Miami ending a party-filled European trip, while her rumoured beau Lewis Hamilton enjoys downtime in Ibiza with a stunning young athlete.The Colombian songstress, 46, touched down looking calm and cool as speculation grows of a fiery new romance with NBA star Jimmy Butler.
      Shakira arrives into Miami Airport with her two sons, Milan and SashaCredit: Splash
      Amid swirling rumours with two sporting aces, Shakira looked cool and carefreeCredit: Splash
      The F1 star has been enjoying Ibiza on a yacht with famous faces including a tennis player and actressCredit: Splash
      Hamilton braved the heat in a full tracksuit as a bikini-clad woman caught his eyeCredit: Splash
      The Mercedes driver was spotted looking cosy with 20-year-old Jenny Stray SpetalenCredit: Splash
      Amid the possible “love triangle”, Shakira looked carefree as she walked through the airport in oversized sunglasses and a grey print jumpsuit that teased fans with a view of her black bra.
      A bag was slung over her shoulder that said: “To Open” and “Not For Sale” as she gripped onto both Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, who she shares with her footballer ex Gerard Pique.
      Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was spotted soaking up the rays on a yacht with 20-year-old tennis-player and heiress Jenny Stray Spetalen and Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez.
      With the F1 star away on the party island, Shakira was spotted getting “cosy” at an exclusive bar in London last week with basketball legend Jimmy Butler, presumably on a date.
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      This week, an insider shared that the NBA ace makes Shakira “smile”, while she’s reportedly not to be bothered “whatsoever” by their 13-year gap.
      The source told Us Weekly: “They have been out a few times, but things are very new and it’s too early to tell if there’s long-term potential there.

      “Jimmy makes Shakira smile, and she feels happy spending time with him.”
      The source also added: “They have been out a few times, but things are very new and it’s too early to tell if there’s long-term potential there.”
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      Shakira and Butler were first linked after the Colombian singer was spotted courtside during last month’s NBA Finals.
      The pair began connected on Instagram following the game, with Butler – who plays for the Miami Heat – recently liking a snap of the singer after she wowed at Paris Fashion Week.
      The insider’s claims came only days after the British Grand Prix, where Shakira arrived just in time, which helped to rev up rumours she was in town to support her alleged beau, Hamilton.
      The rumoured A-list couple were caught partying late into the night after the racing driver sped to a third place finish at his home circuit.
      The pair have long been rumoured to be secretly dating after a series of intimate outings together.
      Shakira watched Hamilton from the Mercedes team’s VIP area, just as she had had cheered him on at the Spanish Grand Prix last month.
      Afterwards the Barcelona race they were snapped looking smitten as they had cocktails with friends.
      In May, Shakira also watched Hamilton race in Miami – her new home town since moving to the US earlier this year.
      The pair were seen on a boat together after the race, where Lewis showed off his chivalry after picking her up from the back of her £12million beach mansion.
      Hamilton looks relaxed despite rumours of a possible romance between Shakira and NBA star Jimmy ButlerCredit: Splash
      The 7-time world champion stayed behind to party in Ibiza, while Shakira touched down in her home city of MiamiCredit: Splash
      Hamilton showed off his ripped abs as he enjoyed a well-deserved break from the busy F1 seasonCredit: Splash
      The alleged pair have been seen out and about together regularly in the last two monthsCredit: Instagram – Mustafa
      However, now Jimmy Butler has come storming into the picture fuelling new speculation of a ‘love triangle’Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      F1 star Max Verstappen’s stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet sizzles in barely-there bikini on holiday and fans lap it up

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN’S girlfriend Kelly Piquet stunned in a tiny bikini as she took a break from life in the fast lane.The model is enjoying some time in the sun after attending the wedding of her best friend earlier this month.
      Kelly Piquet stunned in a polka dot bikiniCredit: Instagram / @kellypiquet
      She is enjoying a holiday with her daughter PenelopeCredit: Splash
      Kelly works as a modelCredit: Instagram / @kellypiquet
      She has dated Max Verstappen since late 2020Credit: Getty
      Kelly is the daughter of F1 legend Nelson Piquet SrCredit: Splash
      And she dazzled in a polka dot bikini that left little to the imagination.
      Kelly shared snaps of a boat trip on Instagram, while she also went paddleboarding with her three-year-old daughter Penelope.
      Fans were impressed Kelly’s look as one commented: “Beautiful ❤️”
      Another added: “Gorgeous 💕”
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      And a third said: “”You are so beautiful, you can’t be from this world🥰”
      Kelly, 34, began dating Verstappen in late 2020 and recently had to squash rumours they have split.
      The Brazilian also comes from an F1 background with Kelly’s father Nelson a legend of the sport.
      Verstappen, 25, is on course to equal his three world championship wins after winning the last five races.
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      Most recently the Dutchman conquered Silverstone and is now preparing for the final two Grands Prix before the summer break.
      The world number one is best known for his F1 performances but is also a big star in the world of simulation races.
      He often takes part in virtual F1 tournaments and was disqualified from competition this week after ramming into an opponent.
      After the first hour, a racer from an opposing team, Sven-Ole Haase, hit Verstappen from behind, causing him to crash into his team-mate.
      This led both drivers to spin out of control, putting the team behind their competition.
      Later in the race, Verstappen took an off-track shortcut and caught up with Haase.
      Then when Haase broke for a corner, Verstappen refused to, and rammed Haase’s car.
      The car was rammed off the track and into the barriers. More

