Thruxton Circuit
Motorsport race track in England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Thruxton Circuit is a 2.356 mi (3.792 km) motor-racing circuit located near the village of Thruxton in Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, about 30 mi (48 km) north of Southampton.
 Main Circuit (1968–present) | |
| Location | Hampshire, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°12′37″N 1°36′2″W |
| FIA Grade | 3[a] |
| Owner | Thruxton Circuit Ltd |
| Opened | 1950 |
| Major events | Current: BTCC (1979–present) BSB (1990, 1996–2019, 2021–present) Former: FIM Endurance World Championship Thruxton 500 (1960–1964, 1969–1977) TCR UK (2024) British F3 (1977–2008, 2010, 2014) British GT (1994–1996, 2000–2005, 2007–2008) BOSS Formula (1996, 1998–2000) Formula 3000 (1985) Formula Two (1968–1984) Formula 5000 (1970–1971, 1974–1975) |
| Website | https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/ |
| Main Circuit (1968–present) | |
| Length | 3.793 km (2.357 mi) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:01.960 ( Earl Goddard, Reynard 95D, 2000, F3000) |
| Main Circuit (1952–1964) | |
| Length | 4.437 km (2.757 mi) |
| Turns | 8 |
| Race lap record | 2:00.000 ( Tony Rolt, Connaught Type A, 1953, F2) |
| Original Circuit (1950–1952) | |
| Length | 3.042 km (1.890 mi) |
| Turns | 6 |
It has hosted motorsport events including the British Touring Car Championship, British GT Championship, British Formula One Championship, British Formula Three, and GB3 Championship. It is often referred to as the "Fastest Circuit in the UK" where drivers can reach speeds of over 190 mph (300 km/h). To illustrate this, Damon Hill drove his Williams Formula One car around the circuit at an average speed of 147 mph (237 km/h) in 1993.
The site also houses the headquarters of the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC).[1]
History
Background (1942–1967)
The site was originally constructed in 1942 as RAF Thruxton, a World War II airfield which was home to both the RAF and USAAF and was used for troop-carrying aircraft and gliders, including operations during the D-Day landings.[2] Also, the paratroopers who took part in the successful Bruneval Raid (Operation Biting), in which German radar equipment was seized on the coast of France, took off from here.[3]
Establishment (1968–1999)
The circuit, which follows the line of the airfield's perimeter road, was established in 1968. From 1950 to 1965, motorbike races had taken place on the runways and perimeter road.[4]
Modern developments (2000–present)
Thruxton Circuit was resurfaced in 2000, resulting in lap times dropping considerably compared to the previous year. In 2020, further safety developments were completed at Church, one of the fastest sections of the Thruxton Circuit.[5] A new spectator viewing area has been constructed around Noble, extending through towards Goodwood.[6] In 2025, Thruxton introduced a new spectator area known as the Woodham Hill Bank, located on the approach to the Club chicane.[7]
Motorsport activities
Owing to planning restrictions, the circuit can only run 12 days of motorsport each year. Currently, three are devoted to motorbike racing, with a weekend dedicated to the British Superbike Championship, Britain's premier motorcycle racing category; with the third day being used for club racing.
The remaining days are devoted to car and truck racing with weekends being used for the TOCA British Touring Car Championship, the British Truck Racing Championship, the Thruxton Retro and the remaining days are allocated to other organising clubs, such as the 750 Motor Club or the Classic Sportscar Club. Owing to the relative infrequency of race meetings, Thruxton continues to be a popular part of the motorsport calendar.
Events
- Current
- May: British Truck Racing Championship
- July: British Touring Car Championship, F4 British Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, Thruxton Retro
- August: British Superbike Championship, Moto4 British Cup, BMW F900R Cup
- Former
- BOSS GP (1996, 1998–2000)
- British Formula 3 International Series (1977–2008, 2010, 2014)
- British GT Championship (1994–1996, 2000–2005, 2007–2008)
- European Formula 5000 Championship (1970–1971, 1974–1975)
- European Formula Two Championship (1968–1984)
- FIM Endurance World Championship
- Thruxton 500 (1960–1964, 1969–1977)
- International Formula 3000 (1985)
- TCR UK Touring Car Championship (2024)
Lap records
The all-time outright unofficial track record is 0:57.6 seconds, set by Damon Hill in a Williams FW15C, during a demonstration run in 1993.[8] As of August 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Thruxton Circuit are listed as:
