Buckmore Park Kart Circuit

Buckmore Park Kart Circuit
LocationChatham, Kent, England
Coordinates51°20′35″N 0°30′05″E / 51.34306°N 0.50139°E / 51.34306; 0.50139
Capacity1000 (spectators, estimated)
OwnerMartell-Surtees Family
OperatorBuckmore Park Karting Ltd.
AddressBuckmore Park, Maidstone Road, Chatham ME5 9QX, England
Broke ground1963
Opened1963
ArchitectRoyal School of Military Engineering (original layout)
Former namesBuckmore Park Kart Racing School (facility)
Major events
Websitewww.buckmore.co.uk
SurfaceAsphalt
Length900 m (0.56 mi)
Turns12
BankingNone
Race lap record0:37.82 (Amanda Lassu, DD2 kart, 2007, DD2)
Club Circuit
Length0.60 km (0.37 mi)
Turns7

Buckmore Park Kart Circuit is an MSA approved outdoor kart racing circuit located just off junction 3 of the M2 in Chatham, Kent, England.[1] The circuit is owned by Rich Martell and Leonora Martell-Surtees, daughter of the late John Surtees, with Phil Ling serving as the Managing Director.[2] Situated in a woodland setting between the M2 and M20 motorways directly above High Speed 1, its proximity to London makes it Britain's busiest circuit. The circuit has seven different fleets of kart and offers karting experiences for all ages and experience levels.

Buckmore Park is a circuit where many current and past Formula One drivers learned their trade, including Johnny Herbert and Formula 1 champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, who was originally discovered by Ron Dennis in the 1996 Champions of the Future Event held at Buckmore Park. Recent alumni include Lando Norris (F1, McLaren), Ollie Bearman (F1, Haas), Jack Aitken, and Alice Powell.[3] Although Buckmore Park is primarily a race circuit, it also has a simulator suite, on-site conference and catering facilities.[4]

History

The circuit originated in the early 1900s when local businessman Cecil Whitehead developed a track on woodland leased by local scouts. Designed with the help of Doug Jest, the local Rochester Motor Club, and Camberley Kart Club, the track opened in 1963 as an engineering exercise by the Royal School of Military Engineering.[5]

After falling into disrepair in the 1980s, new owners redeveloped the circuit in 1985. It received an MSA licence, began hosting events in 1989, staged its first national championship in 1992, and was extended to full international length in 1999. A new £1.25m clubhouse was opened in 2003 by Stirling Moss, Bernie Ecclestone, and John Surtees.[6] In 2015, John Surtees bought the circuit and commenced a redevelopment involving a large number of safety upgrades. After John's death in 2017, his daughter Leonora and son-in-law, Richard, took over the running of the circuit.[7]

The Paddock Development

In July 2025, Buckmore Park received planning permission for "The Paddock”, a new motorsport-themed venue on the circuit site.[8] The complex will feature a 120-seat restaurant and sports bar, eighteen racing simulators, a 1,000 sq ft rooftop terrace overlooking the circuit, a conference and briefing suite, and displays of historic motorsport vehicles. The development is intended to pay tribute tribute to late Formula One champion John Surtees and is expected to create around 30 new jobs upon opening.[9][10]

Driver Development Programme

Buckmore Park launched its Driver Development Programme in 2024 as an elite, week-long training camp for young karting drivers. The programme covers driving technique, racecraft, engineering and data analysis, fitness and nutrition, mental preparation, media training, and career planning in motorsport. Its permanent home will be within The Paddock complex. Early graduates have secured placements and competitive opportunities.[11][12]

Buckmore Kart Racing School

The Buckmore Kart School has been preparing drivers for success in Motorsport since 1972 and has trained more than 20 European and British kart champions. There are both introductory and more in-depth training options for ages 8+. As well as a Bambino School & club for ages 6–7.[13]

