| Location | Chatham, Kent, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°20′35″N0°30′05″E / 51.34306°N 0.50139°E |
| Capacity | 1000 (spectators, estimated) |
| Owner | Martell-Surtees Family |
| Operator | Buckmore Park Karting Ltd. |
| Address | Buckmore Park, Maidstone Road, Chatham ME5 9QX, England |
| Broke ground | 1963 |
| Opened | 1963 |
| Architect | Royal School of Military Engineering (original layout) |
| Former names | Buckmore Park Kart Racing School (facility) |
| Major events |
|
| Website | www |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 900 m (0.56 mi) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Banking | None |
| Race lap record | 0:37.82 (Amanda Lassu, DD2 kart, 2007, DD2) |
| Club Circuit | |
| Length | 0.60 km (0.37 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
| /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 |
| 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