Kirkistown Circuit
Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit is a permanent motorsport circuit located between the villages of Kirkistown and Portavogie, on the Ards Peninsula of County Down in Northern Ireland.
 Rallying at Kirkistown Circuit | |
| Location | County Down, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54.456°N 5.469°W |
| Owner | 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland |
| Opened | 1953 |
| Former names | RAF Kirkistown |
| Main circuit | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.53 mi (2.46 km) |
The circuit is owned and operated by the 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland (500 MRCI), who opened the circuit in 1953[1] on the site of the former RAF Kirkistown Royal Air Force airfield. Kirkistown's main circuit was laid out using portions of the aerodrome's major east–west runway and northern perimeter roadways. In its present configuration, Kirkistown's track length is 1.53 mi (2.46 km)[2] and it is Northern Ireland's only MSA-licensed permanent race track.[3] In addition to the 500 MRCI's own events and other automobile circuit racing series, Kirkistown also hosts races for karting, rallying, rallycross, motorcycle and supermoto classes. Various Duathlon and running and cycling events (in aid of Belfast Tandem Cycling Group) are also held on a regular basis including an officially measured series of 5k and 10k races regarded as one of the fastest and flattest courses in the province. For details see http://www.niduathlon.com/races.html
References
- Lynas, Ian; Young, Richard. "Circuit History: Kirkistown – The story so far..." Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit. 500MRCI. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- "Guide to Kirkistown racing circuit". Its My Motorsport. J. Frankin-Pryce & Its My Ltd. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- "Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit". Discover Ireland. Tourism Ireland. Retrieved 3 February 2013.