Buckmore Park Puts Students On Fast Track To Career In Motorsports

Buckmore Park, the Kent karting circuit, is on a mission to help keen karters who believe they have what it takes to become a champion, get on pole position.

The owners of the international standard circuit have unveiled the Buckmore Park Driver Development Programme, designed to give 15 individuals, aged between 12 and 25, essential skills for on and off the track.

Thanks to the involvement of Rochester Motor Club a number of scholarships for the programme will also be offered.

The intensive week-long Development Programme will put its first cohort in karts and in the classroom on 19 August and has enlisted a number of motorsport experts to help mentor the students. If successful, the programme will then run 3 times a year with the aim of developing a future British or World Champion from the academy by 2035.

The industry specialists joining the students include senior representatives from McLaren F1, Formula E and British Touring Cars; Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello’s former performance coach; Lando Norris’ former head of communications; and experts on telemetry, team building and human dynamics, plus fitness and nutrition.

As well as using the latest industry standard simulators, the students will train in Buckmore Park’s RT10 karts with a top speed of 60mph, as well as the 75mph Club 100 karts.

Leonora Martell-Surtees, co-owner of Buckmore Park and daughter of John Surtees, who was seven-times motorcycle world champion and Formula One world champion, said: “As this will mark 60 years since my father became the Formula 1 World Champion we wanted to try and kickstart other successful careers in elite motorsport, something he was incredible passionate about doing. Karting is still today the most accessible route into the world of motorsport.

“Being successful in motorsport is more than just sitting behind the wheel of a kart or car and being the fastest on the track, so we’ve gathered together people who are themselves leaders in the industry who share our passion for racing.

“Even before getting to the grid drivers need to be able to raise sponsorship, interpret telemetry and be able to talk to the media and that is why we are wanting to give these skills to the drivers who take part in the week-long academy.”

The involvement of Rochester Motor Club has made it possible to create a £10,000 scholarship fund available to support local driving. As a result, Buckmore Park is able to provide a £1,000 scholarship to 10 drivers who come from low-income households. Rochester Motor Club were involved in the construction of the first karting track back in 1963.

Rich Martell-Surtees, Chairman of Buckmore Park, said: “Karting still offers relatively low-cost entry into the world of motorsport, but we know that many young people and their families are struggling due to the cost of living challenges. We are therefore delighted that Rochester Motor Club is joining us on this important journey to find and develop the next Lewis Hamilton or Lando Norris, who all experienced early success at Buckmore Park.”

Demand for the places for the week-long Driver Development Programme, which cost £1,950 per person is expected to be high as it is thought to be the only course of its kind in the country. The week culminates in a graduation ceremony and prize giving.

Buckmore Park is located at the top of Bluebell Hill, between the M20 and M2. For more information on karting at Buckmore, visit www.buckmore.co.uk