13 replies to this topic

[Rodaknee]

Buckmore Park, the Kent karting circuit is likely to close, because the local council has refused planning permission to build on their car park.

 

Johnny Herbert, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton all drove there in the past.

 

https://www.kentonli...ejected-244723/

 

 

[krapmeister]

You can add me to the list of who has driven there in the past.

Really sad to hear this - loved that track. Was great fun. Hopefully they can somehow pull through but it doesn't sound good

Edited by krapmeister, 29 March 2021 - 21:28.

[Clatter]

You can add me to the list of who has driven there in the past.

Really sad to hear this - loved that track. Was great fun. Hopefully they can somehow pull through but it doesn't sound good

I've raced there as well. It's amazing how some businesses with millions, or even billions, in the bank get handouts, whereas smaller businesses can't get the help they need.

[SparkPlug86]

I race here 2-3 times a year. Its a fantastic little track... managed to grab a podium on my last club 100 race pre-covid. I'll be gutted if it closes down... time for a crowd funding page I think!

[JustNotFastEnough]

They'll probably build leasehold shared ownership flats, starting from £399k. Then advertise £100k for a 25% stake, paying rent on the remainder (part buy - part rent) while marketing it as a great deal for prospective new buyers.

[Peat]

I've raced there as well. It's amazing how some businesses with millions, or even billions, in the bank get handouts, whereas smaller businesses can't get the help they need.

 

It's decided on something as arbitrary as square footage of the venue. Ridiculous. 

I wonder If the situation would have been different if they hadn't kicked owner/driver to the kerb (in favour of rental only). Other tracks have been open for testing during this lockdown. 

[ForzaGTR]

Very sad news, their statement also eludes to the covid impact. I wonder, does Lewis Hamilton know about this? Would he help?

[cpbell]

Buckmore Park, the Kent karting circuit is likely to close, because the local council has refused planning permission to build on their car park.

 

Johnny Herbert, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton all drove there in the past.

 

https://www.kentonli...ejected-244723/

Short-sighted on the part of the council, IMO.

[DS27]

I live 10 minutes from Buckmore Park, and raced RC cars there as a kid, and then 100cc karts there many years later. Would be such a shame if it closed.

[BRG]

Buckmore Park, the Kent karting circuit is likely to close, because the local council has refused planning permission to build on their car park.

Not according to that article.  They wanted to rent or lease out the overflow car park, not build on it.  Buckmore seems to have pretty much turned themselves into a fun kart venue rather than a serious race track, so the golden days of Herbert, Button, Hamilton and indeed Surtees seem to have already gone anyway.  

[flingsofdeon]

Not according to that article. They wanted to rent or lease out the overflow car park, not build on it. Buckmore seems to have pretty much turned themselves into a fun kart venue rather than a serious race track, so the golden days of Herbert, Button, Hamilton and indeed Surtees seem to have already gone anyway.

Mainly down to the length of the track meaning international races had to go to PFI - I remember seeing extension plans a while ago that didn’t come off. It’s a fantastic circuit. Something that I would love to see MSV buy

[pdac]

Not according to that article.  They wanted to rent or lease out the overflow car park, not build on it.  Buckmore seems to have pretty much turned themselves into a fun kart venue rather than a serious race track, so the golden days of Herbert, Button, Hamilton and indeed Surtees seem to have already gone anyway.  

 

Did I read a different article? The first line reads

 

Owners of a popular karting circuit warn it could be closed or sold after planners rejected a lifeline planning application.

 

 

 

Maybe the use of the word "likely" is what you're questioning. But "possibly" is right there in the first line.

[Peat]

IIRC - 'Planning' is a cover-all phrase which includes things like 'change of use', not specifically bricks and mortar. 

[Sterzo]

This is heart-rending news. Absolutely love the place, the most enjoyable circuit to race on, with attractive surroundings and a good atmosphere. I suspect (though don't know) that John Surtees subsidised the place quite heavily, as part of "putting something back" into the sport. His daughter, who currently runs it, may not be in a position to do the same.

 

Contrary to the implication of some articles, they have received grants during the Coronavirus crisis, though not all they wanted. Also, it's said they were already in difficulty before the crisis. Hire karting everywhere has declined in the last decade and maybe that's affected what they can charge. I disagree with criticisms that they've focused on hire karting. The conundrum for every racing circuit is how to fund the massive infrastructure costs from occasional Sunday meetings. Utilising the circuit all day every day is what you need to do. Ask Jonathan Palmer. Also, they have introduced thousands of people to karting and motor sport.

 

The reasons for the planning application being turned down are: "proliferation of materials, clutter and associated paraphernalia being stored in the open, increased lighting and significant intensification in activity".which, I hate to say, doesn't sound unreasonable given the fabulous North Downs location. The map shows the overflow car park they're talking about is in fact the paddock area for owner-driver meetings, so the change might, just might, exclude future championship meetings there.

 

Let's just hope someone with deep pockets comes forward and keeps the circuit open.

 

Here are links to further articles:

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...d-kent-56576690

 

https://www.kentonli...inances-243565/

Edited by Sterzo, 01 April 2021 - 10:39.