Types of Hire Event

Buckmore Park is known for its Hire Kart Club which regularly hosts events for its members. Sprint events include the Grand Prix League, National Sprint, International Sprint, and Junior Kart Club classes. Endurance races include Solo 30, Solo 45, Pro Series, and team races including 3-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour events. The circuit also hosts Arrive & Drive sessions, corporate events, private hires, national owner-driver races, and the annual 24-hour endurance race. The 2024 edition featured YouTube group the Sidemen, raising national exposure.[14]

Star Pupil

At the end of each hire season, Buckmore hosts an annual 'Star Pupil' day, recognizing top drivers across hire kart categories. Winners are judged on track performance as well as courtesy and behaviour off-track. Buckmore now also holds Rookie of the Year and Junior/Bambino Star Pupil events.[15]

Lap records

Adults

/time kart track date class time
Joseph Mason SODI RT8 International 28/04/19 N/A 48.665
Reece Harris SODI RT8 National 22/10/18 N/A 49.001
Fraser Brunton SODI RT8 International 14/04/19 Super Light 49.002
Lewis Appiagyei SODI RT8 International 18/10/20 Lights 49.073
Neil Strachan SODI RT8 International 18/10/20 Heavy 49.472
Jasper Stewart-Staff SODI RT8 International 29/04/23 N/A 48.912
Harrison Brooks SODI RT10 International 01/06/23 Light 48.352
Michael Jones SODI RT10 International 28/05/23 Heavy 48.819

Juniors

Name Kart Circuit Date Class Time
Yusuf Yaqoob Bambino Club 26/07/18 N/A 24.148
Maria Ruberto Bambino National 24/07/20 N/A 34.653
Connot Hobbs SODI Junior International 14/08/13 N/A 53.737
Lewis Appiagyei SODI Junior National 07/12/13 N/A 33.079
Will Ovenden SODI RT8 International 07/12/19 Light 48.906
Kye Kinch SODI RT8 International 23/03/19 Standard 49.020
Fraser Brunton SODI RT8 National 30/08/18 Light 30.488
Vincent Osborne SODI RT8 National 05/01/19 Standard 30.806
Jasper Stewart-Staff SODI RT10 International 30/04/23 Light 48.603

Last Updated: 01 September 2024
Source1: Hire-Kart Source2: Owner Driver

See also

References

  1. ^ Zambartas, Daniel. "From the brink of closure to plans for a game-changing motorsports centre - the tale of Buckmore Park". insidermedia.com. Insider Media. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  2. ^ "Motorsport icon John Surtees buys leading Kent race track where Lewis Hamilton learned his trade". Kent and Sussex Courier. wayback machine: Local World. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  3. ^ "History of Buckmore Park Kart Circuit where Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Johnny Herbert used to race". Kent Online. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  4. ^ Smith, Alan. "Buckmore Park congratulates Lando Norris on Miami F1 victory". kentonline.co.uk. Kent Online UK. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  5. ^ "50 years of Buckmore Park kart circuit 1963-2013". Karting Magazine. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  6. ^ "2003 Buckmore Park Clubhouse Launch". stirlingmoss.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  7. ^ "John Surtees buys Buckmore Park". Kent Online. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Grand plans for Buckmore Park…". Motor Spot UK. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Buckmore Park announces Paddock development". BBC News. 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Karting circuit has plans for racing-themed hub". bbc.co.uk. British Broadcasting Corporation UK. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Buckmore Park Driver Development Programme". Buckmore.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  12. ^ Maisner, Stuart. "Karting scheme aimed at finding a future champion". bbc.com. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  13. ^ "The Sisley Kart Racing School". Buckmore.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  14. ^ "Buckmore Park 24-Hour Event 2024". Diamond Gamer. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  15. ^ Deighton, Jacob (8 November 2024). "Camber wins back-to-back Championship rounds at Buckmore". Bournemouth University. Retrieved 8 December 2025.

51°20′35″N 0°30′5″E / 51.34306°N 0.50139°E / 51.34306; 0.50139

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