The track re-opened in November 2009, after closing in June 2008 with crippling debts. The track hasn’t changed dramatically from the original layout, but changes are very noticable, and that, coupled with new management, a new name and a new fleet of karts marks the start of a new era for the circuit.
Heading down the start-finish straight, Turn 1 is a sharp right-hander, which requires a slight lift upon entrance, but braking is not necessary (in the dry anyway!). The track is also very narrow at this point, so overtaking is virtually impossible. Turn 2 is also a right-hander, and can just about be taken flat, and again is not an overtaking opportunity. Then comes another blast down a straight, though there is a right-left-right kink (not shown on drawing) before Turn 3. Another right turn it’s the first hairpin and the first overtaking opportunity on the track. Though not much of an overtaking opportunity, you have to be supremely confident if you are going to make a move, as braking too late will see either run ridiculously wide, or even end up in the wall. Turn 4 immediately follows, another hairpin, but this time to the left. It can be taken flat as you will be travelling slowly at this point having just negotiated Turn 3.
Turn 5 is a sweeping left-hander, which can again be taken flat, though turn 6 will need a slight lift, as it is a right-hand hairpin. The run up to Turn 7 sees the track become extremely wide, so you may have enough time to go rond any slow-moving karts before you reach the corner, which is another right-hander. A good exit is vital, as there is a straight leading up to Turn 8, a left hand-hairpin, and the slowest part of the track, hence providing a good overtaking spot. However the straight between turns 7 and 8 is rather narrow again, so should the driver defend against you, it will be very difficult to pass. A longer straight after Turn 8 sees another slight kink to the right before reaching Turn 9. Turn 9 is probably the best corner on the circuit, a long sweeping left hander, which can just about be taken flat if you are brave and confident enough, though you have to be inch-perfect to make it work, if you realise you aren’t going to pull it off you have plenty of time to lift or brake, failure to do this however will see you in the wall on the exit of the corner. However, get it right and you will steal a march on the karts around you going into Turn 10.
Turn 10 is a right-hand hairpin, and probably the best overtaking opportunity on the track (though others will argue Turn 8), as its wide and you will have had plenty of time to get alongside the kart in front. Turn 11, is another right-hander, with the pit entrance branching off to the left, before the final turn of the track, Turn 12, was originally a stupidly narrow chicane, designed to slow the karts down as they go along the start/finish straight. Thankfully, the owners saw sense and made it somewhat wider, and it is now flat out. As you exit the chicane, watch out for karts leaving the pits as they filter in.
- Jon Beagles – 49.590
- Mark Foley – 49.898
- Marcus Stuttard – 50.225
- Tom Smith – 50.608
- Josh Overhill – 50.782
- Sam Firth – 50.949
- Liam Lau – 50.956
- Dan Reynolds – 51.531
- Mike Miller - 51.800
- Adam Hibberd – 52.211
- Paul Hutton – 52.644
- Tom Buxton – 52.687
- Roger Palmer – 54.393
- Ben Rea – 54.624
- Roaul Louw – 56.505
- Gaz Lockwood – 56.933
- Tom Wilkinson – 58.419
- Phil Shelley – 60.309
- Laurel Deegan – 63.278
