A guide to the Rockingham Circuit

Rockingham Motor Speedway is a major achievement in itself, having taken many years to come to fruition. It is the UK's fastest track and the first purpose-built banked oval circuit since Brooklands. The infield track can be run in different combinations and the teams are well catered for with 36 pit garages.

There are six different layouts altogether at Rockingham; the International Circuit, with 13 turns, is the longest at 2.6mi. The Banked Oval Circuit (four turns) is the shortest (1.5mi), fastest and the most exhilarating. Other layouts include the Historic, Motorcycle, Club and School circuits.

Jimmy Vasser holds the current record for the Oval Circuit at 25.251 seconds, set in October 2002; while Tony Worsick is the record holder for the International, at 1 minute, 32.880 seconds, set in July 2001.

British Superbikes and Days of Thunder race meets are the favourites here but the circuit also stages regular car and bike track days where you can take your own machine out and put it through its paces. Drivers are split into groups of beginner, intermediate or advanced and can take to the sweet curves of the National Circuit, or even head on to the International Circuit, which incorporates a section of the awesome Rockingham Oval.

Rockingham has excellent facilities including grandstand spectating points from all around the circuit, with a view of 85 per cent of the track from any position. The circuit has permanent seating for 7,500 in the Rockingham building, with additional seating for another 20,000 elsewhere on the circuit. Food is available from a paddock burger van and toilet facilities are located between the garages.