A KARTING circuit that helped to train F1 racing legends is under threat of closure amidst redevelopment plans.

The closure plans include redeveloping the land into a luxury holiday village.

Go-kart track on a cloudy day with green grass and trees in the background.The current go-karting track on siteCredit: BNPS

A man and two boys, all wearing racing gear and hats, smiling and holding helmets.
Like Hamilton and Button, Norris began his racing career on these tracksCredit: BNPS
A man leans over to assist a young child in a go-kart, with a "WARNING MOTOR SPORT CAN BE DANGEROUS" sign in the background.

Karting trainer Rob Dodds with a young Lando NorrisCredit: BNPS
The owner of the Clay Pigeon leisure complex in Dorset plans to redevelop the spot into a luxury holiday village.

The track can be found by the A37 Dorchester to Yeovil road.

The development would mean building over the highly-regarded race track where the F1 drivers cut their teeth with hundreds of holiday lodges.

Button, the 2009 Formula One World Champion, trained regularly at the venue during his early career.

Lewis Hamilton won his first race on the 815 metre long circuit now earmarked for demolition.

And Lando Norris, the current F1 World Champion, began karting at Clay Pigeon Raceway at the age of seven.

The track currently offers a 815‑metre course, allowing speeds of up to 60mph.

These features have cemented the facilities reputation amongst world-class drivers.

Illustration of a proposed housing development plan with numerous residential units, roads, and several small ponds.
Mock-ups of the proposed redevelopmentCredit: BNPS
 

Illustration of a community of buildings, trees, and water bodies.
The site includes wildlife pondsCredit: BNPS
If it went ahead, the decision would include scrapping the current go‑kart circuit, shooting ground, and caravan park.

It would be replaced with wooden lodges, wildlife ponds, and hotel amenities.

Despite the looming closure, the track have stated online that they have no intention to close.

A decision over the track’s future was also deferred today after a parish council was not given the opportunity to comment on the application.

Speaking to Bridport News, the meeting’s Chairman Richard Crabb said: “This application will most likely be heard at the Northern Area planning committee in April.

“I can only apologise.”

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Hamilton’s first win was on this same trackCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

Lando Norris wearing a McLaren F1 team cap and headphones with a microphone.

The current F1 World Champion started with humble roots at the trackCredit: Shutterstock Editorial