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The history of Buckmore Park

Buckmore Park Kart Circuit was initially constructed in 1963 as a national venue of 600m. Unfortunately, although initially popular, the circuit lacked investment and in 1985 Bill Sisley, the UK’s leading karting specialist, was asked to take over the dilapidated venue and develop it into a world class facility.

Over the last 25 years, millions of pounds has been invested in Buckmore Park, which has become nationally accredited as one of Europe’s leading outdoor karting facilities for the development and training of drivers, racing, and leisure karting for both children and adults. The last 10 years has also seen a massive increase in corporate entertainment in both individual and team karting, together with off-road driving events.

Bill Sisley comments: “Buckmore Park Kart Circuit is a success story. In these uncertain times our near 50 years of operating experience, together with our proven track record, speaks volumes. When I first came here the circuit only catered for 1,000 visitors per year. Last year we entertained over 100,000 clients and hundreds of corporate groups. Buckmore Park Kart Circuit is professionally managed and my personal commitment to the venue’s continued success is ongoing. Customer care has always been the hallmark of our success with a staggering 60% annual repeat business and 30% referral rate. Its successful mode of operation can be duplicated worldwide.

As part of the ongoing development of Buckmore Park, a new clubhouse was opened in 2003 by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. On the day, Bernie said: “Buckmore Park is where I would be racing if I was 10 years old again — I must try and persuade my daughter to sign up to race here.”

Sport and Leisure Development
Kart circuit consultancy

John Surtees OBE with former British champion and Buckmore protege Johnny Herbert and Bill Sisley


Sports and Leisure Development ltd (SLD) is a company specialising in the development of motorsport facilities and services, primarily karting venues, on a worldwide basis. It has been created through a partnership between John Surtees, a seven times World Motorcycle champion, Grand Prix Formula 1 world champion and American Sports Car champion (who has also constructed grand prix cars and run a successful Formula 1 team) and Bill Sisley, who has spent a lifetime in karting, developing and racing his own karts prior to moving into the management and development of the international 1200m Buckmore Park Kart Circuit near London in the UK — Europe’s market leader.

The consultancy team that John and Bill have put together operate on a worldwide basis and offer services enabling clients to develop existing venues, or to construct new venues on a turn-key basis, both to national and international level. SLD is able to provide all the expertise required and will work closely with local contractors and suppliers.

The consultancy package includes an initial free of charge meeting at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit in the UK to ascertain the client’s aims and expectations. This meeting will also cover advice on circuit design, track surface and infrastructure, the acquisition of equipment including karts, engines and clothing, and day-to-day operational and downstream activities. SLD consultants can train local personnel and drivers if required, and can also provide the expertise to promote events to a full international standard for either competition or corporate competitors.

The advice given is based on the success of Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, which is used as a model and is acknowledged as one of the world’s finest competition circuits for both the development and training of racing drivers, as well as the promotion of arrive 'n' drive for individuals, tourist karting, children’s karting and the organising of corporate events.


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