 The shale oval was eventually resurfaced with asphalt in 1982, enabling lap times to fall drastically and track records to tumble.It is even said that four times World Hot Rod champion Carl Boardley once got the quarter mile down to almost 12 seconds in unofficial practice, making Hednesford Europe's fastest quarter-mile oval.With the circuit built at the base of the reservoir, the circuit has the advantage of being at the bottom of a large "bowl", with grass banks surrounding the circuit providing excellent views for spectators.