Clay Pigeon Raceway in Dorset, a karting circuit credited with launching the careers of Formula 1 champions Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Jenson Button, is set to close at the end of the year. Councillors have approved plans to demolish the track to make way for 226 holiday chalets, a decision that has drawn significant opposition from the motorsport community.
The venue, which has been a fixture in British motorsport since the late 1950s, received 164 objections from individuals and organizations across the country, including Motorsport UK and the Association of British Kart Clubs. Dan Parker, head of Karting Motorsport UK, stated that the track has played a crucial role in British karting for decades and its loss will be deeply felt. He noted that only a handful of tracks in the UK are capable of hosting events of the same caliber as Clay Pigeon.
Lewis Hamilton won his first race at the 815-meter circuit, and Lando Norris began his karting journey there at the age of seven. Jenson Button also frequently trained at the venue during his formative years.
Motorsport enthusiasts, parents of young drivers, and circuit owners have expressed concerns that the closure will severely impact grassroots racing. Clay Pigeon Raceway is one of only 33 officially licensed kart tracks in the United Kingdom, with the nearest alternative located 45 miles away.
Despite reservations from some councillors regarding the loss of the racetrack and the scale of the proposed development, the plans were approved with a 5-3 vote. Councillors acknowledged the track's sporting heritage and its importance for developing new talent, with one noting its suitability due to its remote location, which minimizes noise concerns.
Southern Counties Leisure, the owner of the site, argued that the track is financially unviable, generating minimal profit and no income for the landowner. Their proposal includes timber holiday lodges, landscaped grounds, a wildlife pond, and hotel amenities. The company projects that the new leisure site will create approximately 138 jobs, inject £5.8 million annually into the local tourism economy, and reduce noise pollution in the surrounding area.
The development is planned in phases, with the kart track expected to be removed in the later stages. However, the track is slated to cease racing operations by the end of the 2026 season, irrespective of the planning decision.