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      Legendary F1 car suffers major damage in ‘very bizarre incident’ at Goodwood Festival of Speed

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      A LEGENDARY Formula One car has suffered major damage after a “very bizarre incident” at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.The Leyton House, one of iconic engineer Adrian Newey’s first F1 cars, was the victim of the accident.
      A legendary F1 car was left in a wreck after a ‘very bizarre incident’ at GoodwoodCredit: Goodwood festival
      The scheduled Saturday run was cancelled due to storms, but the packed timetable went ahead as normal after the weather cleared up.
      A host of historic cars from all types of motorsport were driven up the famous Goodwood Estate hill.
      However one of those motors, an Adrian Newey-designed Leyton House Judd CG901 from 1990, appeared to suffer mechanical failure as the driver approached the Molcomb corner.
      The car then spun around and crashed into some nearby straw bales that lined the road.
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      It then bounced onto the track as the marshals pulled out and began waving the red flags.
      Fortunately for driver Richard Hope, he escaped uninjured.
      And he managed to climb out of the vehicle while the debris was quickly cleared up.
      Karun Chandhok, who was driving a McLaren Can-Am motor up the hill. was the next driver approaching following the crash.
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      Commentator Alex Jacques said as the replay was shown: “This is the Leyton House F1 car that put [Adrian Newey] on the map.
      “Hitting the brakes, and around into the straw.”
      Co-commentator Alice Powell then said: “That’s a very bizarre incident, it looks like it just locked up the rear tyres there and, at that point, the driver is a passenger.
      “The hay bales, the straw bales did their job but that’s an expensive crash.”
      She then added: “I don’t think that is possibly on the driver, that looks like some other issue there because the rear has just instantly locked.”
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      Lewis Hamilton takes yacht trip with 20-year-old tennis ace and Mexican actress days after partying with Shakira

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been enjoying some downtime in Ibiza after coming third at last weekend’s British Grand Prix.The 38-year-old grabbed a place on the podium at Silverstone, before partying into the night with pop superstar Shakira.
      Lewis Hamilton relaxed onboard a yacht alongside Jenny Stray SpetalenCredit: Splash
      Sir Lewis and Jenny enjoyed the glorious sunshineCredit: Splash
      The group are holidaying in IbizaCredit: Splash
      Having flown over to watch Sir Lewis at the British GP, Shakira joined him at celeb haunt Tape London – with the pair chatting together before she left at around 3:30am.
      With Formula 1 stars having this weekend off, Hamilton has headed to Ibiza for some relaxation.
      The Mercedes star has been hanging out on a yacht in the sunshine, and was joined by some other famous faces.
      Hamilton was pictured alongside 20-year-old Jenny Stray Spetalen, daughter of Norwegian tycoon Oystein Stray Spetalen.
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      Also onboard were Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez, Romeo + Juliet director Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin.
      Jenny has previously tried her hand at tennis.
      She competed in singles at three tournaments in Norway between 2016 and 2019 – but won just two games across three matches.
      Gonzalez, 33, has starred in a number of films and TV series – and is set to appear in Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare alongside Henry Cavill next year.
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      Jenny previously tried her hand at tennisCredit: Splash
      Hamilto, 38, is enjoying a weekend off from F1Credit: Splash
      Actress Eiza Gonzalez was also in attendanceCredit: Splash
      Gonzalez is set to appear in an upcoming Guy Ritchie movieCredit: Splash
      Baz Luhrmann and wife Catherine Martin were also among the groupCredit: Splash
      With Hamilton enjoying himself in Ibiza, Shakira headed to yesterday’s Wimbledon men’s semi-finals.
      The 46-year-old was in attendance on Centre Court as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz booked their places in Sunday’s final.
      Also in attendance at Wimbledon this week has been Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

      Shakira is rumoured to be dating the 33-year-old, with the duo heading out in Mayfair together earlier this week.
      Hamilton is set to return to action next week at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
      The seven-time world champion will attempt to grab his first win since 2021, although Max Verstappen will be tough to stop in his far superior Red Bull.
      Hamilton recently enjoyed a night out with ShakiraCredit: Instagram – Mustafa
      Shakira watched the tennis on Centre Court yesterdayCredit: Getty
      The singer was recently spotted out with Miami Heat star Jimmy ButlerCredit: Getty Images – Getty More