Next month, Buckmore Park karting circuit will celebrate its 50th birthday with motorsport legends coming to join in the fun.
Who would have thought way back in 1963 when an Army training exercise created a small 400 metre go-kart track on the top of Bluebell Hill in the woods at Buckmore Park, that it would grow to become an internationally recognised kart racing venue visited by everyone from Royal Princes to Formula 1 stars and movie legends?
When circuit owner Bill Sisley took over the reins in the mid 80s he was already a driving force in the sport and very soon brought the circuit up to competition standards.
One early Buckmore success was Johnny Herbert who worked for and was trained by Bill Sisley as he worked his way up the karting ladder to become British Karting Champion. He went on to success in Formula 1 where he raced in 160 Grand Prix’s from 1989 to 2000. Johnny is now perhaps better known to a young audience as Sky TV’s F1 expert analyst.
Johnny still keeps in touch with Bill Sisley and will be attending the circuit’s 50th Anniversary race meeting over the weekend of 19th and 20th October.
Even royalty began beating a path to the circuit. In 1992 the late Princess Diana brought the two young Princes, William (11 years) and Harry (8 years), to the circuit where the boys clearly had a great time.
As the circuit continued to expand, other drivers who were soon to become household names raced at the venue and used it to hone their growing skills.
Jenson Button was a regular visitor as a youngster in the early nineties and then in 1996, at a national karting championship at the circuit, Lewis Hamilton , 12 at the time, was spotted by F1 McLaren boss Ron Dennis and subsequently signed to race for McLaren on a long term basis which ultimately led to his F1 debut many years later.
The venue is visited frequently by stars of stage and screen, confirming that everyone enjoys the thrill and excitement of karting on the same circuit that has been the launch pad for future world champions.
Bill Sisley says “When I was a young man I was told that only racing drivers could drive karts and there was no way you could make a living out of running a kart circuit. That was 50 years ago! I thought this was nonsense then and I have proved that anyone can drive a kart, whether it be a 4 year old on a birthday party or a 86 year old grandmother.”
“I don’t distinguish between an owner driver, a hire karter or a corporate guest, they are all customers to me. I think Buckmore has been such a commercial success for so many years because that’s always been our philosophy, ‘karting for all’.”
“When I first came here the venue was totally dilapidated and was about to close. There was no infrastructure at all and in 1985 only 1000 people came here all year. Last year over 150,000 actually took part at some kind of event here.”
“Although competition karting is my passion and we have a 50 year sporting heritage, it now only represents 5% of our business. It’s our educational and training side that is very important now working with local schools, colleges and universities and training young drivers aged between 6 and 16 by way of our clubs.”
“Our adult clubs are also over-subscribed with over 3500 members racing regularly, using our equipment. We are open 7 days a week, all year around, day and night.”
“The circuit is working closely with the local tourist associations and Visit Kent to promote the Kart circuit as a tourist attraction and long term, the aim is to become a motor based multi-activity centre for all ages from 4 upwards.”
The 50th anniversary race meeting, over the weekend of 19th and 20th October, will be a very special weekend for the circuit, along with wheel-to-wheel racing by some of the best junior and senior kart racers in the country.
The meeting incorporates the IDD contracts, ABkC ‘O’ Plate event for ages 8-13 years where the UK’s top young drivers fight for the right to display the coveted ‘O’ number plate for the 2014 season.
Further races include events for 12-16 year olds and classes for adults (ages 16 plus). Special lunch time displays include F1’s and Buckmore old boy Johnny Herbert demonstrating a restored 135cc Bill Sisley manufactured Cobra/Komet kart which he used to win the British karting Championships in 1982.
Further demonstrations include a high speed demonstration by the current Under 18 World Champion Henry Easthope, using the very latest 100 mph plus 125cc international equipment and a display by the British Historic Kart Club of machinery from 1961 – 1982.
Last but not least, circuit owner Bill Sisley, a kart champion himself in the 60s and 70s, and his son Tom, a multi-kart and car champion in the 90s will demonstrate a 1959 ‘Yellow Peril’ which was Britain’s first prototype go kart.
Motor racing legend John Surtees, OBE, (P8 – John Surtees, Johnny Herbert and Bill Sisley) the only man to win the World Championship on two and four wheels, is a friend of the circuit and his late son Henry started racing karts at Buckmore as an 8 year old.
Even after Henry’s tragic death in a freak motor racing accident at Brands Hatch, John continues to be heavily involved at Buckmore and the future is exciting. As after many years of negotiation, John Surtees, who has been supporting the circuit since 2001, has purchased the freehold of the land on which Buckmore Park Karting hold the leasehold interest and has also purchased an additional 90 acres of woodland surrounding the kart track.
John’s dream is to create a legacy for Henry at Buckmore by creating a centre of excellence and further training loops for future British racing drivers and engineers. There should be some exciting news in the near future.
Chris Pullman, Buckmore’s Club Director and COO says that “Kart racing is fast and furious and you will see more overtaking in one kart race than you will see in a whole year of Grand Prix racing.”
“Most likely one of the young drivers you will see in the meeting will be Britain’s next F1 driver in the year 2023. All the current British F1 drivers drove at Buckmore including Max Chilton and Mercedes reserve driver Sam Bird who started their careers here.”
The meeting starts with unofficial practice on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th. Racing starts on Sunday at 10.30 am. Spectators are welcome – £5 per head on the day. Pre-bookable tickets £4 per head. Under 14s free. Car parking included. No dogs allowed.
For more details contact the circuit at Buckmore Park Karting Ltd on 01634 661626 or email [email protected].