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”’Buckmore Park Kart Circuit”’ is an [[Motor Sports Association|MSA]] approved outdoor kart racing circuit located just off junction 3 of the M2 in [[Chatham, Kent|Chatham]], Kent, England. The circuit is owned by [[Rich Martell]] and Leonora Martell-Surtees, daughter of the late John Surtees, with Phil Ling serving as Managing Director.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zambartas |first1=Daniel |title=From the brink of closure to plans for a game-changing motorsports centre – the tale of Buckmore Park |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-east/from-the-brink-of-closure-to-plans-for-a-game-changing-motorsports-centre-the-tale-of-buckmore-park |website=insidermedia.com |publisher=Insider Media |access-date=8 December 2025}}</ref>

”’Buckmore Park Kart Circuit”’ is an [[Motor Sports Association|MSA]] approved outdoor kart racing circuit located just off junction 3 of the M2 in [[Chatham, Kent|Chatham]], Kent, England. The circuit is owned by [[Rich Martell]] and Leonora Martell-Surtees, daughter of the late John Surtees, with Phil Ling serving as Managing Director.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zambartas |first1=Daniel |title=From the brink of closure to plans for a game-changing motorsports centre – the tale of Buckmore Park |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-east/from-the-brink-of-closure-to-plans-for-a-game-changing-motorsports-centre-the-tale-of-buckmore-park |website=insidermedia.com |publisher=Insider Media |access-date=8 December 2025}}</ref>

Situated in a woodland setting between the [[M2 motorway (Great Britain)|M2]] and [[M20 motorway|M20]] motorways directly above [[High Speed 1]], its proximity to London makes it Britain’s busiest circuit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Motorsport icon John Surtees buys leading Kent race track where Lewis Hamilton learned his trade|url=http://www.courier.co.uk/Motorsport-icon-John-Surtees-buys-leading-Kent/story-26328535-detail/story.html|accessdate=16 October 2015|work=Kent and Sussex Courier|publisher=Local World|date=14 April 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016184512/http://www.courier.co.uk/Motorsport-icon-John-Surtees-buys-leading-Kent/story-26328535-detail/story.html|archivedate=16 October 2015|location=wayback machine}}</ref> With seven different fleets of kart, the circuit offers karting experiences for all ages and experience levels.

Situated in a woodland setting between the [[M2 motorway (Great Britain)|M2]] and [[M20 motorway|M20]] motorways directly above [[High Speed 1]], its proximity to London makes it Britain’s busiest circuit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Motorsport icon John Surtees buys leading Kent race track where Lewis Hamilton learned his trade|url=http://www.courier.co.uk/Motorsport-icon-John-Surtees-buys-leading-Kent/story-26328535-detail/story.html|accessdate=16 October 2015|work=Kent and Sussex Courier|publisher=Local World|date=14 April 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016184512/http://www.courier.co.uk/Motorsport-icon-John-Surtees-buys-leading-Kent/story-26328535-detail/story.html|archivedate=16 October 2015|location=wayback machine}}</ref> With seven different fleets of kart, the circuit offers karting experiences for all ages and experience levels.

Kart racing circuit in Kent, England

Buckmore Park Karting Circuit

Aerial view of Buckmore Park Kart Circuit
Location	Chatham, Kent, England
Coordinates	51°20′35″N 0°30′5″E
Capacity	1000 spectators (estimated)
Owner	Rich Martell
Major events	MSA Race meetings, National Championships, Bambino Club meetings, Junior Club meetings, Grand Prix League, Elite Series, Iron Man, Man of Steel, Arrive & Drive, Corporate events, Private hires, 24-hour endurance race
Surface	Asphalt
Length	0.9 km (0.56 mi)
Turns	12
Race lap record	0:37.82 (DD2) (Amanda Lassu, DD2 Kart, 2007)

Buckmore Park Kart Circuit is an MSA approved outdoor kart racing circuit located just off junction 3 of the M2 in Chatham, Kent, England. 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.^[1]

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.^[2] With seven different fleets of kart, the circuit 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 (F2, Ferrari Driver Academy), Jack Aitken, and Alice Powell.^[3] Although Buckmore Park is primarily a race circuit, it also has on-site conference and catering facilities.

In July 2025, Buckmore Park received planning permission for “The Paddock”, a new motorsport-themed venue on the circuit site. 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 intented to pay tribute to Formula One champion John Surtees and is expected to create around 30 new jobs upon opening.^[4][5]

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.^[6]

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.^[7]

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, Man of Steel, Iron Man, 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.^[8]

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.

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.^[9]

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.^[10]

Ownership transitioned fully to John Surtees in 2015, and later to Rich Martell and Leonora Martell-Surtees.^[11]

/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

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